The terms ‘natural therapy’, ‘complementary therapy’, ‘complementary medicine’, ‘alternative medicine’ and ‘complementary and alternative medicine’ (CAM) are often used interchangeably.
However, the preferred term in Australia is complementary medicine and therapies. The National Health and Medical Research Council defines complementary medicine as “a wide range of healthcare medicines, therapies ... and other products that are not generally considered within the domain of conventional medicine.”
Types of complementary medicine
Naturopathy, traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, herbal medicine, homeopathy, nutrition and remedial massage.
Common natural and complementary therapies
Naturopathy
The World Naturopathic Federation defines naturopathy as “a system of healthcare witha deep history of traditional philosophies and practices, medically trained practitioners and a breadth of natural treatment options to serve patients.”
These treatments are usually ‘holistic’, treatingthe whole person and not just the symptoms of disease.
Formal training at private colleges and universities has influenced the way naturopathy is practised in Australia. In recent times the practice has been more focused on herbal medicine and nutrition.
Traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a system of healthcare that includes acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, remedial massage (anmo tuina), exercise and breathing therapy (qigong), and diet and lifestyle advice. It is one of the oldest healthcare systems in the world. In TCM, a human body has a ‘life energy’ or qi. Qi moves around the body through a network of invisible channels called meridians. In a healthy person the qi flows easily through these channels. Disease or illness is a result of inadequate supply or blocked qi in the meridians, disrupting the body’s harmony, balance and order. To restore the correct flow of qi, the acupuncture practitioner inserts sterile needles at specific sites (acupuncture points) on the meridians of the client’s body. Acupuncture points may also be stimulated using cupping, laser therapy, electro-stimulation, massage and moxibustion (the burning of the traditional herb mugwort, rolled into cigar shapes and placed on acupuncture points).
Chinese medicine and acupuncture are regulated professions in Australia. National registration and accreditation came in to effect in Australia in 2012, making registrations and standards mandatory.
Herbal medicine
Herbal medicine is the use of medicine made exclusively from plants. This is the oldest and most widely used system of medicine in the world. In Australia the most common types of herbal medicine are Western, Chinese, Ayurvedic (Indian) and Australian Aboriginal.
Herbal medicines are available in various forms. These include herbal teas, alcoholic extracts, non-alcoholic glycerine extracts, powders, tablets, capsules and topical creams.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy, devised in the late 18th century by German physician Samuel Hahnemann, is based on the principle that ’like cures like’ – a substance that can produce a certain set of symptoms in a healthy person will cause similar symptoms to disappear in a sick person when it is given in a highly diluted form. Homeopathy prescribing is highly specific; it is tailor-made to an individual’s symptom profile. This makes it difficult to study using clinical trials because no two treatments will be the same.
Nutrition
Nutritional medicine is practised by several types of health professionals, including naturopaths, nutritionists, dietitians and integrative medical practitioners. There are, however, differences in the way nutritional knowledge is applied. It may involve:
- providing information about the types of foods that include nutrients essential for health
- identifying and correcting nutritional deficiencies
- identifying potential food intolerances related to health problems
- advising on the use of nutritional supplements.
Nutritional advice and therapy can be specific to different life stages, such as nutrition for pregnancy and breastfeeding, perimenopause, or for conditions ranging from cardiovascular disease to premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Remedial massage
Remedial massage therapy uses therapeutic massage to treat muscle tension and injuries to tendons and ligaments. Massage techniques include relaxation, sports massage, deep tissue, shiatsu, trigger point techniques and aromatherapy (using essential oils).
Assessing risks and benefits
When choosing to use natural and complementary therapies, it is best done after being informed of the benefits and risks, and considering any scientific evidence to support their use. While some natural therapies do indeed have scientific evidence to support their use, many natural therapies have not been subject to rigorous clinical trials to evaluate their effectiveness, which is often a cause of criticism of them.
Many natural therapies, especially herbal medicines, are prescribed based on many years of traditional use. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that this longterm traditional use should not be ignored. WHO supports the appropriate use of herbal medicines and encourages the use of remedies that are proven to be safe and effective. They promote further appropriate scientific studies into herbal medicines and other CAM.
When considering using a CAM, ask the following questions to help you make an informed decision:
- What is the evidence regarding this treatment? Is it based on traditional knowledge and use? Are there clinical trials or is it just marketing hype?
- Are there any known side effects or interactions with other medications?
- Is the health practitioner appropriately trained in the natural therapy?
- Do you know what you are treating? There is a concern that when seeking CAM, and especially when selfprescribing, that a treatment may be misdiagnosed, or a treatment delayed
- Have you told your health practitioner about all the medicines you are taking, including the ones you buy over the counter?
For more information go to jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/natural-therapies-supplements
