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Complementary health covers a wide range of therapies and treatments and can sometimes appear confusing and complicated but many of the therapies available have been proven to work and could be the answer you are looking for. This article introduces the main types of therapies, explains how they differ from a traditional approach to health and well-being and provides an overview of some of the conditions which might be suitable for complementary treatment.

The best known complementary therapies are acupuncture, osteopathy, chiropractic, homeopathy, aromatherapy and herbal medicine. Other popular therapies include naturopathy, nutritional medicine, massage and reflexology, whilst less known therapies include crystal healing, kinesiology, stone therapy and various kinds of energy medicine. From this statement alone you can see that there are many different types of complementary therapies to choose from.

How does complementary health differ from conventional approaches?

The fundamental principle of complementary health is to take a holistic view of the whole person and adopt a preventative approach to illness where possible. Rather than considering physical symptoms a patient may be experiencing in isolation, an alternative health therapist will take factors such as lifestyle, diet, environment and mental, emotional and spiritual health into consideration when diagnosing an illness or problem. They aim to identify the root cause of the symptoms rather than just treat the symptoms themselves. Treatment is designed to restore health and promote general wellbeing as well as to alleviate the symptoms being experienced.

What can complementary health therapies be used for?

Complementary health therapies are used in the treatment and prevention of a wide range of illnesses and physical problems from general illnesses such as colds and headaches to chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and cystitis. They can also be used successfully to address physical conditions such as back or joint pain or sports injuries.

New research is constantly underway to try and address some of the myths and controversy surrounding complementary health. It is worth noting that some of the therapies used have been part of the medical approaches used by some ancient cultures for centuries; for example traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurverdic medicine from India. There is substantial evidence available to support the positive effects that these therapies can bring.

Complementary therapies are being used alongside conventional medicine more regularly with excellent results. For example some cancer patients now receive complementary therapies alongside their conventional treatments such as chemotherapy to enhance their quality of life and help reduce the side effects of the cancer treatment.

Research is constantly being made available that shows certain types of complementary treatments are particularly well suited to certain ailments. For example I have used homeopathy very successfully for my hay fever and this is well documented as a recommended approach. Asthma and eczema are also particularly responsive to complementary therapies such as acupuncture and herbal medicine.

Complementary therapies are also widely used to alleviate the symptoms of PMT and there are treatments which can sometimes be successfully used as an alternative to HRT for menopausal women.

The information given in this article is for information only and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice. You should always consult your medical practitioner if you are concerned in any way about your health.