What is complementary medicine?

Author: Zollman C//Andrew V
Conference/Journal: British Medical Journal
Date published: 1999
Other: Volume ID: 319 , Issue ID: 7211 , Pages: 693 , Word Count: 100


Complementary medicine, once called 'alternative medicine' consists of
various methods of approaching healing from disciplines other than the
allopathic medicine we call conventional. It is termed complementary because
it is often used together with conventional medicine. Most tend to have
a holistic approach, with disease the result of physical, psychological,
social, and spiritual disturbnace. A list of such forms would include:
acupressure, acupuncture, Alexander technique, applied kinesiology, anthroposophic
medicine, aromatherapy, autogenic training, Ayurveda, chiropractic, cranial
osteopathy, environmental medicine, healing, herbal medicine, homoeopathy,
hypnosis, massage, meditation, naturopathy, nutritional therapy, osteopathy,
reflexology, Reiki, relaxation and visualisation, Shiatsu, therapeutic
touch, yoga and others.