Complementary Medicine

Complementary medicine means a selection of therapeutic and diagnostic disciplines that are considered to be outside the realm of what traditional health care supplies. Complementary medicine use is on the rise and we are beginning to see an ever increasing use within the healthcare practice. Uncertainty still remains regarding what it is and what types of complementary medicines should be included under this term in relation to conventional medicine.

Complementary medicine is the process of using two or more treatments together to be used to complement each other. You may also hear the terms, alternative medicine or unconventional medicines when discussing complementary medicine. This change of expression for complementary medicine may account for some of the confusion that surrounds the subject.

Below are some examples of complementary medicines and treatments: Acupressure, Acupuncture, Aromatherapy, Chiropractic Herbal Medicine, Homoeopathy, Hypnosis, Massage, Meditation, Nutritional Therapy, Osteopathy, Reflexology, Reiki, Yoga.

There are an increasing number of patients that are seeking information about complementary medicines, so there is a need for medical staff of all levels to have a good working knowledge of the subject, and what benefits it can bring to treating patients. Because complementary medicines are generally thought of as being outside what is considered as traditional healthcare, patients do not always see the health service staff as a good resource for information and advice on complementary medicines.

There is a good supply of information on certain therapies identified as being most common. In the case of each therapy attempts are being made to understand and recognize the organization that is responsible for qualified and non qualified practitioners. Therapy advice is supplied on what would benefit the patients the most.

The main problem for health professionals is how complementary medicine treatments differ in how they approach the problems the patient is suffering and ensure that any treatments are used appropriately and effectively.

It seems that more and more people are turning away from the regular orthodox medicine they receive at hospitals, GPs and pharmacists and are now looking for alternative forms of medicine to help with illness or other complaints.

There have been six main practices identified in complementary medicine as being important: these are acupuncture, chiropractic, osteopathy, herbal medicine, homeopathy and hypnotherapy. We feel it only a matter of time before the majority of other complementary medicines and alternative treatments are also accepted.