Complementary Therapy (Alternative Therapy)
Is as the name suggests a form of therapy or medicine that "complements" conventional treatments, it is variously known as Complementary Therapy, Alternative Therapy, or Holistic Therapy. (Examples of further terminology are described below)
Practitioners are consequently referred to as complementary therapists, alternative therapists, healers, complementary medicine providers, holistic therapists etc.

There is evidence that many of these alternative therapies have been in use for centuries, recent years have seen (particularly in the Western World) a rise in the popularity of these Complementary Therapies. Millions of people now subscribe to Complementary Health and use complementary therapies worldwide, and demand for these therapies is still growing.
About half of GPs, in the UK, now provide some kind of access to this form of therapy. Although Britain came late to complementary therapies. It is estimated by practitioners that demand for these therapies has increased by up to 30% in the last ten years.
It is currently estimated that 3 in 10 local health authorities in Britain now offer some form of alternative therapy to patients and that as many as one third of people in the United Kingdom have tried at least one form of alternative therapy, usually for the treatment of various problems such as backache, arthritis, or headaches migraine.

Much has been written on the subject of Complementary Therapies and Health (we have a wide range of articles elsewhere on our website) and a great deal of information and opinion is available on the internet.

Complementary Therapy is also referred to as Alternative Therapy, Holistic medicine is a narrower term. We have included a few definitions of Complementary Therapy showing how this "non conventional" form of healing is variuosly referred to.

Complementary Therapy
Complementary therapies offer a variety of "complementary" treatments, outside the scope of conventional medical practice, and are often used alongside standard treatments -- e.g. nutritional supplements, herbal remedies, massage, acupuncture, energy work, etc.

Complementary Medicine
The term complementary medicine is used by conventional medical practitioners to refer to non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical techniques which are used in conjunction with medical treatments such as drugs and surgery. The term implies that conventional medicine is used as a primary tool and the non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical techniques are used as a supplement when needed.

Alternative Therapy
A variety of treatments, outside the scope of conventional medical practice, and used instead of standard treatments -- e.g. nutritional supplements, herbal remedies, massage, acupuncture, energy work, etc.

Alternative Medicine
A broad category of alternative treatment systems (e.g. chiropractic, herbal medicine, acupuncture, homeopathy, naturopathy, and spiritual devotions) or culturally based healing

Integrative medicine
Is defined for USA usage by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Therapies, combines conventional medical treatments and alternative and complementary treatments for which there is some high-quality scientific evidence of their safety and effectiveness
An increasing desire for wellness, in response to today’s stressful lifestyle, has led to the rising demand for Complementary Therapy and Alternative therapies. It is true that many people are becoming disenchanted with conventional medicine's drugs and the approach to healing. On the other hand, Complementary therapies tend to be "holistic", where an individual's health is considered as a whole and treatment not just focused on the symptoms. Complementary therapy employs "natural" methods to aid the healing powers of the body to return to a state of health. Treatment is holistic; that is it takes into account every aspect of a patient and not just on the health symptoms that he or she is experiencing.

It is highly recommended that you use a qualified practitioner who is a member of a regulatory body. By law, chiropractic and osteopathy practitioners must be registered with the appropriate professional bodies

In the United Kingdom, there is an organisation that monitors CAM therapists known as British Register of Complementary Practitioners. On their site, they say "The British Register of Complementary Practitioners (BRCP) is a professional register of practitioners who have proved their competence to practice by either completing an approved course or through an assessment made by the Registration Panel. They also agree to observe a Code of Ethics and Practice and have full practitioner insurance." This helps monitor the quality of CAM in the UK and reduces the risk of quackery

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