Complementary and Alternative Therapies by Pat Pellatt Introduction

What is complementary medicine?  Any treatment that is not ‘conventional’  Used alongside conventional medicine  Holistic approach – does not only look at symptoms but at whole person  Lifestyle, emotions, beliefs, community, environment  Long consultations – sometimes several treatments may span a long period of time.  Not usually invasive  Some examples: Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Indian Head Massage, Swedish massage,

What is Alternative medicine?  Treatment is holistic.  Takes into account the whole person :  Not necessarily used alongside conventional medicine  For example : Traditional Chinese Medicine, Herbal Medicine, Homeopathy, Acupuncture

Why are people using CT?  Dissatisfaction with conventional medicine  culture at odds with conventional treatments treatments  Religion at odds with conventional treatment  Prejudice against science  Ethical reasons (for example against animal experimentation)  Conventional treatment has not worked