If you’ve ever thought about using a complementary therapy but just don’t know quite where to begin, this article is for you!

Perhaps a friend has told you how much acupuncture helped her migraines. Perhaps your doctor has suggested that massage might ease your back pain, or you’ve simply reached a point where you want to take a more active, natural role in your own health and wellbeing. Whatever has brought you here, you’re in good company – millions of people across the UK and around the world now use complementary therapies alongside their conventional care.

But with so many disciplines to choose from – from aromatherapy to reflexology, homeopathy to hypnotherapy, nutritional therapy to reiki (you can explore many of them in our guide to therapies) – how do you find the approach that’s genuinely right for you?

At The Complementary Medical Association (The CMA), we’ve spent more than three decades setting and upholding the very highest standards in complementary medicine. In that time, we’ve learned that the people who get the very best results from complementary therapies are the ones who choose thoughtfully – matching the right discipline, and the right Practitioner, to their own individual needs. These seven essential questions will help you do exactly that.

How to choose the right complementary therapy for you:

1. What do I actually want help with?

It sounds obvious, but it’s the step most people skip. Before you look at any therapy, take a moment to get clear on your goal. Are you seeking support with a specific issue – persistent stress, poor sleep, digestive discomfort, aches and pains? Are you recovering from a demanding period in your life and looking to rebuild your energy and resilience? Or are you well, and keen to stay that way – investing in prevention and long-term vitality?

Your answer shapes everything that follows. Someone seeking deep relaxation may be drawn to massage, aromatherapy or reflexology; someone wanting to change long-standing habits might explore hypnotherapy or health coaching; someone looking at their diet and energy levels may benefit most from a qualified nutritional therapist. There’s no single “best” therapy – only the best therapy for your goal. If you’re exploring support for a particular health concern, our conditions library is a helpful place to begin your reading.

2. What kind of experience suits me as a person?

Complementary disciplines differ enormously in how they work with you, and your own temperament matters. Broadly speaking:

• Hands-on therapies – such as massage, reflexology, shiatsu and aromatherapy massage – suit people who respond well to touch and physical treatment.
• Talking and mind-based approaches – such as hypnotherapy, coaching and mindfulness-based work – suit those who want to work with thoughts, habits and emotional patterns.
• Movement and body-awareness practices – such as yoga therapy, Pilates and tai chi – suit people who like to be actively involved in their own progress.
• Systems of natural medicine – such as nutritional therapy, herbal medicine, homeopathy and traditional acupuncture – take a whole-person view and often involve detailed consultations and ongoing programmes.

If the idea of lying still for an hour makes you restless, a movement-based practice may serve you better than massage – and vice versa. Honouring your own preferences isn’t self-indulgence; it genuinely improves your results, because you’ll engage more fully and keep going for longer.

3. How will this fit alongside my conventional medical care?

This question matters enormously – and any excellent Practitioner will welcome you asking it. Complementary medicine is exactly that: complementary. It is designed to work alongside your conventional care, not to replace it.

If you have a diagnosed medical condition, are taking prescribed medication, are pregnant, or are awaiting investigations, tell any Practitioner you consult – and keep your doctor informed about the complementary approaches you’re using. A properly trained, professionally registered Practitioner will take a full case history, will know the boundaries of their own discipline, and will refer you back to your GP whenever that’s the right thing to do. If anyone ever advises you to stop prescribed treatment, that is a serious warning sign – thank them for their time and look elsewhere.

4. Is the Practitioner properly qualified, insured and registered?

Here is the question that protects you above all others. Ask any Practitioner you’re considering: Where did you train? How long was your training? Are you fully insured? And – crucially – are you registered with a recognised professional body?

Registration with a professional body such as The CMA means a Practitioner has demonstrated recognised training in their discipline, holds appropriate insurance, and has committed to a strict Code of Ethics and professional conduct – with a proper complaints and disciplinary procedure in place should anything ever fall short. A genuinely professional Practitioner will be delighted you asked; they’ve worked long and hard for their qualifications and are proud to show them.

Every Practitioner listed in The CMA’s Practitioner directory has been through exactly this scrutiny, which is why so many people begin their search there.

5. Do I feel comfortable with this person?

Research across every field of healthcare tells us something important: the relationship between you and the person treating you is itself a powerful part of the process. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials, published in PLoS ONE, found that the patient–clinician relationship has a small but statistically significant effect on healthcare outcomes in its own right. You should feel listened to, respected and unhurried. A good Practitioner will ask detailed questions about you – your health history, your lifestyle, your goals – before ever suggesting a course of treatment, and will explain clearly what they propose and why.

Many Practitioners offer a brief introductory conversation before you book. Use it. Notice whether you feel at ease, whether your questions are answered openly, and whether the Practitioner is realistic – rather than extravagant – about what they can achieve. Trust your instincts; they are rarely wrong.

6. What does the evidence say – and is the Practitioner honest about it?

The evidence base for complementary medicine has grown remarkably in recent decades, with some disciplines now supported by substantial published research and others at an earlier stage of investigation. You don’t need to become a scientist to choose well – but it’s reasonable to ask a Practitioner what research exists for their discipline and for your particular concern.

What you’re listening for is honesty. An outstanding Practitioner will speak knowledgeably about the evidence, will be candid about what their therapy can and cannot do, and will never promise miracles or guaranteed cures. At The CMA, evidence literacy is something we actively champion among our Members – because we believe you deserve truthful, grounded answers.

7. What are the practicalities – and can I commit to them?

Finally, be realistic about the practical side. How many sessions is the Practitioner suggesting, and over what period? What does each session cost, and are there concessions or packages? Is the Practitioner local to you – or do they work online, which many disciplines now support beautifully? What happens if you need to cancel?

Most complementary therapies work cumulatively, so a course of sessions is often more realistic than a single visit. Choosing an arrangement you can genuinely sustain – financially, geographically and diary-wise – is one of the kindest things you can do for your own progress.

Ready to find your Practitioner?

Once you’ve worked through these seven questions, you’ll know far more clearly what you’re looking for – and you’ll be equipped to choose with confidence.

The CMA register exists for precisely this moment. Every Member listed has met our exacting standards of training, insurance and professional ethics, across a wonderful breadth of disciplines – so you can search knowing that the essential due diligence has already been done. Browse our Practitioner directory, meet our senior Practising Fellows, or explore CMA-registered Clinics and Spas – in person near you, or online – and take the first step towards the approach that’s right for you.

Your health is the most precious thing you own. Choose the people who help you care for it as thoughtfully as it deserves.

About the Author

Jayney Goddard MSc, PG Dip Ed, FCMA, FRSM is the Founder and President of The Complementary Medical Association (The CMA), the world’s leading professional body for complementary medicine. With more than three decades at the forefront of complementary and integrative healthcare, Jayney has dedicated her career to raising professional standards across the sector and to championing rigorous, evidence-based natural approaches to health and longevity. She is the author of several best-sellers, including Rewind Your Body Clock – the Complete Natural Guide to a Happier, Healthier, Younger You (Watkins/Penguin Random House), which debuted on the Amazon charts at No. 1 among ALL books on the platform. Jayney is a sought-after international speaker and a passionate advocate for the safe, ethical integration of complementary medicine within mainstream healthcare. Through The CMA, she supports a global community of Practitioners, Fellows, and Approved Suppliers committed to the very highest standards of practice.

Reference

Kelley JM, Kraft-Todd G, Schapira L, Kossowsky J, Riess H. The influence of the patient–clinician relationship on healthcare outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PLoS ONE. 2014;9(4):e94207. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0094207