Complementary medicine: What you need to know

Complementary medicine refers to all of those treatments which are not part of conventional medicine.

Complementary medicine is becoming increasingly popular, but is it safe and effective? We look at some of the lotions, potions and magic formulas to help you decide what's right for you.

Chances are you've used complementary medicine. Ever taken St. John's Wort for depression or echinacea to ward off a cold? Have you tried acupuncture or aromatherapy? Seen a chiropractor for your bad back? Have you taken a multivitamin or other dietary supplement like calcium? All of these are examples of complementary medicine.

Basically, the term "complementary medicine" refers to those treatments and health care products that are not part of conventional medicine. This means they're not taught in most medical schools and not usually practiced by doctors with a degree from medical school.

They are called "complementary" when used together with conventional medicine. When used in place of conventional medicine, these same treatments and products are called "alternative medicine." An example of complementary medicine might be using aromatherapy to relieve the stress of undergoing chemotherapy. An example of alternative medicine might be using herbs or a special diet instead of the chemotherapy.

Types of complementary and alternative therapies

Alternative and complementary treatments include everything from dietary supplements and herbal remedies to mind-body medicine such as meditation and yoga. The following are a few popular examples:

• Acupuncture Stimulating certain anatomic points on the body with needles or other instruments
• Aromatherapy Using essential oils from flowers or herbs to promote wellbeing
• Chiropractic Manipulating the spine to restore health
• Dietary supplements Using vitamins, minerals, herbs and other substances to supplement the diet and prevent illness
• Electromagnetic fields Using magnets for nerve and joint pain; using low-frequency thermal waves, electromagnetic waves and electrical nerve stimulation for pain relief
• Herbal remedies Using herbs or plants as medicines
• Homeopathy Based on the idea that "like cures like;" using small, highly diluted amounts of substances to cure symptoms, while those same substances in high doses would cause those symptoms
• Mind-body therapies Using massage, meditation, relaxation methods, yoga and other therapies involving both mind and body
• Therapeutic touch Treating energy imbalances in the body by having a therapist pass his hands over the patient
• Traditional Chinese medicine Based on the belief that a balanced "qi," or vital energy, flows through the body and that disease represents the flow of qi being disrupted

Does complementary and alternative medicine work?

Lots of people believe in alternative and complementary medicine. And sometimes these treatments become part of standard medical practice after they've been proven to be safe and effective. But the problem is that, in many cases, there is no proof.

When a new drug is developed, or a new treatment suggested in conventional medicine, it must be tested thoroughly to ensure it's safe and works well. Doctors test these new treatments in medical trials. It might take years for a new drug to get approved, but when it does, it's likely to work and unlikely to cause great harm.

Alternative and complementary treatments are not scientifically tested. Also, you may not be able to find reliable information about a product, which makes it hard for doctors and patients to know if it is safe and helpful.

That doesn't mean all complementary and alternative treatments are bad and you should stay away from them. But it is important to talk to your doctor. Some may be safely used alongside other therapies. Some may be harmful, especially if using them means you're not using treatments that have been proven to work.

How do I know a treatment is effective?

Because complementary and alternative treatments are not usually scientifically proven, there's no sure way to know if one is effective or safe. But there are a few ways you can check them out. First, evaluate where your information about the treatment is coming from. You don't want to try a product based solely on an infomercial or unsolicited email.

If you learned about the treatment on a web site or in a magazine, ask yourself whether the claims being made about the treatment seem reasonable. Stay away from treatments that claim to be miracle cures or to have no side effects. Avoid offers that make you feel like you must act quickly or miss out. If it says "limited availability" or "act now," you should wonder why it's so important to rush. Avoid anyone offering a "secret" formula or suggesting their product cures a whole host of unrelated diseases.

Often, manufacturers or providers of alternative and complementary therapies will provide lots of personal stories to back up their claims. Personal stories, while meaningful, are not enough. Ask whether any scientific articles or studies exist.

Evaluate the web site or magazine or other source of information on the treatment. Is it a valid source? Are you reading a news report or an advertisement? Are you reading a well-respected news magazine or a tabloid?

Do a little research. If you have access to the internet, visit reliable web sites that might have information on the product. Try government web sites or those affiliated with universities or non-profit providers of health information. If you're not sure about a site, ask yourself what its purpose is. Is it to educate the public or is it to sell a product? Is the information provided up-to-date and based on scientific studies? Most importantly, of course, talk to your doctor.