relies on surgical interventions and pharmaceutical drugs to identify and treat disease. It relies on medical imaging studies, laboratory tests and other objective, i.e. quantifiable, measurements. These approaches are also known as biomedical.

integrating complementary approaches with conventional medicine. The idea of sustainable health is to promote long-term well-being with positive effects for the planet and individuals. Reducing the need for medication is one example. It can also be described as integrative health.

based on subjective assessments and holistic principles, i.e. taking into account the whole person (emotional, intellectual, social, spiritual and physical). Costs are generally lower, and there are fewer potential side-effects. The emphasis is on improvement and prevention, rather than treatment, which remains typical of conventional medicine. Various recognized synonyms, without distinction, are alternative medicine, parallel medicine and alternative approaches.

These are organizations or individuals with a cultural, economic or social interest in Nicoya;

They are instructors, practitioners, specialists, therapists or others. They present themselves as people certified in complementary health approaches who meet Nicoya's admission criteria. They may also be consultants who intervene in response to mandates.