What are complementary therapies?
Complementary therapies are treatments outside the mainstream medical practice. Complementary therapies are not the same as alternative therapies. Complementary therapies are used alongside traditional treatments while alternative therapies are used instead of them. The Cancer Council Australia has a position statement Complementary and Alternative Therapies that highlights the main issues.

Complementary and alternative therapies can come in the form of herbs, remedies or tonics, dietary supplements, creams, injections, powders, homoeopathic medicines, vitamin and mineral supplements and so on. The US National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine provides a good overview of various types of therapies in their document What is CAM? (complementary and alternative medicine).

A lot of Australians use complementary therapies, yet many are not clinically tested. Some are helpful, but others don’t have much evidence to support their use. Some therapies that are outside the mainstream and untested may be harmful. The Bandolier website and the Quackwatch website contain information on evidence and issues relating to different therapies.

The Cancer Council of NSW has produced an information sheet to help consumers make choices about the use of complementary therapies called Complementary and alternative therapies: Making an informed decision.

Sometimes complementary therapies can be very expensive. Some palliative care services provide them, as do some local health services and hospitals. They may be free of charge or for a small fee. Ask your health professional if they know of any. If you have private health insurance some therapies such as acupuncture may be covered.

Tell your healthcare team if you’re using complementary therapies
It is important to tell your health professional if you are taking or using any complementary therapies. They will be able to tell you if there could be side effects or drug interactions with the treatments you are having. It is also important that your complementary therapist knows what treatments you are having or medicines you are taking.

Because they are not medical treatments, your complementary therapies may not be continued if you are an inpatient. It is best to talk about this with your doctor. The Better Health Channel has a webpage called Complementary medicines - tell your doctor.

What are some of the more common therapies?
Some of the more common therapies are explained here, with links to further information and organisations:

• Acupuncture
  Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine needles into specific sites in the body and may help a wide range of disorders. The following site also provides further information
  Australian Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Association 
  Phone: (07) 3846 5866 or national practitioner referral Freecall: 1300 725 335
  Information, practitioner search, news and publications.
• Aromatherapy 
  Aromatherapy uses natural essential oils to enhance well being and relieve stress. The following site has more information.
  Australian Aromatic Medicine Association
  Phone: 0500 800 579
  Information about natural health care techniques & practices based on essential oils, and finding a therapist
• Homoeopathy
  Homoeopathic medicine mimics or provokes the symptoms of a patient's disease to strengthen the body's ability to heal itself.  Link to the following sites for more information.
  Australian Association of Professional Homoeopaths 
  Phone: 1800 214 872
  Information on homoeopathy and links to members' clinics.
  Australian Homoeopathic Association 
  Phone: (03) 5979 1558
  Promotes homoeopathy in Australia and registered practitioners
• Meditation 
  Meditation is well known as a self-help tool for promoting good health and for stress management.
• Music therapy
  Music therapy uses music to stimulate positive changes in four areas of human functioning. The following link provides more information. 
  Australian Music Therapists Association
• Naturopathy
  Naturopathy uses a number of methods to promote the balancing of the body so that illness is less likely to occur in the future. Link to the following site for more information. 
  Australian Naturopathic Practitioners Association
• Osteopathy
  Osteopathy uses manipulation of the body to treat a wide range of symptoms and illnesses. The following link provides more information.
  Australian Osteopathic Association
  Phone: 1800 467 836
  Information about osteopathy.
• Pet therapy
  Pet therapy uses trained animals and their handlers to provide benefits such as lower high blood pressure and help in pain management.
• Reflexology
  Reflexology applies pressure on various points on your feet, hands and ears to help address stress, anxiety, and tension. The following link provides further information.
  The Reflexology Association of Australia
  Phone: (07) 3396 9001 or Reflexology Hotline: 0500 502 250
  Information on reflexology and finding a registered practitioner. Hotline links you to a representative or practitioner in your state.
• Therapeutic massage
  The benefits of this ancient form of massage include the relief of pain or anxiety and improving circulation.

Choosing a therapist
It is important to always choose a qualified complementary therapy practitioner. The different therapies will often have regulatory bodies, and they will be able to help with finding a therapist. Some palliative care services may have contacts for complementary services.

The US website Cancerbackup provides some tips on choosing a therapist, which may be helpful. The Australian Natural Therapists Association has information on natural therapies and finding a registered practitioner.

This page was created on 26 March 2007 and is due for review in March 2009