Complementary Medicine

What is complementary medicine?

Complementary medicine is a term used for a wide variety of health care practices that may be used along with standard medical treatment.

People often use yoga, meditation, and other complementary practices to improve wellness and quality of life. But in recent years, more people in the United States have been turning to complementary medicine to help treat a wide range of conditions from hot flashes to high blood pressure. Other examples of complementary medicine include acupuncture, herbal remedies, naturopathic medicine, massage therapy, and light therapy.

Is research being done on complementary medicine?

Even though most complementary therapies and medicines have been in use for hundreds or even thousands of years, many have not been subject to the same rigorous scientific testing for safety and effectiveness that standard medical treatments go through before they are approved in the United States. In many cases, the very nature of a complementary therapy, such as music therapy or prayer, can make it difficult or impossible to evaluate by the same scientific methods or criteria.

But more research is being done on complementary therapies. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and other offices of the National Institutes of Health provide information to the public and to health professionals on the use and effectiveness of complementary medicine therapies. NCCAM's goal is to develop guidelines to help people choose safe and appropriate alternative and complementary therapies.

Should I use complementary medicine?

Before you use complementary medicine, think about what motivates you. Why are you considering complementary medicine? Are you looking for a cure? Or are you looking for greater comfort and improved quality of life? Seeking a "cure" through complementary medicine alone can be disappointing. Set realistic expectations, and beware of false or exaggerated claims. Many complementary therapies can improve health and quality of life, but if a medicine or therapy sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Choose a primary doctor who is open-minded about using complementary medicine. Consult your primary doctor for help in making decisions about using complementary therapies.

What are the risks of complementary medicine?

Even though facilities, medicines, and practitioners of conventional medicine are closely monitored and regulated in the United States, complementary medicines and therapies may be subject to less testing and regulation. Many practitioners of complementary therapies are extensively educated in their field, but depending on where they practice, it may be difficult to know whether practitioners are experts in their fields.

One risk involved with using alternative medicine is that you might miss a necessary or possibly lifesaving treatment. For example, you might try to treat cancer with an unproven complementary therapy instead of using a conventional treatment such as surgery or chemotherapy that is known to help. It is always best to get as much information as possible—on both complementary and conventional treatments—and then discuss your options with a doctor who is open to discussing them.

It is also important to remember that just because a product is natural does not mean it is harmless. There have been a few serious problems—and, in some cases, deaths—resulting from taking complementary medicines. Also, some complementary therapies have the potential for dangerous interactions with conventional therapies. Be sure to tell your doctor about any complementary therapies you are using or are thinking of using.

What are the benefits of complementary medicine?

Some complementary therapies work as well as conventional therapies. They often cost less and have fewer side effects. For example, acupuncture can reduce arthritis pain with fewer side effects than medicines, and St. John's wort has recently been shown to treat mild to moderate depression as well as a commonly prescribed antidepressant medicine while causing fewer side effects.

Another benefit of complementary medicine is in the more holistic, "whole person" approach of many of its practitioners. Most complementary medicine practitioners and many medical doctors use this approach, which considers your lifestyle, background, and habits, in addition to your physical health. It provides a more complete health picture and more effective way to treat many diseases. This personal approach makes many people feel better about their practitioner, their treatment, and their medical condition.

A person who uses a complementary therapy often benefits from a sense of empowerment. In seeking care outside conventional medicine, you are taking a more active role in your health care that can make you feel more in control of your health.

Science has shown that your emotional state can affect your health. Many people respond well to complementary treatments because they often address your sense of well-being as well as the condition itself.