‘Complementary therapies’ is often used to describe treatments used alongside, or integrated with, evidence-based conventional medical treatments. Sometimes people talk of ‘alternative therapies’. However, alternative therapies are used instead of, or independently of medical treatments.
What are complementary therapies?
Complementary therapies can come in the form of:
- herbs
- remedies or tonics
- dietary supplements
- creams
- injections
- powders
- homoeopathic medicines
- vitamin and mineral supplements
- acupuncture
- chiropractic
- body-mind therapies
- manual therapies such as massage, aromatherapy and many more.
Sometimes complementary therapies can be very expensive. Some palliative care services, local health services and hospitals can provide a range of complementary therapies. They may attract a small fee or be free of charge. Health professionals may be able to help access these therapies. Private health insurance also covers some therapies such as acupuncture.
A lot of Australians use complementary therapies, but many have not been properly evaluated. Some have been shown to be helpful, but others don’t have much evidence to support their use. Some therapies may be harmful. It is important to let health professionals, including GPs and community nurses, know if someone is using any complementary or alternative therapies. They will be able to check if there could be side effects or interactions with any medications or medical treatments. It is important also that the complementary therapist knows about current medical treatments or medications.
Because they are not medical treatments, complementary therapies may not be continued when admitted as an inpatient to hospital or a hospice. This is especially true if the doctors and nurses do not know what is being taken. It is best to talk about this with them.
Resources
Related CareSearch Pages
Some of the more common therapies
This page was created on 26 May 2009
Last updated 13 September 2011*