What are Complementary Therapies?
The term 'complementary therapy' is generally used to indicate therapies which differ from orthodox Western medicine, and which may be used to complement, support, or sometimes, to replace it. The term 'alternative therapy' is used for therapies that offer alternatives to orthodox Western medicine. There are many different complementary therapies including:
Aromatherapy, Anthroposophy, Ayurvedic Medicine. Bach Flower Remedies, Exercise Movement and Relaxation, Healing and Touch Therapies, Herbal medicine (Western), Homeopathy, Hypnotherapy, Kinesiology, Massage, Naturopathy, Nutritional Therapy, Reflexology. Traditional Chinese Medicine, Transcendental Meditation andYoga.
The Use of Complementary Therapies
A number of factors have contributed to a general rise in interest in complementary therapies. There has been an increase in the use of complementary therapies within the NHS, particularly amongst nurses. Recent NHS reforms have provided an opportunity for purchasers to consider the types of healthcare available, on the basis of cost and effectiveness, and changing attitudes on behalf of providers and commissioners of healthcare have been observed.
Massage has been shown to reduce levels of anxiety, stress and depression in some people. Reflexology has been shown to aid relaxation, relieve stress and restore energy. It can help to reduce the side-effects of psychotropic medication and can moderate the highs and lows of mood swings. Research into nutritional and dietary medicine has demonstrated that food sensitivities may cause psychiatric symptoms, whilst a lack of folic acid has been associated with depression and schizophrenia and the supplementation of certain amino acids has been shown to relieve depression. Transcendental Meditation, hypnotherapy, yoga, exercise, relaxation, massage and aromatherapy have all been shown to have some effect in reducing stress, tension and anxiety and in alleviating mental distress.
Practitioners who use Complementary Therapies at The Banbury Therapy Centre are: