Types of Complementary Health
Combined Therapies | Mind & Body | Natural
Complementary health is normally referred to as Complementary and Alternative Medicines, or CAMs, and can be used in combination with conventional medicine or is used in place of mainstream medicine. Whatever you decide, it is always advisable to visit your local health practitioner first to discuss any CAMS treatment you are considering.
This is because some treatments may react with a medicine you are already prescribed and a good knowledge of the side effects should be discussed and the dangers involved be made aware to you.
Complementary and Alternative Medicines
In the UK, according to the NHS website, it is only osteopathy and chiropractic treatments that are regulated under statutory professional regulation. Any other CAMs therapies or treatments are unregulated and as such should be researched before committing to a treatment. There are increasingly more voluntary regulation bodies appearing though.
There are many cases of people benefiting from the treatments of CAMs on the web, but be aware that there are some who have treated people poorly too. The difference here is that a medical practitioner is held accountable to the general medical council, whereas a CAMs practitioner is not legally required to adhere to a particular standard or association.
It is the norm that CAMs practitioners take their role very seriously and you will more than often be treated with the care and individuality you deserve. Please responsibility research a therapy and a therapist before committing your most precious asset, your body, to someone else.
Currently, there is much research on the benefits of CAMs treatments and many ongoing studies to their effectiveness of them. Conventional medicine has made many new discoveries in curing the devastating effects of a disease or illness. This cannot be ignored, however, there are many more ways to understand illness and treat it than only from a scientific basis.
Since we as humans are living organisms, there are many interactions within our bodies with foods, the environment and most importantly, the way our brains interpret the world around us.
For example; Stress often leads to many illnesses that conventional medicine can treat, but cannot cure until the initial cause, the stress has been removed. This is where CAMs becomes integral in a combined treatment program.
The way a CAMs practitioner looks at an individual as a whole is one of its most noteworthy features because as a whole, one can see what issues are causing a particular symptom to flare up.
In the treatment of incurable diseases, there are CAMs practitioners who may suggest that alternative treatment is a better form of treatment than conventional treatments. This may be the case, however, we at Mostly Health, advise that you seek out all the information you can to make an informed decision before you stop any prescribed medication.
The information found within these pages is to open up the area of complementary treatment and for discussion to take place on how best to be treated and what to look for in a CAMs practitioner.
We hope you share with us your thoughts on the treatments and results you have had.
The NHS offers a list of questions you should ask a practitioner during your initial consultation. They include:
You could ask for:
- the cost of treatment
- how long the treatment will last
- are there any people who should not use this treatment
- what side effects might the treatment cause
- is there anything you should do to prepare for treatment
- what system does the practitioner have for dealing with complaints about their treatment or service
- documentary proof of their qualifications
- documentary proof that they are a member of their professional association or voluntary register
- documentary proof that they are insured
- written references
NHS Defining assessed 20/07/2017
Mind & Body Therapies
These therapies can often be used in conjunction with conventional medicine and also separately to it. It equally is not governed by any organisation other than voluntary ones set up for that purpose. There is no requirement for practitioners to belong to or be a part of an organisation or association associated with these practices.
It has often been found that mind and body treatments offer real tangible results in stress and pain relief, but as always, if you are being treated for a medical condition, please consult your own medical practitioner first to discuss your intentions.
This is not to persuade you from using alternative therapies, but rather to be informed of any possible conflicts in treatments and known side effects before committing to a program.
Relaxation therapies are often an excellent way to maintain and improve your health and sense of well being. If you are unhealthy, check before participating in any workouts or plans to ensure your own physical safety. Movements may appear slow or minimal but may result in a greater exertion than your normal day to day movements.
Practitioners are mostly thought of this and will take into consideration your level of fitness and abilities to participate, however, there is no reason not to be sure before commencing.
Vitamins and Mineral Supplements (Natural)
In the UK vitamin, mineral and amino acids are all governed by the Food Standards Agency and as such fall under the general food law such as the Food Safety Act.
A food supplement is defined as ‘any food for the purpose of which is to supplement the normal diet and which is a concentrated source of a vitamin or mineral or other substance with a nutritional or physiological effect, alone or in combination and is sold in dose form’.
Food Standards Agency accessed 20/07/2017