-Describe and explain a range on complementary therapies
The term complementary medicine is used by conventional medical practitioners to refer to nom-invasive, non-pharmaceutical techniques which are used in conjunction with allopathic medical treatments such as drugs and surgery. The term implies that sometimes conventional medicine is used as a primary tool and also a non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical complementary technique is used as a supplement when needed.
Complementary medicine has become an increasing feature of healthcare practice, but there still remains some confusion about what exactly complementary therapy is and what position the techniques included under this term should hold in relation to conventional medicine.
Complementary therapy is based on the interaction between the mind, body and the energy systems combining them; this holistic approach to healing is found useful for the treatment of many conditions, such as asthma, migraine, insomnia and stress. Reflexology, acupuncture, massage and reiki are some popular examples of holistic complementary therapies.
Complementary therapies fall into four main types of therapy; 1. Hands on, body manipulation therapies like acupuncture. 2. Energy based therapies like reiki 3. Mind body interaction therapies like EFT 4. Therapies based on other systems
Patients or carers don’t have to have a particular health need to use complementary therapy. People often use them to maintain their general well-being or as something to treat themselves to. Most people can use aspects of a variety of complementary therapies as a means of support, which is safe and effective.
Holistic – Holistic therapy is a generic term for any treatment/therapy session that is intended to treat the individual as a whole on all levels – mind, body and spirit. Most complementary or alternative therapies could be regarded as holistic.
Alternative – When an alternative medicine or therapy is