Q:  Which Therapy do I need?

Jayney Goddard, President of the Complementary Medical Association answers:

While most people nowadays realise that complementary medicine and natural health care approaches are of immense use in helping to prevent disease and treat a wide range of conditions, many are put off by simply not knowing how to find a reputable, effective practitioner.  Someone who has a successful track record and is, above all, safe!

For example, in the UK, one of the reasons for the confusion is that with the exception of osteopathy and chiropractic, none of the complementary medical disciplines are as yet State Registered.  This means that anyone can set up as a practitioner and they do not, in the eyes of the law, need to be qualified. 

Many members of the public feel that they would be safer seeing a medically qualified practitioner – however because of the popularity of complementary medicine, some doctors jump onto the natural healthcare bandwagon and will take a very short course (some as brief as a weekend) and then claim to be a practitioner, justifying their actions by virtue of having a medical background.  This is an extremely dangerous situation and there have been a few fatalities caused by inexperienced doctors using acupuncture incorrectly.  Interestingly enough, there are no records of fatalities among properly trained, qualified acupuncturists (medical or non-medical) who will have undertaken a lengthly training course.

To ensure your safety, you will need to ascertain what type of complementary medicine will help you.  Think about the type of approach that you like – you’ll have a higher chance of sticking to a treatment programme if you enjoy the treatments.  For example, some people find acupuncture very relaxing as it releases those feel good chemicals, the endorphins. However, if you have a morbid fear of needles this treatment might not be for you even though acupuncture is undoubtedly highly effective.  Think about whether you like to be touched.  If so, massage, reflexology and aromatherapy might be a good option.  If you are more analytical then you could consider homeopathy, or any of the psychotherapies. 

While there are many different approaches that can treat different ailments, it is important to remember that complementary medicine is, by nature, “holistic”.  This means that the practitioner treats you as an individual person and does not just treat “your disease”.  This approach differs from conventional medicine as orthodox doctors treat patients symptomatically and have a philosophy that divides the patient up into “bits”, instead of seeing the person as a “whole”.  Complementary medicine takes into consideration all the persons symptoms; physically, emotionally and mentally and treats the underlying cause of dis-ease, thus stimulating the body’s natural healing capabilities.

When you approach a practitioner for an appointment you need to ask the following questions:

• What do they do?  What is the nature of the treatment?
• What is their success rate?
• Are they insured?  With whom and to what level?
• Where did they train? For how long?
• Are they a member of a professional membership body i.e. the Complementary Medical Association?
• Do they have to undertake any “Continuing Professional Development”? (This ensures that the practitioner is completely up to date with all the latest trends and techniques in their branch of complementary medicine.)
• How much does the treatment cost and how often will you need to attend.  Beware of any practitioner who tries to tie you into a lengthly course of expensive treatment.

Although many of these questions seem overly “personal” and maybe a bit “rude”, a professional practitioner will be only too pleased to answer any queries you may have.  After all, in order to qualify as a practitioner they have had to invest a great deal of time, effort and money into their training and will be justifiably proud of their qualifications.