Complementary therapies include a wide range of healing approaches. They may have a supportive approach that can improve well-being and quality of life for people with chronic conditions or terminal illness. These therapies may include meditation, massage, visualisation, aromatherapy, acupuncture or herbs to name a few. Some health professionals see these therapies as useful. However many of them have not been tested in clinical trials in relation to kidney disease.

Yes. People are often concerned that their doctor will frown upon or criticize any alternative methods that they may be using alongside their conventional treatment, but most doctors, if they aren’t exactly open-minded about alternatives, will certainly be understanding.

Complementary Therapies such as Yoga, Acupuncture, Reflexology, Acupressure and several kinds of therapeutic massages (check Integrative Medicine & Complementary Therapy page). We have several Wellness Packages and also unique Medical Programmes to address specific medical issues.

Complementary therapies are those treatments given in conjunction with standard mainstream cancer treatments of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Complementary therapies are used in addition to traditional mainstream treatments to provide supportive care to patients, and are not recommended as a replacement for mainstream treatments. Please refer to the therapies section for a detailed description of each therapy.

Since Neurofeedback training can be costly over time, it is prudent to consider less expensive alternatives that may avoid the need for the full course of training. Some of these are considered further below. If a client exhibits Irlen Syndrome, a visual processing disorder, then Neurofeedback is not going to resolve the problem. It therefore needs to be identified early on and dealt with.

Complementary and alternative therapies are a group of diverse medical and healthcare systems, practices and products that are used to diagnose, treat and/ or prevent illness, although the effectiveness and exact mechanism of such treatments may not have been scientifically proven. Complementary therapies are taken in conjunction with conventional treatments, while alternative therapies are used instead of conventional treatments.

Yes, if you choose a properly qualified and experienced practitioner. There are very few contra-indications with complementary therapies. During your initial consultation, the practitioner will ask a series of questions that will enable an appropriate treatment programme to be compiled for you. If you have any questions about the therapy, the practitioner will be happy to advise you.

No. During pregnancy, complementary therapies can be extremely beneficial in helping to cope with symptoms such as morning sickness, tiredness, oedema and hypertension. Regular treatments can also keep you calm and relaxed and help to prepare your body for childbirth and hormonal fluctuations. A professional practitioner will tailor treatments to ensure that they are suitable for you.

Not usually, however some patients may experience what is termed as a 'healing crisis' after the first treatment. This is a reaction resulting in symptoms such as a runny nose, more frequent visits to the toilet, a mild headache or sweating. The symptoms will generally disappear after 48 hours and are a sign that the body is adjusting, detoxifying and responding to the treatment. Not everyone will experience such a reaction.

Some therapies work well together, such as reflexology, Indian Head Massage, body massage, Chiropractice or Osteopathy. With some therapies such as acupuncture or shiatsu, it would be advisable to check with the other therapist involved. Generally, it is not be a good idea to have too many treatments at the same time, and in fact you would not know which therapy was giving you the most benefit.

So far there are no proven complementary therapies available. However, some patients do find solace in some forms of alternative medicines.

It depends on the type of complementary therapies you are talking about and there are many points of view about this. There is plenty of evidence to show that touch based complementary therapies as used by the SolarisCare Cancer Support Centre play a real part in improving the well being of people with serious illness.

Usually such a combination is perfectly safe, but you should always inform all therapists who are giving you treatment. There is a slight possibility that one type of treatment could cancel out another.

Complementary therapy use by the Australian general population is increasing from up to 52.1% in a South Australian population 2) which was similar to a survey of Australian hospital patients which found 53% of people had used in the past 5 years, were using or intended to use complementary therapies 3) . Around 40% of cancer services and hospitals refer patients to private providers of massage, acupuncture, yoga, chiropractic therapy, reflexology, aromatherapy, Reiki, naturopathy and more.

Many patients report positive effects from complementary therapies and this is supported by their heavy financial investment in them. Clinical trials need to be undertaken on a range of therapies for people with cancer. In Australian cancer patients 4) the most frequently given reasons for their use of therapies were a preference for natural therapy and seeing the complementary therapies as another source of hope. Many people find these therapies provide improvement in their quality of life.

Reviews will be conducted by the Cancer Institute NSW to help answer these questions. This will allow patient choice and needs to be respected, using all the available evidence. Chatwin J & Tovey P. Complementary and alternative medicine ( CAM), cancer and group-based action: a critical review of the literature. European Journal of Cancer Care2004; 13: 3: 210–218 Rao A. Supporting Australians with cancer: a critical review of complementary therapies in oncology.

The Cancer Topics section of the site has information about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). NCI's Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine coordinates NCI activities and research related to CAM.

Yes. Complementary therapies work well alongside orthodox medicine. In fact, some GP's are now referring their patients to complementary practitioners and many hospitals now offer therapies such as reflexology. A complementary practitioner will never diagnose or prescribe medication for you, nor will they adjust any of the medication that you are taking.

Yes. Many common childhood conditions respond well to complementary therapies. It is essential that a parent or guardian is present during any treatments. The treatment programme will be tailored to the child's needs. This may mean that the treatment is shortened or lighter pressure is used.

Many complementary therapies can be helpful to patients undergoing cancer treatment. In fact, reflexology is offered in many oncology departments. It is suggested that you discuss your desire to try complementary therapies with your specialist first and then contact a reputable practitioner for advice on the most suitable treatment programme.

In short, not that we now of. Many complementary therapies have not been scientifically studied to assess whether they are effective at all. However, some techniques have benefits to people when used in conjunction with conventional or standard treatments. You should always discuss any complementary or alternative therapy with your treatment team before you use it, and always be cautious about any therapy technique that is to be used in the place of conventional treatments.

Another popular term for these therapies is "complementary and alternative medicine" (often shortened to CAM). When two things are complementary, they work together, with each one making up for the shortcomings of the other. Complementary therapies, therefore, are used in addition to conventional therapies to try to improve results or quality of life.

Some therapies may have an effect with your homeopathic treatment. From my clinical experience I would advise you to talk to your homeopathic practitioner if you were considering using other therapies alongside homeopathy.

Complementary medicine is any alternative treatment, that is, any healing method not taught to medical doctors, that is used alongside conventional medicine to enhance its effect in some way. This includes anything from massage of an injured limb to music piped into hospital rooms to relax patients.

The Cancer Institute NSW has established a Complementary Therapies Committee as part of the NSW Oncology Group (NSWOG). The Committee members include complementary therapists, researchers, conventional health professionals and community representatives.

In an Australian study of people with cancer, relaxation (58%), diet (57%), vitamins (53%), positive imagery (44%) and faith healing (30%) were the five most popular therapies. A smaller proportion of people used naturopathy, immune therapy, homoeopathy and acupuncture. In one Australian study, seventy patients of the 319 assessed (22%) indicated they were using complementary therapies. The most common therapies chosen were dietary and psychological, followed by herbs.

Many people write to the OCCAM with their own testimony about a successful treatment or a particular healer or healthcare practitioner. To have this information reviewed, people may ask their practitioners whether he/she is collecting information on the success of their treatments. A practitioner can collect, organize and submit the information on a single case or a group of patients for consideration in the NCI Best Case Series program. Please visit the NCI Best Case Series page.

A growing body of clinical evidence supports the clinical benefits of chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy, dietetic counseling, and naturopathic services. Evidence-based complementary health care therapies such as these have proven effective in treating a wide variety of medical conditions and in helping individuals meet their health and wellness goals.

A - Yes, in fact many people find complementary therapies particularly relaxing and beneficial, alongside their medical treatments. We offer the therapy of choice in 4 consecutive weekly sessions so that people can gain maximum benefit.