Complementary

Complementary medicine is a name that many doctors prefer for "alternative medicine".

Many treatments that used to be called "alternative" can instead complement the use of mainstream medical treatments.

It's just as important to make sure a complementary treatment is safe as in orthodox medicine. Just because a medicine is "natural" doesn't guarantee that it is safe, in fact many of our medicines have been derived from plants originally, for example, aspirin, digoxin, and steroids. If these are used incorrectly they can do more harm than good.

Herbal remedies may interact with conventional ones, for example St John's wort and the contraceptive pill.

It's important to make sure that the complementary therapist is reputable, and that they are registered with their governing body when applicable. Just as in conventional medicine, the wrong advice can be dangerous.

Not all complementary therapies cannot be relied upon to make a diagnosis and may not be a substitute for conventional medicine, if you are not sure please come and discuss your concerns with us.

Try the following websites for information about some of the complementary therapies

The regulatory organisation for chiropractors

www.gcc-uk.org

The professional body that regulates osteopathy

www.osteopathy.org.uk

One of the professional bodies regulating homeopathy in the UK

www.homeopathy-soh.org

Another organisation regulating homeopathy. Its members are all doctors as well.

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Complementary Medicine

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