1. Complementary & Alternative Health Care Approaches
Complementary and Alternative Health Care Approaches have become more widely used amongst Australians
The syllabus requires you to understand the reasons for growth as well as the range of products available

2. Reasons for Growth of Complementary & Alternative Health Products and Services
82% of Australians use complementary and alternative health products and services
Complementary health products and services are used together with western medicine
Alternative health products and services are used instead of western medicine
Complementary and Alternative health products and services include:
Natural medicines (herbs, nutrition, homeopathy - Chinese medicine, supplementation (vitamins/minerals, oils etc), physiological treatments (physio, osteotherapy, remedial massage, OT’s, acupuncture) and energy based treatments (crystals, some forms of massage, acupuncture etc)
Reasons for growth include:
Increased creditability, growing multiculturalism of Australia, health insurance cover, professional associations being made and Australians seeking a more holistic approach to health

3. Reasons for Growth of Complementary & Alternative Health Products and Services
GP’s state there is little evidence for the proposed benefits of complementary and alternative health products and services, however, there is evidence to suggest otherwise
The University of Technology Sydney has added a research centre on complementary and integrative medicine - University of Technology Sydney
Further credibility is given as practitioners gain tertiary qualification in order to be registered and practice
Development of regulatory bodies and professional associations has increased the credibility of many complementary and alternative health products and services. For eg – The Australian Traditional Medicine Society is one such body, as is the Australian Natural Therapies Association.
Health insurance cover has come with the introduction of regulatory bodies and professional associations and the increased demand for use of complementary and alternative health products and services

4. Reasons for Growth of Complementary & Alternative Health Products and Services
Growth of multiculturalism, particularly from eastern (Asian) countries has brought about a growth in complementary and alternative products and services.
For many cultures, their traditional medicines are their primary health care providers – including traditional Chinese medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture, herbal medicine etc
There has been a change amongst Australian society with a growing choice for holistic and ‘natural’ treatment methods over drugs and technology.
Many are using complementary and alternative health products and services to both prevent and treat illness and disease

5. Range of Products and Services Available
In Australia there is a huge range of products and services available in complementary and alternative health care
These include:
natural medicines (herbs, nutrition, homeopathy, Chinese medicine etc), supplementation (vitamins, minerals, oils, protein, vegetable powders etc), physiological treatment (physiotherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic therapy, exercise physiology, remedial massage, occupational therapists, acupuncture etc), and energy based treatments (crystals, some forms of massage, acupuncture, reiki etc)
A Naturopath uses natural products to strengthen the immune system and speed up the healing process. They improve their diets or utilise nutritional supplements
An Osteopath focuses on musculoskeletal issues to help the body function normally. Utilise mobillising techniques, joint manipulation and massage

6. Range of Products and Services Available
Shiatsu is a form of massage that focuses on the energy flow of the body. They utilise trigger point therapy to release specific points of the body in order to balance the energy flow of the body.
Western practitioners refer to Shiatsu affecting the hormonal, circulatory and lymphatic systems as well as the releasing of muscles and relaxation provided all improving the body’s self-healing abilities.

7. Range of products and services available
Type
Description
Acupuncture
Uses fine needles to stimulate change in the energy balance of body to restore health. Can be used for pregnancy and stress also
Aromatherapy
Uses oils from nature (plants, flowers) to stimulate or relax the body. Can also maintain resistance from disease.
Chiropractic
Manipulation of the spine to correct spinal displacements
Herbal Medicine
Herbs are used following traditional customs as an alternative to pharmaceutical drugs.
Iridology
Diagnoses the state of the body from examination of the iris (eye)
Naturopathy
Based on the belief that the body can heal and maintain itself. Herbs, vitamins, and diet are used to help the person take responsibility for their own health. Many terminal cancer patients try this method. Can be used also for adhd treatment also.
Reflexology
Reflexes in the feet and hands relate to most the body and can promote healing and relaxation.
Yoga
Yoga has been found to reduce stress and lower blood pressure through a combination of breathing exercises, physical postures and meditation.
Osteopathy
Osteopathy involves manual deep-tissue massage and the manipulation of the spine, joints and surrounding tissue to alleviate back pain, joint problems and muscular disorders

8. How To Make Informed Consumer Choices
It is important for people to know how to make informed consumer choices.
Consumers need to critically analyse complementary and alternative health care approaches.
Consumers need to seek answers to the following questions:
How do you know who to believe?
What do you need to help you make informed decisions?

9. How do you know who to believe?
To determine who to believe, there are a range of things a person should look for:
Qualifications
Registrations
Regulations
Research
Government websites can be helpful and provide some information on complementary and alternative health care
A better way to source information is to seek information from academic journals or academic professionals (professors, associate professors and PhD doctors)
Websites with edu in their domain are educational institutions registered with the goverment

10. How do you know who to believe?
When seeking information from people to make informed choices, it’s important to ensure they are people with experience and qualifications in that particular field
Ask:
What qualifications do you have? (Bachelor over a certificate)
Are you registered? (Registered with an appropriate body)
What evidence is there for this treatment? (provide detailed evidence)
Are their side effects? If so, are they common? (explain side effects)
Will treatment affect other treatments?(Explanation of interaction with other treatments)
Also seek out multiple people before making a final decision

11. What do you need to help you make informed decisions?
In order to make an informed decision, you should gather relevant information from reliable sources (registration bodies or professional associations)
Consult your GP for any advice
Information should include:
Philosophy behind the treatment
Process of the treatment
Possible side effects
Qualifications needed to provide treatment
Academic evidence for the effectiveness of the treatment

12. PAST HSC QUESTION!! 2013 Question 22
What should consumers consider before choosing complementary and/or alternative health care approaches? 4 Marks

13. MARKING CRITERIA AND SAMPLE ANSWER
Marks
• Provides characteristics and features of what consumers need to consider before choosing complementary and/or alternative health care approaches 4
• Sketches in general terms what consumers need to consider before choosing complementary and/or alternative health care approaches
2–3
• Provides an example of complementary and/or alternative health care approaches OR
• Provides an example of a consumer consideration when choosing complementary and/or alternative health care approaches 1
Sample answer:
It is important for consumers to ensure that alternative and complementary health care practitioners have a formal education and are certified by a registered authority. Consumers of these approaches need to know whether they can be combined with conventional medicines and treatments and whether they are likely to improve or decrease health outcomes. A consumer should know there are risks (including death) that may occur by using some alternative and complementary approaches.