Complementary and Alternative Complementary and Alternative TherapiesTherapies

by Pat Pellattby Pat Pellatt

IntroductionIntroduction

What is complementary medicine?What is complementary medicine?

Any treatment that is not ‘conventional’Any treatment that is not ‘conventional’ Used alongside conventional medicineUsed alongside conventional medicine Holistic approach – does not only look at symptoms but at Holistic approach – does not only look at symptoms but at

whole personwhole person Lifestyle, emotions, beliefs, community, environmentLifestyle, emotions, beliefs, community, environment Long consultations – sometimes several treatments may Long consultations – sometimes several treatments may

span a long period of time.span a long period of time. Not usually invasiveNot usually invasive Some examples: Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Indian Head Some examples: Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Indian Head

Massage, Swedish massage, Massage, Swedish massage,

What is Alternative medicine?What is Alternative medicine?

Treatment is Treatment is holistic. holistic. Takes into account the Takes into account the whole whole person :person : Not necessarily used alongside conventional Not necessarily used alongside conventional

medicinemedicine For example : Traditional Chinese Medicine, For example : Traditional Chinese Medicine,

Herbal Medicine, Homeopathy, AcupunctureHerbal Medicine, Homeopathy, Acupuncture

Why are people using CT?Why are people using CT?

Dissatisfaction with conventional medicineDissatisfaction with conventional medicine culture at odds with conventional culture at odds with conventional

treatmentstreatments Religion at odds with conventional treatmentReligion at odds with conventional treatment Prejudice against sciencePrejudice against science Ethical reasons (for example against animal Ethical reasons (for example against animal

experimentation)experimentation) Conventional treatment has not workedConventional treatment has not worked