Learning Brazilian Portuguese vocabulary for health and wellness is useful if you travel to Brazil, talk about self-care, visit a clinic, or discuss alternative and complementary therapies. Many of these words are similar to English, but pronunciation, gender, and natural usage in Brazil can be different.
In this guide, you will learn common words related to complementary therapies in Portuguese, including yoga, massage, meditation, acupuncture, aromatherapy, and more.
How to Say “Complementary Therapies” in Brazilian Portuguese
In Brazilian Portuguese, complementary therapies can be translated as:
as terapias complementares
complementary therapies
You may also hear:
terapias alternativas
alternative therapies
práticas integrativas
integrative practices
In Brazil, the expression práticas integrativas e complementares is also common in health-related contexts.
Yoga and Relaxation Vocabulary in Portuguese
O ioga / a yoga
In Brazil, you may see both ioga and yoga. The form yoga is very common in daily life, especially in gyms, studios, and social media.
Examples:
Eu faço yoga duas vezes por semana.
I do yoga twice a week.
A aula de yoga começa às sete.
The yoga class starts at seven.
A pose de yoga
a pose de yoga
yoga pose
You can also say:
a postura de yoga
yoga posture
Example:
Essa postura de yoga ajuda no equilíbrio.
This yoga pose helps with balance.
O tapete de yoga / o colchonete de yoga
The book shows o tapete, which means “mat.” In Brazil, for exercise or yoga, people commonly say:
o tapete de yoga
yoga mat
o colchonete de yoga
yoga mat / exercise mat
Example:
Eu preciso comprar um colchonete de yoga.
I need to buy a yoga mat.
A meditação
a meditação
meditation
Example:
A meditação me ajuda a relaxar.
Meditation helps me relax.
O relaxamento
o relaxamento
relaxation
Example:
A música ajuda no relaxamento.
The music helps with relaxation.
Massage and Body Therapy Vocabulary
A massagem
a massagem
massage
Example:
Eu marquei uma massagem para sábado.
I scheduled a massage for Saturday.
A quiropraxia
The image shows a quiroprática, but in Brazil, the more common term is:
a quiropraxia
chiropractic care
The professional is:
o quiropraxista / a quiropraxista
chiropractor
Example:
Ele vai ao quiropraxista por causa da dor nas costas.
He goes to the chiropractor because of back pain.
A osteopatia
a osteopatia
osteopathy
Example:
Ela trabalha com osteopatia e fisioterapia.
She works with osteopathy and physical therapy.
A reflexologia
a reflexologia
reflexology
Example:
A reflexologia é uma terapia que trabalha pontos dos pés.
Reflexology is a therapy that works with points on the feet.
O shiatsu
o shiatsu
shiatsu
Example:
O shiatsu é uma técnica de massagem japonesa.
Shiatsu is a Japanese massage technique.
A acupressão / a acupressura
a acupressão
acupressure
In Brazil, you may also hear:
a acupressura
acupressure
Example:
A acupressão usa pressão em pontos específicos do corpo.
Acupressure uses pressure on specific points of the body.
Energy and Traditional Therapy Vocabulary
O reiki
o reiki
reiki
Example:
Ela fez uma sessão de reiki.
She had a reiki session.
A acupuntura
a acupuntura
acupuncture
Example:
A acupuntura é bastante conhecida no Brasil.
Acupuncture is well known in Brazil.
A ayurveda / a medicina ayurvédica
The book shows o aiurveda, but in Brazilian Portuguese, it is more natural to say:
a ayurveda
ayurveda
or:
a medicina ayurvédica
Ayurvedic medicine
Example:
Ela estuda medicina ayurvédica.
She studies Ayurvedic medicine.
O feng shui
o feng shui
feng shui
Example:
Ele gosta de feng shui para organizar a casa.
He likes feng shui to organize the house.
Natural Products and Herbal Therapy Vocabulary
Os óleos essenciais
os óleos essenciais
essential oils
Example:
Os óleos essenciais são usados na aromaterapia.
Essential oils are used in aromatherapy.
A aromaterapia
a aromaterapia
aromatherapy
Example:
A aromaterapia usa aromas para promover relaxamento.
Aromatherapy uses scents to promote relaxation.
A fitoterapia
a fitoterapia
herbal medicine / herbalism
Example:
A fitoterapia utiliza plantas medicinais.
Herbal medicine uses medicinal plants.
À base de plantas
à base de plantas
plant-based / herbal
Example:
Este produto é à base de plantas.
This product is plant-based.
O suplemento alimentar
o suplemento alimentar
dietary supplement
Example:
Ele toma um suplemento alimentar todos os dias.
He takes a dietary supplement every day.
Mental Health and Therapy Vocabulary in Portuguese
A psicoterapia
a psicoterapia
psychotherapy
Example:
A psicoterapia pode ajudar no autoconhecimento.
Psychotherapy can help with self-knowledge.
O psicoterapeuta / a psicoterapeuta
o psicoterapeuta
male psychotherapist
a psicoterapeuta
female psychotherapist
Example:
Ela marcou uma consulta com a psicoterapeuta.
She scheduled an appointment with the psychotherapist.
A terapia de grupo
a terapia de grupo
group therapy
Example:
A terapia de grupo ajuda as pessoas a compartilharem experiências.
Group therapy helps people share experiences.
O orientador / a orientadora
o orientador
male counselor / advisor
a orientadora
female counselor / advisor
In Brazil, orientador can mean counselor, advisor, or mentor, depending on the context. In mental health, you may also hear terapeuta.
Example:
A orientadora conversou com os alunos.
The counselor spoke with the students.
Other Complementary Therapy Words in Portuguese
A homeopatia
a homeopatia
homeopathy
Example:
A homeopatia é uma prática conhecida no Brasil.
Homeopathy is a known practice in Brazil.
A hipnoterapia
a hipnoterapia
hypnotherapy
Example:
A hipnoterapia usa técnicas de hipnose.
Hypnotherapy uses hypnosis techniques.
A hidroterapia
a hidroterapia
hydrotherapy
Example:
A hidroterapia usa água em tratamentos terapêuticos.
Hydrotherapy uses water in therapeutic treatments.
A naturopatia
a naturopatia
naturopathy
Example:
A naturopatia combina diferentes práticas naturais.
Naturopathy combines different natural practices.
A cristaloterapia
a cristaloterapia
crystal healing
Example:
A cristaloterapia é uma prática alternativa.
Crystal healing is an alternative practice.
O estresse
o estresse
stress
In Brazil, estresse is the standard spelling.
Example:
A meditação pode ajudar a reduzir o estresse.
Meditation can help reduce stress.
Quick Vocabulary List: Complementary Therapies in Brazilian Portuguese
| English | Brazilian Portuguese |
|---|---|
| complementary therapies | as terapias complementares |
| yoga | a yoga / o ioga |
| yoga pose | a pose de yoga / a postura de yoga |
| yoga mat | o tapete de yoga / o colchonete de yoga |
| massage | a massagem |
| meditation | a meditação |
| relaxation | o relaxamento |
| chiropractic care | a quiropraxia |
| chiropractor | o/a quiropraxista |
| osteopathy | a osteopatia |
| reflexology | a reflexologia |
| shiatsu | o shiatsu |
| reiki | o reiki |
| acupuncture | a acupuntura |
| acupressure | a acupressão / a acupressura |
| ayurveda | a ayurveda |
| aromatherapy | a aromaterapia |
| essential oils | os óleos essenciais |
| herbal medicine | a fitoterapia |
| plant-based / herbal | à base de plantas |
| supplement | o suplemento alimentar |
| psychotherapy | a psicoterapia |
| psychotherapist | o/a psicoterapeuta |
| group therapy | a terapia de grupo |
| counselor / advisor | o orientador / a orientadora |
| homeopathy | a homeopatia |
| hypnotherapy | a hipnoterapia |
| hydrotherapy | a hidroterapia |
| naturopathy | a naturopatia |
| crystal healing | a cristaloterapia |
| stress | o estresse |
Important Note About Health Vocabulary
These words are useful for learning Portuguese and talking about wellness. However, complementary therapies should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In Portuguese, you can say:
Procure um profissional de saúde.
Seek a health professional.
Converse com seu médico antes de iniciar um tratamento.
Talk to your doctor before starting a treatment.
Conclusion
Learning Brazilian Portuguese vocabulary for complementary therapies helps you talk about health, wellness, relaxation, and self-care more naturally. Words like massagem, meditação, acupuntura, aromaterapia, and psicoterapia are common in Brazil and useful in everyday conversations.
For English speakers learning Portuguese, this topic is also helpful because many words look similar to English, but the pronunciation and article gender are different. Practice the words with examples, and you will feel more confident talking about health and wellness in Brazilian Portuguese.
