Definition of complementary medicine

“Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a broad domain of healing resources that encompasses all health systems, modalities, and practices and their accompanying theories and beliefs, other than those intrinsic to the politically dominant health system of a particular society or culture in a given historical period. CAM includes all such practices and ideas self-defined by their users as preventing or treating illness or promoting health and well-being. Boundaries within CAM and between the CAM domain and that of the dominant system are not always sharp or fixed.”

Complementary and Alternative therapies refer to a series of health care treatments that are not usually part of conventional or Western medicine. These types of treatments can include Acupuncture, Aromatherapy, Biodiagnostics, Cupping Therapy, Cupping Massage Therapy, Fertility Male and Female Therapy, Homotoxicology , Homeopathy, Homeopathic Meso-therapy, Relaxation sound therapy,  relaxation techniques, nutritional supplements and traditional healing.

What is complementary medicine?

When you use regulated healthcare services in the UK – for example your local GP surgery, health Centre or hospital – the vast majority of the time you’re diagnosed and treated according to the principles of what we might call conventional medicine. For a treatment to be offered, there needs to be evidence that it’s beneficial for the problem being treated, and that these benefits outweigh any risks. 

Complementary medicine refers to a group of therapeutic and diagnostic disciplines that exist largely outside the institutions where conventional health care is taught and provided. Complementary medicine is an increasing feature of healthcare practice, but considerable confusion remains about what exactly it is and what position the disciplines included under this term should hold in relation to conventional medicine

In the 1970s and 1980s these disciplines were mainly provided as an alternative to conventional health care and hence became known collectively as “alternative medicine.” The name “complementary medicine” developed as the two systems began to be used alongside (to “complement”) each other. Over the years, “complementary” has changed from describing this relation between unconventional healthcare disciplines and conventional care to defining the group of disciplines itself. Some authorities use the term “unconventional medicine” synonymously. This changing and overlapping terminology may explain some of the confusion that surrounds the subject.