Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches health in a very different way from conventional medicine and it is one that more and more people, patients and practitioners alike, are beginning to integrate into their daily lives, their work and their beliefs about healthcare.

According to Patient UK: “In the UK, research published in 2001  showed that 47% of people have used CAM at some time in their lives and 10% use some form of CAM each year…Over 90% is purchased outside of the NHS. At least 10% of hospital physicians are also thought to use CAM as part of their clinical practice.”

Indeed, complementary and alternative medicine is widely accepted in the UK and widely practiced within the NHS. A survey published in 2003 suggested that 50% of GP practices in England offer some form of CAM, much of it practiced onsite. In another small survey of GPs in the UK and Germany, British GPs made more referrals to complementary practitioners and 70% of UK GPs felt it was safe to prescribe alternative treatment  to their patients.

Of the various forms of CAM, acupuncture is amongst the most popular; approximately 3 million people  undergo acupuncture treatment in the UK each year.  Herbalism, aromatherapy, massage, and reflexology are amongst the other most popular treatments. In addition, across Europe, around a quarter of the population regularly use homoeopathy.

There are many reasons for this growing interest in CAM.

Modern medicine often boasts that, thanks to its innovations and efforts, we are living longer than ever. But focusing solely on longevity means we miss some crucial points about the nature of health and disease. Such as the fact that it is more likely to be advances in hygiene, housing and nutrition, than advances in medicine, that has made the greatest impact on human longevity.

What is more, while we are living longer we are not necessarily living healthier or better, or happier.

In spite of our increased longevity, a growing number of people in their prime report a lack of vitality and vague symptoms that they cannot pin down; symptoms such as insomnia, digestive problems, headaches, respiratory complaints, feeling run down, depressed and being susceptible to every ‘bug’ that is going around.

Similarly although we are living longer we are experiencing less wellbeing and happiness. A major recent survey in the US found that only about one-in-four people are emotionally healthy. It noted that for people under 60 unhappiness is a chronic problem. We may be living longer, we may even be more affluent, but we are not making gains in happiness.

Our collective unhappiness, witnessed by rising rates of depression in the West, is contributing higher rates of physical ill health. According to the World Health Organization, in developed countries, mental illness causes more disability than cancer and heart disease and may even contribute to the development these and other chronic illnesses.

A different approach

Many people begin to investigate complementary therapies as a way of escaping a healthcare system that rarely acknowledge the mind/body connection and doesn’t  seem to know how to treat this loss of vitality. Some also move toward CAM in order to step outside of a healthcare paradigm that sees the patient as a mere collection of symptoms and which is founded on an unequal relationships between patient and practitioner.

For instance, alternative medicine is mostly aimed at self-healing and prevention rather than reacting to and suppressing symptoms as they arise. Similarly, alternative medicine believes in the innate ability of the body to heal itself; conventional medicine believes that only medicine or surgery can cure.

In alternative medicine there is a broader definition of good health that encompasses more than the mere absence of symptoms because, even in the absence of symptoms, a patient’s essential vitality and ability to resist illness may be low. A competent therapist may be able to discern this and work with the patient to help strengthen and maintain a healthy immune system.

In contrast to conventional medicine, which is most at home treating acute diseases, alternative medicine has much to offer those who suffer from chronic complaints. And because many alternative therapies can be practised at home, they also place healthcare squarely in the context of the community rather than in isolated bureaucratic centres.

Because alternative therapies place no boundaries between physical, emotional and mental well being, no aspect of the self is too trivial; posture, lifestyle, beliefs and values, energy and work and their impact on the total picture of a person’s health are all relevant. Again this is in contrast to conventional ideas that look for single causes for single diseases.

The idea of partnership with the therapist is also in opposition to the dominant-subordinate relationships which many doctors and patients have. Because of this there is a certain amount of personal responsibility put upon the individual who seeks alternative forms of care. You must do what you can to help yourself whether it means changing your diet, taking the idea of relaxation seriously and integrating it into your life or taking more exercise.

It may also encompass more difficult tasks such as facing up to uncomfortable aspects of your emotional life, examining your own beliefs and behaviour and looking objectively at some of your relationships and priorities.

The list of mind and body therapies listed on the following page give you an idea of just how many options are open to you when you seek to use complementary medicine. Each link takes you to a page explaining a little about the therapy, what it’s useful for and what you can expect in a typical session.

Click on any of the therapies in the list below to learn more about it.

• Acupressure
• Acupuncture
• Alexander Technique
• Allergy testing
• Aromatherapy massage
• Arvigo and colon massage
• Ayurveda
• Baby massage
• Body stress therapy
• Bowen Technique
• Chair massage
• Chinese herbal medicine
• Chiropractic and McTimoney
• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
• Counselling
• Cranial osetopathy
• Cranio-sacral therapy
• Detox massage
• Ear candling
• Facial rejuvenation massage
• Facial revitalisation (Acupuncture)
• Flower essence therapy
• Foresight preconception care
• Hands-free massage
• Herbal medicine
• Holistic massage
• Homoeopathy
• Hot stone massage
• Hypnotherapy
• Indian head massage
• Iridology
• Kinesiology
• Life coaching
• Manual lymphatic drainage
• Naturopathy/Naturopathic nutrition
• Neuro linguistic programming (NLP)
• Neuro structural integration technique (NST)
• Nutritional therapy with allergy testing
• Osteopathy and cranial osteopathy
• Physiotherapy
• Pilates
• Pre- and post-natal massage
• Psychotherapy
• Reflexology
• Reflexology for pregnancy
• Remedial massage
• Rolfing
• Shiatsu
• Sports massage
• Swedish massage
• Thai massage
• Tui Na massage
• Vitality MOT
• Yoga
• Zero balancing

It is founded on similar principles as acupuncture, believing that imbalances in our body’s vital life energy, Chi, are at the root cause of ill health. Acupressure is a gentle, non-invasive treatment where pressure is applied to specific points along our meridians (energy channels) to balance Chi and restore good health.

What conditions is it used for?

Because of its gentle nature acupressure it is often useful where acupuncture may not be appropriate, i.e. the very young, very elderly or fragile; and for those who have difficulty with needles. Acupressure often has a calming effect; it has been used to help reduce pain during labour and long-term and chronic pain conditions.

People also seek out acupressure for many other conditions including hormonal and menstrual problems; head, shoulder and back pain; circulatory problems; fatigue and digestive disorders.

What to expect

Remaining clothed you will lie on a couch or sit in a chair whilst your practitioner applies pressure to your body, stimulating specific acupoints. The treatment aims to remove tensions held in your body and is often experienced as deeply relaxing.

It’s a traditional form of Chinese medicine based on the understanding that our body’s motivating energy force or Qi (pronounced chi) moves through a network of channels, or meridians, than run beneath the skin. According to acupuncture theory, illness arises from blockages in the energy flow. Therapists insert fine, sterile needles at various points on the meridians to stimulate and rebalance the body’s energy flow in order to promote healing.

What conditions is it used for?

Acupuncture is generally considered a safe and effective treatment for all. It’s often used for pain relief and to help people overcome addictions. Clients also come to acupuncture for many other conditions including arthritis, circulatory problems, infertility, menstrual problems, migraines and stress disorders. Generally, treatment would be aimed at strengthening the constitution and helping prevent illness. Seeing a qualified practitioner gives you the opportunity to discuss your condition with a professional with years of training and experience.

What to expect

Your acupuncturist will ask for a full case history, take the pulse of your energy flow and look at your tongue. They’ll then decide which points to work on. You may feel a tingling or dull aching sensation when the needles are inserted into your skin. Sometimes two or three treatments will be enough, though more often you’ll need a series of sessions over several months.

The therapy aims to help address often long-standing postural habits, patterns of movement, muscular tensions and breathing problems, which can have a negative impact on our ability to recover from injury, aches and pains and to cope with the stresses and strains of everyday life.

What conditions is it used for?

The Alexander Technique has been used to treat back problems, improve stamina, conditions such as respiratory problems and help those who experience panic attacks; it aims to support one’s emotional wellbeing and help bring clarity, calm and confidence to those who adopt its techniques.

It is suitable for a wide range of people including chronic pain sufferers, athletes, performers and public speakers. The Alexander Technique is also considered a safe and effective treatment when used on children and during pregnancy.

What to expect

The Alexander Technique is a subtle discipline which involves the use of gentle hands-on guidance and instruction.  It is delivered in one-to-one lessons, the number of which required depending on the individual’s specific needs.  During the lesson, you may be required to adopt a semi-supine position in order to allow for back support.  The Technique itself allows the individual to practise it whenever and wherever he/she wishes as there are no specific exercises or equipment required.

An allergy is an adverse reaction to a normally harmless substance. Whilst classical food allergies affect just 1.5% of the population and have immediate severe symptoms – such as swellings of the lips and throat, skin rashes and vomiting – there is evidence that many more people are becoming increasingly sensitive to foods and chemicals in every-day use.

What conditions is it used for?

Allergies and sensitivities (also known as intolerances), have been linked to bloating, headaches, fatigue, mood swings, skin problems, asthma and be implicated with chronic illness.

What to expect

There are two popular methods of testing, both of which are non-intrusive, painless and suitable for all ages:

Applied Kinesiology – You will usually be asked to hold a sample of the potential allergen on your belly button. One of your muscles, usually an arm, will then be tested to check for any weakness.

Vega Test – A connection will be made from an acupuncture point on your finger to the Vega machine. This is intended to read your body’s electrical resistance to potential allergens.

The results for both tests are immediate. If any allergies or intolerances are discovered your tester will be able to give you applicable nutritional advice.

Your therapist will carefully choose a blend of essential oils to address your symptoms or mood. These are added to a carrier oils and applied to your skin through massage. There is evidence that aromatherapy can alleviate symptoms associated with stress and relieve tension. Essential oils may also be chosen for their detoxifying properties.

What conditions is it used for?

An aromatherapy session can alleviate stress and tension and often induces a sense of deep relaxation, increased well-being, renewed energy and vigour. Studies demonstrate that regular aromatherapy massage can help with particular ailments including muscle aches and pains, skin problems, indigestion, asthma, insomnia, anxiety and depression.

What to expect

Your aromatherapist will take a case history and decide on the most appropriate blend of essential oils to use. These will be added to a carrier oil and applied to your skin through massage. The oils are absorbed in minute and safe quantities and thus have a direct effect on your body. Aromatherapy is a cumulative therapy; an individual session can be very beneficial but for help with specific problems, or as a preventative treatment, regular sessions are recommended.

This treatment is usually related to either digestive issues or female reproductive organs.

What conditions is it used for?

Abdominal massage can help with bloating, digestive complaints, constipation, IBS, diarrhoea, fatigue and some skin conditions.

Arvigo or Maya Abdominal massage can help with many of the same conditions as above as well and female hormonal complaints, fertility issues and prostate enlargement.

Neither treatment should be used during pregnancy.

What to expect

Following a consultation, in both massages your practitioner will work primarily on your abdomen and lower abdominal area.

Abdominal massage – Your therapist will be trained specifically to massage the intestinal area to aid optimal health.  Massage increases blood circulation and also aids digestion and elimination.

Arvigo/Maya Abdominal massage – this technique addresses the position and health of the pelvic and abdominal organs. It is best known for the correction of the prolapsed or tilted uterus and for the prevention and treatment of benign prostate enlargement in men and for relief of many common digestive disorders.

In Ayurveda the main aim is to balance the physical, spiritual and psychological areas – as it is considered that when a person is out of balance illness can result.  Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space are the five elements comprising the body in Ayurveda and the body, mind, and spirit/consciousness need to be addressed both individually and in unison for health to ensue.

What conditions is it used for?

Ayurveda focuses on four main areas to treat: Cleansing and Detoxification, Palliation (spiritual balancing) and Rejuvenation to build energy following detoxification and Mental Wellness to release negative thoughts and psychological stress.  Ayurveda can be used to help treat many conditions and studies have shown specific positive results with acne, obesity, insomnia, digestive complaints and stress.

What to expect

Your practitioner will give an individually tailored treatment following a consultation that may include supplements, dietary advice, meditation and exercise.

Touch is a very powerful sense in newborns and provides an effective way of ‘talking’ to your baby. It can open an in-depth knowing of your child and may aid your baby’s growing confidence.

What conditions is it used for?

Massage has a very soothing effect on your baby and may help to improve their digestion and elimination. It is also though to aid their muscular coordination, posture and flexibility in preparation for crawling. By helping your baby to relax it may promote longer, sounder sleep and decrease the production of stress hormones. For mothers with post-natal depression it can be a very positive experience and may increase their sense of bonding with their child.

What to expect

Baby massage is generally taught in groups although some practitioners may offer individual sessions. Over a series of 4-6 weeks you will learn simple techniques to relax your baby and specific strokes that mother’s report may help with congestion, colic, gas and teething.

While you lie fully clothed, your practitioner carries out a series of tests, watching the reaction of muscles to indicate the exact location of tension. Light, precise stimulation is then used to encourage the body to release the stored tension, in order to relieve associated symptoms including backache, headaches, postural distortions or fatigue.

What conditions is it used for?

Anyone can benefit from Body Stress Release including the very young and elderly. By freeing areas of stress it is said that Body Stress Release aids overall well-being and can increase energy levels, supporting the body in its natural inclination to health. It may help both physical manifestations of stress such as sciatica, back pain and headaches and also have emotional benefits.

What to expect

Your practitioner will ask you to lie down fully clothed. They will apply light pressure to various points on your body to test your muscles and locate your sites of body stress. They will work to free these areas by applying a light, definite stimulus in the precise direction of the lines of tension. This is aimed at activating the nerve impulses in the muscles and releasing compression. Practitioners will normally recommend that recently acquired stress will release in one or two sessions, more long term and chronic stress may require longer treatment.