Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Complementary therapies complement conventional medical treatment, while alternative therapies are those which offer alternatives to conventional diagnosis and therapies. Complementary medicine used together with conventional medicine is known as integrative medicine.

Complementary and alternative medicines can include herbal, vitamin, mineral, homoeopathic, nutritional and other supplements. Therapies include herbal medicine, Chinese medicine, chiropractic, naturopathy, osteopathy, acupuncture, homoeopathy, reflexology, aromatherapy, Alexander technique, Bach and other flower remedies, massage, hypnotherapy, shiatsu, ayurvedic medicine, nutritional medicine, yoga, anthroposophical medicine, spiritual healing, iridology, kinesiology, meditation and others.

The Office of Complementary Medicines [Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing], which is part of the Therapeutic Goods Administration, regulates and provides information on complementary medicines for Australians.

For information on complementary or alternative therapies and medicines, follow the links to the specific HealthInsite topic pages or to any of the items in the list of resources below.

Updated March 2009

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Related HealthInsite Topics

Acupuncture
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on acupuncture.
Aromatherapy
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on aromatherapy.
Ayurvedic Medicine
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about ayurvedic medicine.
Chinese Traditional Medicine
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on chinese traditional medicine, including a specific topic page on acupuncture.
Chiropractic
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about chiropractic methods.
Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Asthma
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about complementary and alternative therapies used for treating asthma.
Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Menopause
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about alternative and complementary therapies that are used to treat menopause.
Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Mental Health Conditions
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about the use of complementary therapies for mental health conditions and stress and for conditions affecting mental health.
Complementary Medicines
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on complementary medicines and their regulation.
Herbal Medicine
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on herbal medicine.
Homoeopathy
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on homoeopathy (or homeopathy).
Massage
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about the health effects of massage.
Meditation
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on meditation.
Naturopathy
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on naturopathic medicine and therapies.
Osteopathy
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on osteopathy.
Regulation of Complementary Therapies and Medicines
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to resources about the regulation and approval of the complementary and alternative therapies and medicines industry.
Stress and Relaxation
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about stress and relaxation.

53 Resources Found
Results 1 to 20 displayed.
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Title:   Cultural ways
Publisher:   Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet
Description:   These web pages provide information and resources about cultural aspects of the environment that influence the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Date:   Nov 2009

Title:   Complementary and alternative therapies
Publisher:   National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre
Description:   Complementary therapies are a range of approaches to care aimed at enhancing quality of life and improving wellbeing. They may be used alongside conventional treatments such as surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapies or targeted therapies.
Date:   Sep 2009

Title:   Complementary therapies
Publisher:   The Jean Hailes Foundation for Women's Health
Description:   Complementary therapies, including herbal medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture and Chinese medicine, may help to manage the symptoms of medical treatments.
Date:   Aug 2009

Title:   Complementary and alternative therapies
Publisher:   The Cancer Council Australia
Description:   Provides information about complementary and alternative therapies and links to further information.
Date:   Aug 2009

Title:   HIV treatment
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   New drug treatments for HIV offer most people the chance to control the virus and stay healthy for much longer. Drug treatment for HIV is known as combined antiretroviral therapy (CAR) or, sometimes, highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Drug treatment does not prevent transmission of the virus but starting treatment early can lead to better outcomes for many HIV-infected people.
Date:   Jul 2009

Title:   Alternative therapies
Publisher:   Novita Children's Services
Description:   The attitude of Novita to altenative therapies available for treating children who have physical disabilities is described.
Date:   Jul 2009

Title:   Reflexology
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Reflexology is massage of the feet that aims to promote healing in other areas of the body. It is based on the principle that each part of the foot corresponds to a structure or organ. Modern reflexology is based on the principle that the foot has 'reflex' points that correspond to the various structures and organs throughout the body.
Date:   Jun 2009

Title:   Myotherapy
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Myotherapy is a form of physical therapy used to treat or prevent soft tissue pain and restricted joint movement. The philosophy of myotherapy is founded on Western medical principles including anatomy, physiology and biomechanics. Techniques may include massage, stretching, acupressure and acupuncture.
Date:   Jun 2009

Title:   Liver cleansing diet
Publisher:   Virtual Medical Centre.com
Description:   Information by professional medical specialists on liver cleansing diets.
Date:   Jun 2009

Title:   Pilates - health benefits
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Pilates (or the Pilates method) is a series of about 500 exercises inspired by calisthenics, yoga and ballet that improve flexibility, strength, balance and body awareness. Pilates is a non-aerobic form of exercise.
Date:   May 2009

Title:   Complementary therapies
Publisher:   CareSearch
Description:   'Complementary therapies' is often used to describe treatments used alongside, or integrated with, evidence-based conventional medical treatments. Sometimes people talk of 'alternative therapies'. However, alternative therapies are used instead of, or independently of medical treatments.
Date:   May 2009

Title:   Endometriosis
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Endometriosis is a condition in which endometrium, the tissue that normally lines the womb (uterus), grows outside the uterus. Endometriosis may cause adhesions (fibrous scar tissue) on the uterus. It can also affect the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the bowel. Endometriosis may cause very painful periods and may reduce fertility or cause infertility. Natural therapies such as herbal medicines may help endometriosis.
Date:   Dec 2008

Title:   Interventions for educating traditional healers about STD and HIV medicine
Publisher:   John Wiley and Sons, Ltd. for The Cochrane Collaboration
Description:   There is a strong argument for the importance of collaborating with traditional healers in the management of STIs such as HIV/AIDS. Political and health care systems have failed adequately to cope with the pandemic, and engaging every available resource...
Date:   Dec 2008

Title:   Natural therapies and complementary medicine
Publisher:   The Jean Hailes Foundation for Women's Health
Description:   Naturopathy or natural therapies are terms that cover many different therapeutic disciplines or approaches. These disciplines include herbal medicine, nutrition, acupuncture, homoeopathy, osteopathy, chiropractic, traditional Chinese medicine, aromatherapy, and remedial therapy such as massage and kinesiology.
Date:   Oct 2008

Title:   Headache - treatment options
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Most headaches are caused by different factors working in combination. Factors may include problems of the musculoskeletal system, dietary problems, infections, eye and dental problems or neurological problems. Successfully treating chronic headache means investigating and treating each factor in turn. This combined approach to treatment should be medically supervised.
Date:   Sep 2008

Title:   Alexander technique
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   The Alexander technique deals with bad habits of posture and movement. Bad posture can lead to head, neck and back pain, muscle aches, bursitis and repetitive strain injuries. The Alexander technique teaches awareness of movement and thought.
Date:   Sep 2008

Title:   Touch therapies for pain relief in adults
Publisher:   John Wiley and Sons, Ltd. for The Cochrane Collaboration
Description:   Touch therapies (Healing Touch, Therapeutic Touch and Reiki) have been found to be useful in pain relief for adults and children. Pain is a global public health problem affecting the lives of large numbers of patients and their families. This review aim...
Date:   Jul 2008

Title:   Head lice - treating them
Publisher:   Child and Youth Health - CYH (South Australia)
Description:   Head lice do not spread dreadful diseases, but you do need to have them treated. You can't treat them by yourself, so you need to tell someone who can help you.
Date:   Jul 2008

Title:   Integrative oncology - a primer
Publisher:   Virtual Medical Centre.com
Description:   Information by medical specialists on integrative oncology, the use of scientifically-proven, complementary therapies alongside more conventional medical treatments.
Date:   May 2008

Title:   Indigenous
Publisher:   CareSearch
Description:   It is important that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are able to get the help and care that they need when they have a serious progressive illness. This can be support from the Indigenous community, but also from health professionals.
Date:   May 2008
Results 1 to 20 displayed.
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