5 Big Reasons To Try Complementary Therapy Now

Complementary therapy and alternative medicine (CAM) fall under the bracket of holistic health.

What is it?

• Complementary medicine or therapy are methods that are used with more traditional medical approaches (surgery, medications etc.) to complement the traditional approach.
• Alternative medicine is an approach that may be used in place of traditional medical approaches.
• Integrative medicine is a speciality which considers your entire health and wellbeing as one, as opposed to just focusing on a specific organ or disease.

This is a fantastic path to explore if you are somebody looking for a new approach to nurturing your body and mind.

Gain a closer relationship with yourself and your body

Complementary therapies generally encourage individuals to become closer to themselves. In turn, you gain more autonomy and independence over presenting issues such as chronic conditions. As complementary therapies aim to get to the root or core problem, they encourage you to go on a journey of the self as you dig deep to discover what may be causing the presenting problem. Using and trying these therapies can often provide relief and solutions for individuals who have been trying many other options for years to no avail. For example, while exploring different types of therapies; you may realize that coping with anxiety is easier to do when you learn how to breathe properly. Using your five senses to explore how your mind and body responds to different therapies can be beneficial in building that closer relationship to yourself.

Large degree of choice

The number of complementary therapies that exist in the world is expansive. Holistic health encompasses movement, stress management, diet, and sleep. Many other forms of complementary therapies exist aside these pillars including:

• Naturopathy
• Acupuncture
• Breathwork
• Energy activation
• Osteopathy
• Aromatherapy
• Hypnotherapy
• Reflexology
• Herbal Medicine
• Crystal Healing
• Sound Healing
• Massage Therapy

Due to this abundance of choice, it is helpful to try many different complementary therapies before finding the one that aligns and resonates best with you and your body.

Portable and safe

Unlike Western medicine, which may require you to carry various medications and equipment around, many complementary therapies can be practiced safely on your own and without physical tools. For example, breathwork as a complementary therapy can be accessed in your own time and space – at home, while driving, moving, or travelling around.

Prevention

Complementary therapies as part of holistic care puts great emphasis on preventing symptoms and health problems before they develop as opposed to after. Learning how to nurture and look after your mental and physical health in due time creates strength, resilience, and self-compassion in your internal system. By caring for all three aspects of your being (mind-body-spirit), you can prevent symptom attacks rather than treating the symptoms with medication when they arise.

Additionally, trying complementary therapies can be useful if you are on a waiting list for treatment, but you need to start managing your symptoms quickly.

Cope with stress and promote relaxation

One of the best aspects of using complementary therapies in your life is diversity. Many of these therapies concentrate in reducing stress in body and mind. Furthermore, they concentrate on aiming to produce a feeling of relaxation and stability that can last from hours to weeks. This can be extremely beneficial for oncology patients or individuals living with harsh, ongoing conditions which require medical treatment (National Cancer Institute, 2022). Health care teams can be open to combining and introducing some therapy as part of overall cancer care. This is called ‘integrative medicine’.

According to the Cancer.Net Editorial Board, using complementary therapies in addition to standard cancer treatment may help to improve physical and emotional well-being, improve recovery, and reduce the side effects of cancer treatment. For example, acupuncture may help to relieve sickness caused by chemotherapy drugs. When connective tissue is stimulated by pressure points on specific areas of the body, this can lead to release of chemicals such as serotonin in the brain. Meditation can also be highly beneficial in helping people to cope with health diagnosis, reduce chronic pain and improve immune function.

Conclusion

Overall, there are many different beneficial reasons for trying complementary therapy to find one that works for you. Accessing these complementary therapies is often best achieved by word of mouth, reliable directory websites such as Treatwiser.com and liaising with your national health provider or professional team. It’s important to listen to your body and mind and lean into ones that help you to feel safe and supported on your holistic health journey.