The different types
of complementary treatment

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a treatment derived from ancient Chinese medicine and is one of the most commonly used complementary treatments. It involves inserting fine needles into certain points on the body. The stimulation of these points by the acupuncturist promotes health, by unblocking stagnant Qi (life-force), and moving blood. When Qi does not flow freely through the body, it can cause a wide range of illnesses such as pain, infertility, digestive disorders, stress, depression, migraine, and much more. Acupuncture can alleviate these conditions, and can prevent symptoms from developing into a more serious illness.

The scientific view is that acupuncture points correspond to nerve pathways in the body and inserting needles at these points causes the release of the body’s natural opiate-like painkillers. Acupuncture is often used as a complementary treatment alongside Western therapies such as chemotherapy, surgery, dialysis, and pain management.

A treatment generally lasts one hour, is relatively painless, and induces deep relaxation.

Acupuncture can be an effective treatment for a range of conditions, including:

General aches and pain
Chronic pain including back, neck, shoulder; dental, or leg pain
Arthritis
Fibromyalgia
Sports injuries
Headaches, particularly tension headaches, and migraines
Joint and muscle pain
Stress
Cancer symptoms such as pain
Side effects of chemotherapy treatment such as nausea and vomiting
Nausea and vomiting after surgery

Did you know?

Acupuncture has been evaluated in numerous studies and is now recognised as a safe method for managing chemotherapy-associated nausea and vomiting.

Chinese herbal medicine

Herbal medicine is the use of plants to treat disease, and enhance health and wellbeing. Chinese medicine practitioners make a formula tailored specifically to your condition, or they can dispense herbal medicines pre-packaged as granules, pills, or raw herbs.

The effectiveness of herbal medicine lies in the active compounds present in plants, which can have therapeutic effects on the body. It is important to note that herbal remedies should be used under the guidance of a qualified herbalist or healthcare professional, as they can interact with medications and may not be suitable for everyone.

Herbal medicine practitioners treat a wide range of conditions including:

Headaches
Migraine
Digestive problems
Irritable bowel syndrome
Menstrual problems
Menopausal problems

Chiropractic treatment

Chiropractors use their hands to examine and treat problems of the bones, muscles, and joints. They employ a hands-on therapy called manipulation or adjustment. Chiropractic treatment is based on the concept that restricted movement in the spine leads to pain and reduced function. It aims to improve joint mobility and alleviate pain by focusing on mechanical problems in the spine. Spinal adjustments are carried out with the aim of treating this restricted movement, improving function, and decreasing back pain. 

Research suggests that chiropractic adjustments can provide relief for certain types of musculoskeletal pain, by improve range of motion and overall quality of life. It’s most commonly used to treat lower back and neck pain. Chiropractors may also offer nutritional, lifestyle, and ergonomic advice to support your long-term health.

Chiropractic care can mainly help with:

Back pain
Neck pain and stiffness
Shoulder pain
Elbow pain
Migraine and tension headaches
Whiplash
Strains and sprains from daily activities
Overuse injuries
Work and sports-related injuries
Arthritis
Restricted movement in the back, shoulders, neck, or limbs

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is a complementary treatment based on the idea that a substance that causes certain symptoms can also help to reduce those symptoms. For example, raw onion makes your eyes water. It can also cause a stinging or runny nose. A homeopathic remedy made from onion can be used to treat patients who have a cold or hay fever along with watering eyes and a runny nose.

It is based on the use of highly diluted substances, given as a pill, capsule, or tincture solution, which practitioners claim can cause the body to heal itself.

Homeopathy is most often used to treat conditions such as:

Asthma
Eczema
Arthritis
Fatigue disorders like ME
Headache and migraine
Menstrual and menopausal problems
Irritable bowel syndrome
Allergies
Repeated ear, nose, throat, and chest infections
Urine infections
Dermatitis
High blood pressure
Depression, stress, and anxiety

Did you know?

Up to 40 per cent of people with cancer use some kind of complementary therapy during their illness, according to cancer research.

(* European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy)

Osteopathy

Osteopaths work with the body’s musculoskeletal system, which is made up of the bones, joints, muscles, and tissues. Treatment techniques include muscle manipulation, joint movements, and ‘high velocity thrusts’, which are short, sharp movements. These techniques are designed to reduce joint stiffness along with tension in the muscles, and to help the spine and joints to move more freely. Osteopaths believe that this can improve circulation and promote the body’s own healing process.

Osteopathy is often used for:

Muscle, joint and postural problems
Neck pain
Shoulder pain
Lower back pain
Pain during pregnancy
Sports and repetitive strain injuries
Sciatica
Headaches
Osteoarthritis
Digestive disorders
Menstrual pain

Podiatry

Podiatry is devoted to the study, diagnosis, and treatment of a range of problems affecting the feet, ankles and legs. Podiatrists work to improve the mobility, independence, and quality of life for patients by providing treatment for a wide range of problems affecting the feet. 

Podiatrists can treat any issue that affects your feet, toes, and lower legs including:

Ingrown toenails
Bunions
Fungal infections
Toe deformities
Foot and ankle injuries
Warts
Corns
Calluses
Foot and ankle arthritis
Skin conditions affecting your feet and toenails
Diabetic foot problems
Sprains and strains
Circulation problems

Did you know?

Approximately two out of three cancer patients have tried at least one complementary therapy as part of their cancer care. 