Complimentary Therapy
Complementary therapy refers to a range of treatments that are used alongside conventional medical treatments to support overall well-being. These therapies are not meant to replace standard medical care but to "complement" it - hence the name.
The effectiveness of complementary therapies can depend on the type of therapy, the condition being treated, and the individual's response. Here's what research and medical experts generally say:
- Pain relief: therapies have shown benefits in managing chronic pain
- Stress and anxiety reduction: some therapy are widely recognized for reducing stress and improving mood
- Improved quality of life: many patients report better emotional wellbeing and relaxation when using complementary therapies alongside medical treatment
- Not a cure: these therapies typically do not cure diseases but can help manage symptoms and improve overall wellness
The Complimentary & Natural Health Council (CNHC) has been set up with government support to protect the public, by providing a UK voluntary register of health practitioners, with protection of the public as their sole purpose.
They set the standards that practitioners need to meet to get onto and then stay on the register. All CNHC Registrants have agreed to be bound by the highest standards of conduct and have registered voluntarily. All of them are professionally trained and fully insured to practise.
These services are likely to be chargeable unlike the NHS services, but you may find them helpful.
They register the following professions:
- Alexander Technique teaching
- Aromatherapy
- Bowen Therapy
- Colon Hydrotherapy
- Craniosacral Therapy
- Healing
- Hypnotherapy
- Kinesiology
- Massage Therapy
- Microsystems Acupuncture
- Naturopathy
- Nutritional Therapy
- Reflexology
- Reiki
- Shiatsu
- Sports Massage
- Sports Therapy
- Yoga Therapy
Please go to our Wellbeing A-Z main page for more topic areas.