Complementary medicine
BMJ 2008; 336 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/sbmj.0804164 (Published 01 April 2008) Cite this as: BMJ 2008;336:0804164
- Timothy Woo, final year medical student1,
- Lesley Wye, research associate2
- 1University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire, Coventry CV2 2DX
- 2University of Bristol, Bristol BS6 6JL
A patient comes back for a review after investigations. “I'm sorry,” says the doctor, “but unfortunately the condition is chronic, and there's nothing we can do to cure it. However, with drugs we can probably control your symptoms.” “Is there no other way?” asks the patient. The doctor shakes his head. “It's just that I was browsing on the internet the other day, and there was an alternative treatment that I would like to try instead.”
Use of complementary and alternative medicine is widespread. In the United Kingdom in 2004 a survey by Sheffield University found that about 10% of all people surveyed had in the past year received complementary treatment from a conventional medical professional trained in complementary medicine.1 Lifetime use has been estimated to be about 46%.2
Research on complementary medicine is abundant. The Cochrane Library lists more than 6700 randomised trials of treatments, but many are of poor methodological quality, leading to the conclusion that more research is needed.3
What is complementary medicine?
“Alternative medicine” is treatments that are not included in general medical curriculums in the United States and Europe. “Complementary medicine” is alternative treatments that are used alongside conventional medicine.
“Integrative medicine” is a system of care that emphasises wellness and healing of the entire person as primary goals, with biological, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions. It draws on conventional and complementary approaches in the context of a supportive doctor-patient relationship.”4
Complementary medicine includes many forms of treatment. The five main types in the United Kingdom identified by a House of Lords report in 2000 are osteopathy, chiropractice, herbalism, homoeopathy, and acupuncture (box). Massage and reflexology are also popular.5
Non-conventional medicine
The recent rise in interest in non-conventional treatments has …
Log in
Log in using your username and password
Log in through your institution
Subscribe from £184 *
Subscribe and get access to all BMJ articles, and much more.
* For online subscription
Access this article for 1 day for:
£50 / $60/ €56 (excludes VAT)
You can download a PDF version for your personal record.