Complementary Healthcare: a guide for patients Complementary Healthcare: a guide for patients

The Prince of Wales’s Foundation for Integrated Health London, England Written and Produced by Margot Pinder, Lev Pedro, Georgia Theodorou and Kate Treacy, with additional contributions from Wendy Miller. Edited by Margot Pinder The Prince of Wales’s Foundation for Integrated Health 12 Chillingworth Road London N7 8QJ Telephone: 020 7619 6140 Email: [email protected] Website: www.fihealth.org.uk © The Prince of Wales’s Foundation for Integrated Health First published 2005 ISBN 0 9539453 8 3 All rights are reserved. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patent Act 1988, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without prior permission in writing of the publishers. Enquiries should be addressed to The Prince of Wales’s Foundation for Integrated Health. Photographs were taken by: Jacky Chapman Bridget Jones Janine Wiedel Photo on p. 35 by Libby Welch, with permission of The Wellcome Trust Medical Photographic Library Thank you to The British Chiropractic Association and The South East Cancer Help Centre for the loan of their photographs. We are very grateful to the following organisations, their practitioners and patients, for allowing us to photograph their work: the Healthy Living Centre, St. Paul’s Road, London, N1; the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital, Greenwell Street, London, W1; Women and Health, London, NW1; Glastonbury Health Centre, Wells Road, Glastonbury; Napiers, Goodge Street, London, WC1 The Prince of Wales’s Foundation for Integrated Health gratefully acknowledges funding support for this book from the Department of Health, the Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly. The Prince of Wales’s Foundation for Integrated Health has made every effort to ensure that the information in this guide is correct at the time of printing. The Prince of Wales’s Foundation for Integrated Health does not assume and hereby disclaims any liability to any party for loss or damage caused by errors in this guide. Designed by Axiom Partners, 01787 882 619 Printed by Giltedge Printers, 154 Mount Pleasant, Wembley, Middx, HA0 1SD 5

Contents

Section A General Information page 1 About this guide 7 2 Important points to be aware of before having treatment 8 3 How to find out which therapy to use 9 4 Standards and safety 12 5 Where to find a complementary healthcare practitioner 14 6 Questions to ask a practitioner before going for treatment 16 7 What if I’m unhappy with the treatment? 17 Section B Complementary Therapies Statutorily regulated 8 Chiropractic 22 9 Osteopathy 23 Proposals made for statutory regulation 10 Acupuncture 25 11 Herbal medicine 28 Other therapies 12 Aromatherapy 31 13 Craniosacral therapy 33 14 Healing 34 15 Homeopathy 36 16 Hypnotherapy 38 17 Massage therapy 39 18 Naturopathy 41 19 Nutritional therapy 43 20 Reflexology 44 21 Reiki 46 22 Shiatsu 47 23 Yoga therapy 49 Section C Further Information 24 Sources of further information 51 25 References 53 6 General Information

Section A General Information 7 1 About this General precautions This booklet is about using complementary guide healthcare provided by a qualified, competent practitioner. It is not about treating yourself with products you can buy What is included? in shops or over the internet. You should The aim of this guide is to give you enough get advice from an appropriate practitioner information to help you choose a before doing so, unless it is for minor complementary therapy that is right for you illnesses like coughs and colds that you can and find a properly trained and qualified normally buy medicines at the chemist for. practitioner of that therapy. It includes An appropriate practitioner could be a information about: trained and qualified complementary • important things to be aware of before practitioner, your doctor, nurse or going for treatment pharmacist. If you do buy products over the • how to find out what might be helpful counter read the patient information that • how to find a properly qualified and should come with them and take note of competent complementary practitioner the safety information in this guide. • what to do if you are unhappy with It is important to remember that treatment anything that has the power to help you • 16 of the most widely used could also cause harm if taken complementary therapies unnecessarily or provided by an untrained • where you can find further information or insufficiently trained person. In addition, Looking at various healthcare options is some complementary treatments that may part of taking more responsibility for your be helpful when used properly, can affect own health. It is important that you have other medicines if taken at the same time. the right information to help you do this. For example, St John’s Wort can make There is not space in this booklet to some prescription medicines or the birth include information on all the control pill work less well and it could be complementary therapies available in the dangerous to take St John’s Wort at the UK, so we have concentrated on some of same time as anti-depressants. That is why the therapies that are most widely used. we emphasise the importance of telling The general information in this guide is your doctor about all complementary relevant whatever therapy you are treatments you are taking and telling your interested in. If you want to use a therapy complementary healthcare practitioner not mentioned in this guide, please contact about all other medication you are taking. A The Prince of Wales’s Foundation for properly trained, qualified and regulated Integrated Health for information. complementary practitioner should ask you We have not been able to include all the about this. existing complementary medicine Never change or stop taking prescribed professional organisations in this guide. medication without talking to your GP first. Our policy is to include in our publications Please note that the aim of this booklet the organisations that are working together is to provide general information about to form a single regulatory body for their complementary healthcare and to point you profession. in the direction of sources of further To make reading the guide easier, when information. Inclusion in this guide does not we want to use the pronouns ‘he’ or ‘she’ imply recommendation or endorsement. instead of saying ‘the practitioner ’or ‘the Please be aware that the information in this chiropractor’, we say ‘she’ in one chapter booklet should not be taken as a substitute and ‘he’ in the next and so on, throughout for medical advice and that decisions the guide. We are not suggesting that in about healthcare and treatment should be reality all chiropractors are women or, for made in consultation with a healthcare example, that all massage therapists are practitioner and based on your own men. individual needs. 8 General Information

your midwife or obstetrician, if you are 2 Important pregnant). It can be helpful to talk about your ideas with others before making a choice. points to be Ideally, you should keep all healthcare professionals involved in what you are aware of doing so they can work together to help you get the best healthcare. Your before having complementary practitioner may tell your treatment doctor, with your permission, about the treatment you are having and what Have you seen your doctor first? progress you are making. If you are planning to see a complementary Claims about cures practitioner because you feel unwell, you should see your doctor first about any A reputable practitioner will not tell you, nor symptoms you have. It is important that say in advertisements, that she can cure a your doctor has the chance to rule out any specific disease or condition. You should, dangerous or life threatening illness and to therefore, be suspicious of any one who discuss treatment options with you. It is does. Such claims can lead patients to have also important that your complementary unrealistic expectations of their treatment practitioner is aware of any medical and are not legal unless they can be proved. conditions you are known to have (see also The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) the next section: Keep everyone informed). A oversees advertising in newspapers, well-trained complementary practitioner magazines and direct mail and provides should tell you to see your doctor if she information about what can be said about the realises you might have something serious effectiveness of products and treatments. that your doctor does not know about. She The ASA says that unqualified claims such as should also know when she cannot help “cure” are generally not acceptable. you and suggest you see someone else. Medical history Keep everyone informed When you see a complementary This is very important for your safety and practitioner for the first time, she should includes telling your doctor what take a medical history from you. This complementary treatments you are taking, should include finding out what other letting your complementary practitioner medication, conventional and know about any medicines your doctor has complementary, you are taking. You should prescribed for you and any other tell her about everything you are taking, complementary treatments you are having. whether it has been prescribed for you or Don’t forget to mention any product or whether you have bought a product supplement you may have bought for yourself. You should also let her know yourself. Different treatments can about any other complementary treatments sometimes have an effect on each other, you are having. She should ask what which could make them work less well, illnesses or medical conditions you have cause unpleasant side effects or be and whether you are pregnant. If the possibly dangerous for you. This is practitioner does not ask you about all particularly important for herbal remedies, these things, you should tell her. as there are some you should not take at the same time as certain medicines Cost prescribed by your doctor. There is more Before you start treatment find out exactly information about this in Chapter 3: How to what you will have to pay. find out which therapies to use and Chapter 11: Herbal medicine. NHS treatment Always try to discuss your decisions about In some areas you may be able to get using complementary medicine with your GP, complementary treatment on the NHS. This practice nurse or hospital doctor (including may be at no extra cost or you may be 9 3 How to find out which therapy to use

Use of complementary asked to pay something towards it. At the healthcare homeopathic hospitals (see Chapter 5), your treatment is on the NHS but you will be An estimated 5.75 million people a year in asked to pay a prescription charge for your the UK go to see a complementary homeopathic remedies. If your doctor has practitioner for treatment.1 People with long recommended you to a complementary standing illnesses are more likely than practitioner, either in a GP practice or others to use complementary healthcare,2 outside, check beforehand how much you although the majority of people who do will be expected to pay. have complementary treatment see their doctor about their illness first.3 Some Private treatment studies that looked at the use of If you are seeing a complementary complementary medicine found that practitioner privately and paying all the cost musculoskeletal problems, especially back yourself, bear in mind that the first pain; stress relief; anxiety and depression; consultation may be longer, and so cost and the maintenance of good health are more. What you are paying for is the among the most common reasons given for practitioner’s time but with some therapies seeing a complementary practitioner. 4 5 6 7 there may be extra costs for herbs or In the chapters in this guide on nutritional supplements. Some private health individual therapies, we give an indication insurance schemes and medical cash plans of the conditions each therapy can be used cover the cost of some complementary to treat, along with examples of some of therapies, so if you belong to one of these the evidence available from research about check beforehand what it covers. what they might be helpful for. In the chapters on each therapy we give an idea of how much you might expect to pay a private practitioner. This is usually the What information is there? minimum you could pay, as the costs will vary depending on the practitioner and A friend of yours may tell you that her where you live. London, other large cities arthritis got better after she was treated and the south of Britain are likely to be with a particular complementary therapy. more expensive. This is interesting and good news for your friend, but you should really have more Low cost treatment information before you make a decision Complementary healthcare is sometimes about which complementary therapy to available in healthy living centres, voluntary use. In this chapter we give examples of organisations or charities (see Chapter 5). In the kinds of information you can look at. In these cases, you might be able to get free the last chapter of the book we list some or subsidised treatment. Some practitioners other sources of further information you offer reduced rates for small children, could use. pensioners or people on income support. While there hasn’t been as much Length of treatment research into complementary medicine in The total cost of your treatment will depend comparison with conventional medicine, also on how long your course of treatment there is an increasing amount of evidence is and how often you see the practitioner. available. The government has started to After your first appointment with a fund more research into complementary practitioner she should be able to give you medicine and to increase the opportunities an estimate of how long your treatment is for research and raise the standards of likely to continue. research being done. 10 General Information

There are a number of ways in which http://nccam.nih.gov/clinicaltrials/factsheet/ complementary therapies can be tested to index.htm see how well they work and different views Making Sense of Medical Research: An about which are best. One method is the Alternative and Complementary Medicine randomised controlled trial, a clinical trial Resource Guide by the Alternative Medicine that is seen as the ‘gold standard’ in Foundation in the USA. research. Many researchers believe that http://www.amfoundation.org/medresearch randomised controlled trials produce the .htm most scientific and best quality results. Informed Health Online, produced by the Some complementary therapies have been Health Research and Education Foundation shown to be helpful when tested in this way.8 Ltd in Australia has information about research and understanding research at In a randomised controlled trial the patients www.informedhealthonline.org//item.aspx? taking part in the research study are divided tabid=26 into groups in a random way. Patients in one group get the treatment being tested, Information about safety while those in other groups are given a This guide provides information about how different treatment or a dummy treatment. each complementary therapy can be used safely. You might be interested in looking at other The Medicines and Healthcare products kinds of evidence in addition to that from Regulatory Agency (MHRA) points out that randomised controlled trials. For example, the standards of production of some observational studies look at the results of unlicensed traditional Chinese herbal a large group of patients having the same remedies vary. Some have been found to treatment over a period of time9 and include substances, often undeclared on systematic reviews and meta-analyses of the label, that could be harmful and that clinical trials bring together and analyse are illegal. The MHRA publishes a web together the results of previous research. page Herbal Safety News which provides information and advice for the public about Information about reading and using the safety of herbal medicines and research traditional Chinese medicines. You can Looking at research may sometimes be read Herbal Safety News via the home page confusing, because there is often some of the MHRA web site www.mhra.gov.uk. that contradicts other research you have The Desktop Guide to Complementary and already read. Here are details of a book and Alternative Medicine (Mosby, 2001), edited websites that have information about using by Edzard Ernst contains safety information research. relevant to most of the complementary The Which? Guide to Complementary therapies included in this booklet and about Therapies (Consumers’ Association, 2002) a wide range of herbal and non-herbal by Helen Barnett has a chapter about medicines. research. The UK Medicines Information website The Best Treatments website, which is www.ukmi.nhs.uk has a section on run by the publishers of the British Medical complementary therapies with factsheets, Journal, explains how to use research to including safety information, on some support your treatment decisions herbal remedies. www.besttreatments.co.uk/btuk/decision_i ndex.html Research evidence The Research Council for The book and websites below give Complementary Medicine has an information about the results of research introduction to research on their website. into complementary medicine. www.rccm.org.uk/static/Research_intro.as The Desktop Guide to Complementary and px?m=4 Alternative Medicine (Mosby, 2001), edited The US National Center for by Edzard Ernst. Complementary and Alternative Medicine In the United States there is a has information about clinical trials and government agency, the National Center for complementary medicine. Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 11 that provides information on its website acupuncture, chiropractic, osteopathy, (http://nccam.nih.gov) about homeopathy and safety. complementary medicine and research. www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk The website includes a database, CAM on Patients’ experiences PubMed, of references to research into Other patients’ experiences can be a helpful complementary medicine: additional source of information. DIPEx.org www.nlm.nih.gov/nccam/camonpubmed.html (www.dipex.org) is a website that includes MedlinePlus is a website for the public patients telling you about their experiences giving health information. It is run by the of particular illness and treatments. This American National Library of Medicine and includes experiences with complementary National Institutes for Health and includes medicine in relation to cancers, heart some information, including safety and disease, mental health and neurological research, about complementary medicine conditions, which are the areas covered by including acupuncture, herbal medicine, DIPEx at present. There are plans for a chiropractic and homeopathy. number of other topics in the future. www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/complemen taryandalternativetherapies.html Patient organisations www.besttreatments.co.uk has some Some patient support organisations, such information about complementary as the Parkinson’s Disease Society therapies that have been shown to be (www.parkinsons.org.uk), Breast Cancer helpful for specific conditions and whether Care (www.breastcancercare.org.uk) and they can affect prescribed medicines. Arthritis Research Campaign Bandolier, located at Oxford University, is (www.arc.org.uk) have leaflets about using a journal and website offering evidence complementary medicine. You can find based healthcare information. It specialises details of patient support organisations and in putting information from a range of self-help groups on the website research sources (including systematic www.patient.co.uk reviews, meta-analyses, randomised trials You can find organisations that have and observational studies) into simple telephone helplines through the Telephone bullet points. The website Helplines Association, which publishes a www.jr2.ox.ac.uk/bandolier/index.html is directory of helplines. The directory can be free to search. searched via the Telephone Helplines Informed Health Online, produced by the Association website www.helplines.org.uk Health Research and Education Foundation Using healthcare information Ltd in Australia, has information for the The information sources we list in this public about research into complementary chapter are reputable and should contain medicine reliable, up-to-date information. If you are www.informedhealthonline.org//item.aspx? looking at other websites on the internet, topic=1208 you should remember the general advice in www.positivehealth.com is the website Chapter 2 and be aware that while some of the journal Positive Health. The website information on the internet is reliable, a lot includes updates of research into is not. A recent survey of websites giving complementary therapies and into the information about complementary treatment of particular conditions. medicine for cancer concluded that “The When you are looking at research “It most popular websites on complementary should be noted that stating that there is a and alternative medicine for cancer offer lack of compelling evidence for a treatment information of extremely variable quality. does not imply that the treatment is Many endorse unproven therapies and ineffective.” some are outright dangerous.”10 You can Ernst E (ed). The Desktop Guide to read the survey at Complementary and Alternative Medicine. http://annonc.oupjournals.org/cgi/content/f Mosby, 2001 ull/15/5/733 Other information Quality guidelines NHS Direct Online There are guidelines to help people find NHS Direct Online has some information on and assess health information on the 12 General Information internet. The Judge project has developed guidelines for judging the quality of health 4 Standards and web sites. You can find these at www.judgehealth.org.uk/consumer_guideli safety nes.htm DISCERN is a brief questionnaire that Healthcare and regulation can be used to assess the quality of health When we see a healthcare professional we information. It was originally developed for expect high quality care and treatment. use with printed consumer health Therefore, it is important that the practitioner information but it is also useful for is well trained and that there is a system for information on the internet. You can find it overseeing how she does her work. This should at find www.discern.org.uk include a way of ensuring that something can The Hi Quality website also has be done if we are unhappy with treatment or guidance on its website at if something goes wrong. An organisation www.hfht.org/hiquality/default.htm to help which does this is called a regulatory body you check the quality of health information. and its purpose is to protect the public. The US website MedLine Plus has a In the UK, the work of conventional guide to looking for health information on healthcare professionals, such as doctors, the internet at nurses, dentists and physiotherapists, is www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/healthyweb governed by the regulatory body for each surfing.html profession. Most conventional healthcare The National Center for Complementary practitioners must be registered with the and Alternative Medicine in the USA has a regulatory body for their profession in order list of questions you can ask called 10 to work. To become registered, practitioners Things To Know About Evaluating Medical have to complete a suitable course of Resources on the Web at training and show that their work meets http://nccam.nih.gov/health/webresources/i agreed standards. Regulatory bodies like ndex.htm these, which have been set up by Acts of Parliament, are called statutory regulatory bodies. In the rest of this booklet we use the phrase ‘regulated by law’ to mean statutorily regulated by an Act of Parliament. A healthcare regulatory body should: • ensure that practitioners are trained and practise to agreed minimum standards • keep a list (a register) of practitioners who meet those standards • have a code of ethics and behaviour to ensure that practitioners practise properly and professionally • ensure that practitioners are insured to practise, so that you can be compensated if anything goes wrong with the treatment or if you have an accident on their premises • ensure that practitioners take part in on- going training, and keep up-to-date with developments in their profession • have a system for patients to make a complaint if they are unhappy with their treatment (complaints procedure) • have a system through which practitioners can be dealt with if their work is not satisfactory, which could include being taken off the register if they become unfit to practise (disciplinary procedure) 13

How complementary training and practice. In September 2003 they published a report proposing how they healthcare professions are might become regulated by law. A number regulated of doctors, nurses and physiotherapists practise acupuncture and they are already Osteopaths and chiropractors are regulated statutorily regulated as doctors, nurses and by law, like doctors and nurses. The other physiotherapists. complementary healthcare professions are Herbal medicine practitioners have also at different stages of developing voluntary been working together, through their systems of regulation. professional associations and under the A voluntary system of regulation can give umbrella of the European Herbal patients most of the benefits that a statutory Practitioners Association (EHPA) to develop system provides, but it does not have the common standards of training and practice. weight of the law behind it and practitioners do In the UK, the EHPA represents, through its not have to register with the regulatory body. member professional associations, In fact, for a particular profession or therapy, approximately 2,000 practitioners working there may be more than one association in Ayurveda, Chinese, Tibetan and Western keeping lists of practitioners and they may all herbal medicine. In September 2003, a have different standards of training and working group that included the EHPA and practice. That is why we suggest you ask other relevant organisations made practitioners the questions in Chapter 6. recommendations about how herbal All healthcare practitioners have a legal practitioners should be regulated. duty of care towards their patients, whether In March 2004 the government they are practising a therapy that is statutorily published a consultation document asking regulated or voluntarily regulated. This means for views about the future statutory that a practitioner has a duty not to harm regulation of acupuncturists and herbal patients and, if a patient does suffer harm due medicine practitioners. At the time this to a practitioner’s negligence, the practitioner booklet was printed, the government was can be sued in a court of law by the patient.11 about to publish an analysis of the Osteopathy and chiropractic consultation responses. For up-to-date The General Osteopathic Council is the information please look at our website statutory regulatory body for osteopathy www.fihealth.org.uk or check with the and has a register of all osteopaths in the professional associations listed in Chapter UK. The General Chiropractic Council 10 and Chapter 11. regulates chiropractors and has a register Other complementary therapies of all chiropractors in the UK. To get on the The other complementary therapies are not registers practitioners must meet particular regulated by law, although some standards of training and practice and only complementary practitioners are also those on the registers are allowed to call doctors, nurses, midwives, themselves osteopaths and chiropractors. physiotherapists and pharmacists who are The regulatory bodies have codes of ethics regulated by law as registered members of that govern how their practitioners work and their medical professions. practitioners must have insurance. There are Within each complementary profession complaints procedures that will be followed if there are usually several professional you have a complaint against an osteopath or associations that practitioners can belong to. chiropractor. There are also disciplinary Practitioners are not required to join or register procedures to deal with practitioners whose with a professional association in order to work is not satisfactory. Ultimately, practise, but many do. However, standards practitioners could be taken off the register, of training can vary, which is why we which means they could not legally practise suggest you ask the questions in Chapter 6. as osteopaths or chiropractors. The professional associations within Acupuncture and herbal medicine some of the complementary therapies not The different professional associations regulated by law are now working together registering acupuncturists are working to develop common standards of training together to develop common standards of and practice for their therapy. In some 14 General Information cases they are working towards having one register of all practitioners of that therapy 5 Where to find a who meet a required standard. This process takes time. For up-to-date complementary information please see our website www.fihealth.org.uk or contact our office. healthcare practitioner Training, qualifications and registration Where practitioners work In addition to finishing their training satisfactorily, which gives them a qualification, Charities and community practitioners should also be registered with organisations a professional association or regulatory Many charities and community health body, which should mean they have services, such as those for people with insurance and that there is a way for you to alcohol or drug-related problems, mental make a complaint, if you are not happy with health issues, cancer or HIV, offer your treatment. complementary therapies as part of their Practitioners often use letters after their programme and treatments may be given name to show their qualifications and/or at lower cost. You can find out about these which professional association or regulatory services by asking your GP or local library, body they belong to or are registered with. or by looking in the local yellow pages or For example, MBAcC means ‘Member of the business directory. British Acupuncture Council’ (see Chapter 10) Healthy living centres and MFHom means ’Member of the Faculty Healthy living centres are lottery-funded of Homeopathy’ (see Chapter 15). The programmes that offer a range of health Which? Guide to Complementary Therapies services to local people. As part of their (see Chapter 24, Sources of Further promotion of good health, many healthy Information) has information about what living centres provide complementary some letters mean, but if you are not certain therapies to people who otherwise could you can ask the practitioner to explain. not afford to benefit from them. Letters after the name of practitioners who are not statutorily regulated may not NHS necessarily mean that their training or Half the GP practices in England now practice meet minimum standards. It is provide access to complementary therapies important that the practitioner has a in some way.12 Sometimes practitioners qualification, is a current member of a work alongside the GPs in the surgery professional organisation and has building and some GPs practise professional insurance. However, the level complementary therapies themselves. If of qualifications and the length of training this is not the case, GPs or other staff in the vary. For instance, there are some courses surgery can sometimes help patients to that are not suitable for people wishing to find a practitioner working nearby. If your become practitioners. GP practice does provide some You might not be able to tell this from complementary healthcare you may find the letters alone, so always ask the that you are asked to pay something practitioner what her qualification is, how towards the cost of the treatment. In long her training was and what association general, however, not everyone will find she is part of. You can check her complementary treatment on the NHS in membership by contacting the association. his or her local area. Each primary care Some professional associations say they trust, local practice or hospital trust decides register practitioners but do not actually individually whether or not to provide require the practitioners to show that they complementary healthcare. meet high standards. That is why we Complementary therapies are provided suggest you ask the questions in Chapter 6. in many hospices and palliative care services and in some hospitals and pain 15 clinics. There are five NHS homeopathic hospitals in the UK which offer outpatient complementary therapy services, in Bristol, Glasgow, Liverpool, London and Tunbridge Wells. Glasgow also offers inpatient treatment. You will need to get a referral from your GP to attend these hospitals. If you need help with this, or if your GP has questions or concerns about referring to register practitioners of that therapy. For these hospitals, you can contact the British osteopathy and chiropractic, which are Homeopathic Association for their leaflet regulated by law, we give the contact How to Get Homeopathic Treatment on the details of the one regulatory body for each. NHS.13 For therapies in which the different Having complementary healthcare professional associations that register available alongside conventional medicine, practitioners are working together to the treatment you normally receive at your develop common standards of training and doctor’s surgery or local hospital, is called practice, we give the contact details for the integrated healthcare. It gives you more joint organisation. If you contact the choice of treatments. Integrated healthcare relevant organisation for the therapy you is also offered at some private medical are interested in, you should be able to get practices. information about practitioners near you. Some statutorily regulated conventional It is a good idea to ring a few healthcare practitioners, such as doctors, practitioners and talk to them about why nurses and dentists, also practise you want to see them before finally making complementary therapies including up your mind about which one you feel acupuncture, homeopathy, hypnotherapy most comfortable with. You can ask them and reflexology. They may work in the NHS the questions suggested in the next or as private practitioners. chapter before deciding. Private practice Word of mouth Most complementary practitioners are self- It can be very useful if someone you know employed, and run their own practices. recommends a complementary practitioner They may be based in complementary he or she found helpful. However, you health clinics or have a clinical practice should still check that the practitioner is room in their home. There might be a clinic trained and registered with a professional near you that you have seen or you can find association or regulatory body and you can listings of complementary health clinics still ask him the questions in Chapter 6. and individual practitioners in your local telephone directory. However, please bear in mind the guidance in this booklet if you choose a practitioner this way.

Finding a practitioner When you have decided which complementary therapy you would like to use, the next step is to find a practitioner of that therapy. As explained in Chapter 4, standards of training and practice of complementary therapies can vary and the different therapy professions are at different stages in the development of regulatory systems. In each of the chapters in this book about individual therapies (Chapters 8-23), we give a list of the associations that 16 General Information 6 Questions to ask a practitioner before going for treatment professionally with patients. It is also important that practitioners carry on learning and keep up with developments in It is important that you see a practitioner with their profession. The practitioner may have appropriate training and qualifications, and her certificate of qualification displayed in that the practitioner has the experience and the consulting room or she should be able facilities to help you. You can check these to show it to you. things by asking the practitioner a number of questions. Feel free to ask a practitioner anything that will help you to decide whether Experience or not she is the right professional to work Does the practitioner have experience in with you. If you are thinking of seeing a treating people with your condition? In some practitioner who works from a clinic or circumstances, for instance if you have cancer centre, along with other practitioners, the and are interested in having complementary clinic should have details of training, treatment in addition to your conventional qualifications and experience. treatment, it may be best to see a practitioner Even if you are going to see a with special training. If there is an organisation practitioner who has been recommended or society for people with your condition, they by someone you know, you can still ask the may give advice about this. following questions. When you have spoken to a practitioner on the phone don’t feel obliged to make an appointment with Insurance her if you don’t feel comfortable; it is fine You should check that the practitioner is for you to speak to several if you need to insured so that you can be compensated if before making a decision. anything goes wrong with the treatment or if you have an accident on her premises. Is the practitioner regulated? Again, practitioners should have a certificate showing that they are insured. Is the practitioner registered with a statutory regulatory body or professional association? The practitioner should be What will it cost? able to give you contact details for her What is the charge for a treatment? Does regulatory body or professional association. the first appointment cost more? You can contact the organisation to check Sometimes practitioners charge more for this. You can also ask what the practitioner the first appointment because they need had to do to become registered. The to spend longer taking details of your practitioner may have her registration medical history. Will there be extra costs certificate displayed in the consulting room for the remedies or supplements they or she should be able to show it to you. give you? Training and qualifications How long will the course of The length of training courses can vary, so treatment be? you can ask how long the practitioner has trained for and what qualification(s) she After your first visit a practitioner should has. Weekend or very short courses are not usually be able to give you an idea of how suitable for people wishing to practise many treatments you might need. 17 7 What if I’m unhappy with the treatment?

You have the right to make your feelings Information known if you are unhappy with the treatment you have received. Reasons you Does the practitioner have any information may not feel happy include not liking the about her practice and therapy she can treatment, being hurt or injured during send you before you see her? treatment or while you were in the practitioner’s clinic, or the practitioner’s Is there anything you need to behaviour towards you. Some things are do beforehand? relatively simple to sort out. Are there any preparations you need to • I didn’t like the treatment. It may be that make before treatment, such as not eating the treatment is not the best one for you. for a short time, or wearing particular But before you decide to stop, talk to the clothing? practitioner and explain what you did not like and why. Feedback from you is How might you feel important in helping a practitioner decide how to treat you. He may be able afterwards? to adapt the treatment if you discuss How might you feel after treatment? Are your concerns. there any precautions you need to take straight after a treatment, such as not • I didn’t get along with the practitioner. driving? Are you likely to feel discomfort or The professional relationship between pain and, if so, how long is this likely to you and your practitioner is very last? important in getting the best out of your treatment. Relationships don’t always Do you have particular work. If you feel that you can’t work well with a practitioner, it is best to go needs? somewhere else for treatment. If you have a disability, make sure the practitioner has what you need, such as However, if the reason you did not get on wheelchair access. with the practitioner was because you were not happy about his behaviour towards you, you may want to do something about it. The Prevention of Professional Abuse Network (POPAN) says that “when a professional takes advantage of their client or patient's trust….does not act in their best interests and fails to keep professional boundaries,”14 the practitioner’s behaviour can be called professional abuse.

• I’m unhappy about what the practitioner tells me to do. Reputable complementary healthcare practitioners should not tell you what to do. They should not tell you to stop seeing your doctor or another complementary 18 General Information

practitioner, or to stop taking any When the practitioner is medication prescribed by your doctor. Any decisions you take should be yours, employed by the NHS made after thinking about the issues and If the practitioner you see is employed by with full information. You should feel the NHS and you have been referred to him happy with the decisions you make by your GP or another doctor, you should about your treatment. If you are not make sure that you raise your concerns happy, you could talk it over with a friend with the doctor and/or the manager of the and, if you can, with the practitioner. If complementary healthcare service, if there you still feel he is trying to get you to do is one. If your GP sends you for treatment things you have doubts about, you to a complementary practitioner who is not should stop seeing him. You may decide statutorily regulated, the GP is still you want to take the matter further. responsible for your treatment so you should always discuss any concerns with • I’m unhappy with the way the your GP. Other people in the NHS who practitioner behaved. If you feel might be able to help are the: uncomfortable about the way a • NHS trust patient and advice liaison practitioner behaved towards you, stop (PAL) officer (England) seeing him. You might find it helpful to • trust or local health board complaints talk it over with a friend, if you can. You manager (Wales) may decide that you want to do • trust or health board patient liaison or something about it. complaints officer (Scotland) • local health and social services board What can I do? (Northern Ireland) If you don’t feel that talking it over has In many cases, when you are not satisfied been enough and you decide to make a with your treatment, you can sort it out complaint you can do so using the local informally by talking with the practitioner NHS complaints procedure. and other relevant people. Who you can talk to and what they are able to do Making a complaint depends on whether the practitioner is Your GP; the practice manager; the employed by the NHS and whether he is manager of the complementary therapy regulated by law or not. service; the local health board or trust Where you have serious concerns about patient liaison officer or complaints your practitioner’s behaviour towards you, manager; or, in England, the NHS trust you may wish to speak with someone other patient and advice liaison service (PALs) than the practitioner. You can speak with should be able to give you information your doctor, the NHS complementary about how to do this. You can also get healthcare service manager, if relevant, the information about how to make a complaint practitioner’s regulatory body or the from the places below. professional organisation he is registered England with. You may also wish to contact the For information on how to complain about Prevention of Professional Abuse Network NHS treatment in England see the NHS (POPAN), a national charity that assists website at people who have concerns about abusive www.nhs.uk/england/aboutTheNHS/compl health professionals. You can visit their ainCompliment.csmx website at www.popan.org.uk or ring their or phone NHS Direct on 0845 46 47. To find confidential helpline on 08454 500 300. your local NHS trust in England phone NHS If you find that talking it through has not Direct or use the NHS website at been enough you may decide to make a www.nhs.uk/england/authoritiestrusts/pct/ formal complaint. You should be aware that default.aspx making a complaint can be stressful or distressing, depending on the reason why Scotland you are complaining. It is, therefore, very As this guide went to print the complaints helpful to have someone who can support system in Scotland was being revised. you during the process. However, information will be available from 19 your NHS board’s patient liaison officer or In Wales the local community health complaints officer or from the NHS Helpline council runs the independent complaints in Scotland 0800 224488. To find your local advocacy service. You can find your local NHS board phone NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 community health council by telephoning 24 or look on the Scottish NHS website at the Board of Community Health Councils in www.show.scot.nhs.uk Wales on 0845 644 7814 or looking on the Wales website www.patienthelp.wales.nhs.uk For information on how to complain about In Scotland the local health councils NHS treatment in Wales phone NHS Direct have been supporting people making Wales on 0845 46 47 or look on the NHS complaints. From 1 April 2005, local Wales website at branches of the new Scottish Health www.wales.nhs.uk/documents/complaints- Council will take over responsibility for leaflet-e.pdf You can find your local health doing this. You will be able to find out how board or trust by telephoning NHS Direct to contact your local branch by telephoning Wales or looking at the NHS Direct Wales NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24. website at In Northern Ireland the local health and www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk/nhsdirect.asp social services councils give advice and ?id=22 support on making a complaint. You can find your local council on the Northern Northern Ireland Ireland NHS website at The local health and social services boards www.n-i.nhs.uk/index.html can give information on how to complain The National Association of Citizens about NHS services in Northern Ireland. You Advice Bureaux website has information can get contact details for your local board about how to complain about NHS services by asking at your GP’s surgery or on the in England, Scotland, Wales and N Ireland Internet at www.n-i.nhs.uk/ You can also at www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/family_ find out how to make a complaint by parent/health/nhs_complaints.htm looking on the Central Services Agency including a self-help pack to support you website at www.centralservicesagency.n- when making a complaint i.nhs.uk/display/how_to_make_a_complaint www.adviceguide.org.uk/icas_self_help_pa Help with making a complaint ck.pdf through the NHS Local citizens advice bureaux in the UK Sometimes making a complaint may not may also be able to provide help to make a feel straightforward and you may need help complaint. You can find out where your or support. local citizens advice bureau is by looking in the local telephone directory or on the Help from inside the NHS internet at In England, patient advice and liaison www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/getadvice services, based in NHS trusts, give advice and The Public Law Project has a guide to support to patients, carers and their families help people making a complaint about and can help if you want to make a complaint. NHS treatment. It is available from the In Scotland NHS boards have patient liaison Public Law Project, 266-268 Holloway or complaints officers who can help. Road, London N7 6NE. Telephone 020 Help from outside the NHS 7697 2190. The guide is free but you need If your complaint is about an NHS service, to send an A4 size envelope with your your local independent complaints name and address and a 54p stamp for advocacy service (ICAS) will be able to help each copy you order. you. You can find your local advocacy service by contacting NHS Direct in When you are seeing the England on 0845 46 47. There is also a list of the independent practitioner privately complaints advocacy services in England If the practitioner is regulated by law and on the complaints policy section of the talking to him has not helped, or you don’t Department of Health website feel you can do that, you can talk to www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/Organi someone at his regulatory body about your sationPolicy/ComplaintsPolicy/fs/en concerns. It may be that the matter can be 20 General Information sorted out in this way. If not, the regulatory relevant information as possible. body will have a complaints procedure and Practitioners who are found unfit to practise the practitioner may also have a local by their professional association may be complaints procedure for his clinic. These taken off that association’s register, but should be available for you to see but if you they could still practise or join another prefer not to talk directly to the practitioner association. you can get a copy from the regulatory If you see a practitioner who is not a body. member of a professional association you Sometimes the complaints procedure is will not be able to talk to, or complain to, a available on the regulatory body’s website. professional association if things go wrong. If not, you will have to telephone them or If the practitioner is not insured and you are write to them for a copy. You will need to hurt or injured by treatment or by an make the complaint in writing and include accident on the practitioner’s premises, as much relevant information as possible. you will be most unlikely to get any The regulatory body should give you advice compensation. about making a complaint. Practitioners If the professional association will not who are found unfit to practise by their help you, or the practitioner does not regulatory body may be taken off that belong to a professional association it will body’s register. be very hard for you to get help if you are The practitioner will have insurance so unhappy with your treatment. If the that if you have been hurt or injured by practitioner’s behaviour towards you has treatment or by an accident in the clinic, been abusive, then the Prevention of you should be able to get compensation if Professional Abuse Network (website: the practitioner or the clinic are www.popan.org.uk; tel: 08454 500 300) responsible. may be able to help. In other cases, if the If the practitioner is not regulated by practitioner has been negligent and you law and talking to him has not helped, or have been harmed, going to court may be you don’t feel you can do that, the steps an option. However, this can be a difficult, you can take depend on the standards of expensive and stressful process and it the professional association he is could be very hard to prove your case. A registered with. local law centre or citizens advice bureau Many of the professional associations may be able to advise you but there is that register practitioners of therapies not always a big demand for their services. regulated by law do have complaints You may also be able to get advice from procedures that are easily available, either Action against Medical Accidents, a charity through the practitioner or directly from the that helps people who have been harmed association and do require their during healthcare treatment. Tel: 0845 123 practitioners to have professional 2352; website: www.avma.org.uk indemnity insurance. Some will also be prepared to listen to your concerns before you make a complaint and give you information about how to make a complaint. However, as explained in Chapter 4, Standards and safety, standards can vary so you may find that not all professional associations have appropriate complaints procedures or will help you make a complaint. This is one reason we suggest you ask the questions in Chapter 6 before having treatment; you could also ask whether the practitioner has available a complaints procedure from the association he is registered with. If you do make a complaint, you will need to do it in writing and include as much 21

Section B Complementary Therapies 22 Complementary Therapies 8 Chiropractic

Chiropractic is concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the effects of these disorders on the function of the nervous system and general health. In What will happen when I see other words, chiropractors believe that the a chiropractor? health of the spine and the nervous system running through it can influence Your first visit will last between 30 minutes 1 the health of the whole body. Manual and 1 /2 hours. The chiropractor will take a treatments, such as spinal manipulation or full case history and ask about your adjustment,15 are usually used. condition, which illnesses and injuries you There are about 2000 chiropractors have had, the kind of work you do and even registered with the General Chiropractic about the type of bed you sleep on. You will Council. Many chiropractors do not think be asked to take most of your clothes off, of themselves as complementary except your underwear, and be given a practitioners. They are regulated by law gown to put on. You will be able to do this and prefer to call themselves primary in private. The chiropractor will ask you to healthcare practitioners. In 2001, about agree to a physical examination and may 23% of doctors’ surgeries were providing also check your pulse, heart, blood chiropractic or osteopathic treatment at pressure and lungs. If she thinks it is the surgery or making NHS referrals to necessary, the chiropractor may also chiropractors or osteopaths.16 request an x-ray. Before your treatments start the chiropractor should explain what the What is chiropractic examination found, how she plans to treat commonly used for? you and whether there are any risks associated with your condition or the Chiropractic is used mainly for disorders treatment. Treatments usually last around of the musculoskeletal system such as 15-20 minutes, and involve the chiropractor spine, neck and shoulder problems; making adjustments to the spine. migraine and tension headaches; joint, Your chiropractor can also suggest ways posture and muscle problems; sciatica; you can help yourself, such as exercise and sports injuries; whiplash and repetitive diet. Most health conditions are treated strain injury. It may also be used for within 4 to 12 sessions, depending on the asthma; digestive disorders; menstrual nature of the complaint and how long you pain and infant colic.17 have had it. The chiropractor may suggest A Medical Research Council clinical follow-up treatments at regular intervals.20 trial, reported in the British Medical Journal in 1990, found that chiropractic treatment of back pain was 29% more Precautions effective than hospital outpatient It is quite common to feel some mild treatment. A follow-up trial in 1995 discomfort or tiredness straight after confirmed these results and found that treatment. If these go on longer or you feel chiropractic patients were, on the whole, much worse you should tell your more satisfied than those who had chiropractor straight away. conventional hospital outpatient treatment You should not use chiropractic for back pain.18 The Royal College of treatment if you have severe osteoporosis, General Practitioners recommends malignant or inflammatory spine conditions manipulation for acute and sub-acute back or recent fractures, or if you are on anti- pain.19 clotting drugs or some steroids.21 23 9 Osteopathy

Osteopaths work with the body’s musculoskeletal system, which is made up of the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments and connective tissue. They use their hands to diagnose and treat abnormalities in the There has been some discussion about way the body is working and damage the potential risks associated with caused by disease.24 25 manipulation of the upper spine at the Treatment techniques that osteopaths neck, which is one element of chiropractic use include muscle manipulation, joint treatment and is also used by doctors, movements and ‘high velocity thrusts’, physiotherapists and osteopaths. The which are short, sharp movements.26 27 BMJ’s clinical evidence website puts the These techniques are designed to reduce risk of a stroke at between 1 and 3 in 1 joint stiffness along with tension in the million manipulations.22 A review which muscles, and to help the spine and joints to looked at the relative risks associated with move more freely. Osteopaths believe that the use of spinal manipulation for neck pain this can improve circulation and promote and the use of non-steroidal anti- the body’s own healing processes. The inflammatory drugs concluded that treatment also includes advice about manipulation was much safer (by as much lifestyle. as several hundred times) than non- An American doctor, Andrew Taylor Still, steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.23 believed that some illnesses could be caused by parts of the body becoming even Cost a little out of place. In the 1870s he developed osteopathy to help the body Treatment costs from between £25 and £45 return to normal. The first school of a session. The first appointment will cost osteopathy in Britain was opened in more, from between £30 to £60 upwards, London in 1917. because it will usually be a longer Today there are around 3,600 osteopaths appointment. Some health insurance on the General Osteopathic Council schemes and medical cash plans cover statutory register, and more than six million chiropractic treatment. consultations every year.28 Osteopathy is becoming widely recognised by the Finding a chiropractor medical profession, and is now made available by one quarter of GP practices.29 The chiropractic profession is regulated by Many osteopaths do not think of law. The General Chiropractic Council is themselves as complementary the regulatory body and, in the UK, only practitioners. They are regulated by law and chiropractors who are registered with the prefer to call themselves primary General Chiropractic Council are allowed to healthcare practitioners. In 2001, about call themselves chiropractors. To find 23% of doctors’ surgeries were providing chiropractors in your area contact the osteopathic or chiropractic treatment.30 General Chiropractic Council or look in your local telephone directory. What is osteopathy commonly

General Chiropractic Council used for? 44 Wicklow Street Osteopathy is often used for low back pain London WC1X 9HL and there is some evidence that it is helpful Tel: 020 7713 5155 for this.31 32 The Royal College of General Fax: 020 7713 5844 Practitioners recommends manipulation for Email: [email protected] acute and sub-acute back pain.33 Website: www.gcc-uk.org Osteopathy is also used for neck pain, 24 Complementary Therapies

muscle, joint and postural problems, pain treatment. Always tell your osteopath if during pregnancy, sports and repetitive you feel worse or are in pain for longer strain injuries, sciatica, headaches, than this. osteoarthritis, digestive disorders and The use of a technique known as a high menstrual pain. velocity thrust is not advisable if you have Some osteopaths use cranial certain conditions including: osteoporosis; osteopathic techniques, involving very tumours; broken bones; infections; gentle movements on the head and the ligament damage; inflammatory joint sacrum bone, which sits at the bottom of disease; aneurysm; haemophilia or other the spine.34 It is often used for children with bleeding disorders; active multiple colic, glue ear, sinus problems and constant sclerosis; or you are taking anticoagulant crying, but it can also be used for adults, drugs or are between eight and twelve particularly for face, neck and jaw pain, weeks pregnant.38 39 However, there are problems following shock and injury, other osteopathic techniques that the headaches and sinus problems.35 36 osteopath can use, if appropriate,40 so it is very important that he knows if you are What will happen when I see pregnant or have a serious health condition. He should find this information out an osteopath? when he takes your case history. It is When you visit an osteopath for the first important, too, that you tell your doctor time, he will take a full case history and give (and midwife or obstetrician if you are you an examination. You will normally be pregnant) if you are planning to have asked to remove some of your clothing and osteopathic treatment. to perform some simple movements. The There has been some discussion about osteopath will then use a highly developed the potential risks associated with sense of touch, called palpation, to identify manipulation of the spine, such as possible any points of weakness or strain spinal trauma after high velocity thrusts or throughout the body. He may need stroke after manipulation of the upper spine additional investigations such as x-rays or at the neck. These techniques may be blood tests. This will allow a full diagnosis used, if appropriate, as part of osteopathic and suitable treatment plan to be treatment and are also used by doctors, developed for you. physiotherapists and chiropractors. The Treatments usually take 30-45 minutes. BMJ’s clinical evidence website puts the Osteopaths say that most people get most risk of a stroke at between 1 and 3 in 1 benefit from between 3 to 6 sessions, million manipulations.41 A review which depending on the condition being treated.37 looked at the relative risks associated with At the first session, your osteopath should the use of spinal manipulation for neck pain be able to give you an indication of how and the use of non-steroidal anti- many treatments you might need. For some inflammatory drugs concluded that acute pain one or two treatments may be manipulation was much safer (by as much all that is necessary. Chronic conditions as several hundred times) than non- may need ongoing treatments from time to steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.42 time. Cost Precautions Treatments cost from approximately £25- You may feel a little soreness, tiredness or £50 and upwards for a 30–40 minute have a mild headache for a day or two after session. The first session is usually longer 25 and may cost more. Some health insurance schemes and medical cash plans cover 10 Acupuncture osteopathy. Acupuncture is the insertion of very fine Finding an osteopath needles into the skin at particular points on the body, to prevent or treat ill health or The osteopathy profession is regulated by maintain good health.43 This is thought to law. The General Osteopathic Council is stimulate the body's ability to heal.44 There the regulatory body for osteopathy and it are about 7,500 acupuncturists practising in keeps one register of all osteopaths. In the the UK,45 and one in three GP surgeries are UK, only practitioners who are registered making acupuncture available to patients.46 with the General Osteopathic Council are Two main styles of acupuncture are allowed to call themselves osteopaths. To practised in the UK today: traditional find osteopaths in your area contact the Chinese acupuncture and western medical General Osteopathic Council or look in your acupuncture. local telephone directory.

General Osteopathic Council Traditional Chinese Osteopathy House acupuncture 176 Tower Bridge Road Chinese acupuncture is one element of the London SE1 3LU wider system of traditional Chinese Tel: 020 7357 6655 medicine, which developed in China around Email: [email protected] 4,000 years ago and is used to both Website: www.osteopathy.org.uk diagnose and treat illness. Traditional Chinese medicine also includes herbal medicine, massage, exercise and diet. Chinese medicine is based on the theory that energy (known as qi, pronounced chee) flows through pathways in the body. Qi consists of equal and opposite qualities - yin and yang - and when these become unbalanced, illness may result. By inserting fine needles into the channels of energy, an acupuncturist can stimulate the body's own healing response and help restore its natural balance.

Western medical acupuncture Western medical acupuncture is a form of acupuncture that has developed over the last 30 years. It is similar to traditional acupuncture, but is based on the principles of modern conventional medicine. Practitioners of western medical acupuncture are usually conventional healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses and physiotherapists.47

What is acupuncture commonly used for? Acupuncture is used to treat a wide range of illnesses.48

Pain: most types of pain; including back; neck; shoulder; dental or leg pain; low back pain;49 26 Complementary Therapies general aches and pains; headaches; The needles may be manipulated from rheumatic or arthritic pain; sports injuries; time to time, or stimulated electrically. Heat sciatica or trapped nerves; chronic muscle may be applied either to the needles or strain; migraines; plantar fasciitis; shingles directly to the point by burning a herb and trigeminal neuralgia; and pain relief called moxa. Points may be stimulated following surgery. 50 51 52 53 using other methods, such as massage or low level laser. Other medical problems: including nausea Follow-up treatments usually last and vomiting; menstrual or menopause between 30 minutes and one hour. The problems; bladder, bowel or digestive number of treatments you need will problems; anxiety states; stress and depend on the health condition that you are depression; hay fever and rhinitis; seeking treatment for. For most complaints, circulatory problems; skin problems; you can expect to notice improvements infertility; fibrositis; ulcers; allergies; sinus within about five or six sessions.63 To begin problems; chronic catarrh; dry mouth or with, the acupuncturist may recommend eyes; angina; insomnia; chronic fatigue that you receive treatment once or twice a syndrome and general tiredness; post week. Patients with chronic (long-term) operative nausea and vomiting. 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 illnesses may need top-up treatments every few weeks with the aim of stopping them Addictions: acupuncture is being getting worse. increasingly used for people trying to overcome addictions to alcohol, drugs and Precautions smoking.61 Auricular acupuncture (putting needles into the ear) is often used. Sometimes symptoms can temporarily get worse after a treatment, though that is Maternity: acupuncture is used during generally nothing to be concerned about, or pregnancy, particularly for nausea and you may feel tired, light headed or, vomiting, for back and pelvic pain and to occasionally, dizzy. It is best not to plan to turn a breech baby62 and for pain relief do anything too strenuous immediately during childbirth, but should only be given after an acupuncture treatment. If you do by a properly trained and qualified feel dizzy or drowsy you should not drive practitioner. until you are sure you feel better. If you carry on feeling dizzy or worse, or you feel ill in a different way after the treatment you What will happen when I see must tell your practitioner. Very occasionally an acupuncturist? there may be pain during treatment or a little bleeding or bruising after treatment. Your first appointment will last from about Occasionally, certain patients may faint, 30 minutes to an hour and a half. The particularly with their first treatment.64 acupuncturist will ask you about your Serious side effects can occur after current symptoms; medical history and any acupuncture but the risk has been other medication you are currently taking; estimated as less than one per 10,000 diet and digestion; sleep patterns and treatments.65 Serious harm, including emotional state. A traditional acupuncturist pneumothorax (a collection of air or gas in will also feel your pulses on both wrists and the chest or pleural space that causes part look at your tongue. These tests help her to or all of a lung to collapse), damage to heart decide where to put the needles. or blood vessels and nerve damage can be The acupuncturist will then insert very caused by poor practice. An article in the fine needles into the surface of your skin in British Medical Journal said that in the a number of different places, called hands of a competent practitioner, acupuncture points. The needles will be left acupuncture is a very safe treatment.66 there for an appropriate length of time Properly trained and qualified before they are gently removed. Some acupuncturists should use sterile, people don't feel anything during disposable needles. acupuncture, while others may feel tingling For your own safety, you should tell your or a slight sensation. acupuncturist if you have ever had a fit or 27

fainted or if you have a heart pacemaker, Acupuncture Association of Chartered damaged heart valves, if you are taking anti- Physiotherapists (AACP) coagulants or other medication. Your (for physiotherapists who use acupuncture acupuncturist will ask you about any as part of their treatment) serious condition you may have, so make AACP Secretariat sure you tell her everything, even if you Portcullis think it is not important. This includes lung Castle Street disease; severe arterial disease; cancer or a Mere bleeding disorder. Make sure also that you Wiltshire tell her about any other medication you are BA12 6JE taking, including complementary Email: [email protected] medicines. If you have certain illnesses or Website: www.aacp.uk.com are taking particular medicines, acupuncture may not be suitable for you or British Academy of Western Medical the acupuncturist may need to avoid Acupuncture (BAWMA) putting needles in certain places or avoid (for nurses, doctors and physiotherapists using particular techniques.67 who practise acupuncture) 12 Poulton Green Close Cost Spital Wirral CH63 9FS Treatments cost from between £15 and £60 Tel: 01747 861151 upwards per appointment, depending on Email: [email protected] where the acupuncturist is based.68 The Website: www.westernacupuncture.co.uk first consultation may cost more as it often takes longer than a follow-up appointment. British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) Some health insurance schemes and (practitioners of traditional acupuncture) medical cash plans cover acupuncture 63 Jeddo Road treatment, and acupuncture is sometimes London W12 9HQ available as part of NHS physiotherapy Tel: 020 8735 0400 treatment and in NHS pain clinics. Fax: 020 8735 0404 Email: [email protected] Finding an acupuncturist Website: www.acupuncture.org.uk The professional organisations listed below British Medical Acupuncture Society (BMAS) are working together and have made (for medical practitioners who practise proposals about becoming regulated by acupuncture) law. The government then published a BMAS House consultation document asking for views 3 Winnington Court about the future regulation of acupuncture Northwich and herbal medicine. At the time this Cheshire CW8 1AQ booklet was printed the government was Tel: 01606 786 782 looking at the views it had received and Fax: 01606 786 783 preparing to publish a further report. For up- Email: [email protected] to-date information about regulation Website: www.medical-acupuncture.co.uk contact The Prince of Wales’s Foundation for Integrated Health or see the Department of Health website www.dh.gov.uk 28 Complementary Therapies

Some of the research into herbal 11 Herbal medicine has looked at the use of single plants for particular conditions. There is medicine good clinical evidence for the effectiveness of saw palmetto for benign enlarged In herbal medicine the healing properties of prostate; ginkgo biloba for intermittent 73 plants are used to treat illness and maintain claudication, dementia and memory 74 good health. It is one of the most ancient impairment; and St John’s Wort for mild to 75 forms of treatment known and there are moderate depression. There is some herbal medicine traditions in various parts evidence that ginkgo biloba might be of the world. In Britain today, the two main helpful for tinnitus. There is also some systems of herbal medicine practised are evidence that Chinese herbal medicine western and Chinese.69 could be helpful for irritable bowel 76 77 Western herbal medicine is largely syndrome and for eczema. based on the use of plant remedies native to Britain, Europe and North America,70 What will happen when I see though practitioners may also use a herbal medicine remedies from other places, such as Asia. Practitioners look at the condition and practitioner? health of the patient as a whole and their At the first consultation the practitioner will prescriptions usually contain a mixture of ask about your current health, your history herbs made up individually for each patient, of illnesses, your diet and how you are aimed at restoring the balance of the body feeling in yourself. He will also do a 71 and stimulating its own healing powers. physical examination. Chinese herbal Chinese herbal medicine is part of practitioners will usually feel your pulses traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which and look at your tongue. The practitioner includes acupuncture, massage, tai chi will then make up a prescription. Usually (exercise using controlled movement) and qi this is done during the consultation. gong (breathing exercises). Some The herbs may come as a tincture (a practitioners are trained in, and practise, both concentrated solution of herbs extracted in Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture. water and alcohol) or in tablet form. For skin Traditional Chinese medicine is based on the complaints, the preparation might be in the theory that energy (known as qi, pronounced form of an ointment. Chinese medicine chee) flows through pathways in the body. Qi practitioners often use ‘raw herbs’, which consists of equal and opposite qualities - yin have to be boiled in water and then drunk and yang - and when these become as a tea. This is time-consuming for the unbalanced, illness may result. Practitioners patient and practitioners may give the same usually prescribe a particular mixture of herbs prescription as a tincture or freeze dried for each patient, aimed at putting the balance powder instead. 72 right and improving the patient’s health. Herbal medicine practitioners may also Other forms of herbal medicine give advice about diet and exercise, if this practised include Ayurvedic (Indian) and is appropriate. Tibetan. Your second appointment is likely to be between 2-4 weeks later and the length of What is herbal medicine your course of treatment will depend on commonly used for? the reason you are having herbal medicine treatment. The practitioner will probably Herbal medicine practitioners treat a wide adjust your herbal prescription at times range of conditions including anxiety and during the course of treatment. depression; arthritis; chronic fatigue syndrome; eczema and other skin problems; Precautions fibromyalgia; hay fever; headaches and migraine; insomnia; digestive problems Herbal medicines, like other medicines, including irritable bowel syndrome; have an effect on the body and should be menstrual and menopausal problems. used with care. Sometimes people 29

mistakenly assume that simply because a If you feel worse or unwell in a different product is natural it must be safe; there way while taking herbal medicines, you are many plants that are poisonous to should tell your herbal medicine humans. There are some safety issues to practitioner, your doctor or pharmacist be aware of. straightaway. They can report any harmful effects of medicines, including herbal • Some herbal medicines can interact with medicines, to the MHRA. To check whether other prescribed medicines, so you the MHRA has issued advice about should not take them at the same time. particular herbal products or ingredients, For example, St John’s Wort and you can check Herbal Safety News on the antidepressants; St John’s Wort and agency’s website www.mhra.gov.uk drugs for high blood pressure and for Phytonet (www.escop.com/phytonet.htm) heart conditions; St John’s Wort and also collects information about harmful anticoagulants such as Warfarin; ginkgo effects of herbal medicines. biloba and anticoagulant drugs.78 The Medical Toxicology Unit at St Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust suggests that • Herbal medicines made to poor patients ask for a list of the ingredients in standards may be a health risk. The any herbal product they buy or are given. If Medicines and Healthcare products they later suffer any ill effects and need Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is the medical treatment, doctors will know what government body responsible for the they have taken.79 safety of medicines in the UK. It collects In some parts of the world, Chinese information about any harmful effects medicine practitioners use products that (called adverse drug reactions) and it has are made from endangered species of warned the public that the standards of animals. This is illegal in the UK and the ban production of unlicensed traditional is strongly supported by the UK herbal Chinese medicines can vary medicine profession. considerably. Some have been found to It has not been easy for members of the illegally contain pharmaceutical public to tell if an unlicensed herbal ingredients, heavy metals or toxic herbs. medicine (whether supplied over the For example, some ‘herbal’ creams for counter in a shop or made up by a herbal skin complaints have been found to practitioner) has been made to acceptable contain steroids that are not listed as standards. The MHRA is planning changes ingredients. in regulation and, from autumn 2005 onwards, will run a scheme for registering • Poor labelling of medicines can be a risk over-the-counter traditional herbal as this can lead to patients using the medicines. These products will have to product incorrectly. meet assured standards of safety, quality and patient information. Advice will be It is important that you discuss all your available on the MHRA web site on how to medical treatments with your herbal identify these products. medicine practitioner and tell your doctor if There are some licensed herbal you are taking or planning to take herbal medicines on the market, which are made remedies. This is particularly important if to assured standards and can be identified you are about to have an operation, have by the PL number on the product. had a liver complaint or are pregnant. The MHRA also carried out a Pharmacists can also give advice on safety. consultation in 2004 about possible 30 Complementary Therapies changes to regulations governing European Herbal Practitioners Association unlicensed herbal medicines which are 45a Corsica Street made up by practitioners to meet the needs London N5 1JT of individual patients. The aim of these Tel: 020 7354 5067 changes is to give the public greater Email: [email protected] assurance about standards. The MHRA is Website: www.euroherb.com considering the results of the consultation and information about any further Association of Master Herbalists developments will be on its website. Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine Some herbal remedies should not be Ayurvedic Medicine Association taken during pregnancy because if they are British Association of Traditional Tibetan taken in large amounts there is a possible Medicine risk of miscarriage. These include feverfew; College of Practitioners of Phytotherapy golden seal; juniper; mistletoe; nutmeg; International Register of Consultant rosemary and sage. It is also advisable not Herbalists to take any herbal medicines in the first Maharishi Ayurvedic Practitioners three months of pregnancy, unless you are Association going to see a registered herbal medicine National Institute of Medical Herbalists practitioner about a specific problem.80 Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine Unified Register of Herbal Practitioners Cost Appointments cost from between £40 - £50 and upwards for the first consultation and from around £30 upwards for follow-ups, which are shorter. You will normally have to pay for the herbs in addition to the cost of the consultation.81

Finding a herbal medicine practitioner The professional associations listed below have been working together, as the European Herbal Practitioners Association (EHPA), to develop common standards of training and practice. The EHPA was a stakeholder in the working group on the regulation of herbal medicine practitioners, which made proposals about herbal medicine practitioners being regulated by law. This would include having one register of practitioners, all of whom meet a required standard, which would also give members of the public a single point of contact for finding practitioners. At the time this booklet was printed, the government had consulted people about these proposals and was about to publish the results. For up-to-date information about regulation contact The Prince of Wales’s Foundation for Integrated Health. 31

During a massage, the aromatherapist 12 Aromatherapy will massage the blend into your body using either a full-body massage or massage of particular areas as agreed with Aromatherapy uses the healing properties you, while you lie on a therapy couch. If of essential oils, which are extracted from lying down is difficult for you, you can be plants, to improve health and help prevent massaged in another position. The illness. practitioner will cover the parts of your Essential oils can be used in different body she is not working on with towels. ways, including: The massage section of this booklet • massage (most commonly used (Chapter 17) will tell you more about how method) massage is practised. The practitioner may • baths also suggest ways in which you can use • inhalation (not if you have asthma) aromatherapy at home, such as in the bath, • creams and lotions or by using an oil burner, and will recommend which oils are best for your Different oils are thought to affect the body present condition. in different ways. For instance, they can be For some health problems, the calming, relaxing, uplifting or energising. aromatherapist may advise having a course Some oils are believed to have properties of treatment, so that the benefits build up which fight infections. Tea tree oil, for over time.88 example, is used as an antiseptic or to relieve fungal infections such as thrush. Precautions What is aromatherapy Essential oils could be harmful if not used commonly used for? properly. They should always be diluted in a vegetable-based oil before being used on Aromatherapy is used for a wide range of the skin and they should not be swallowed problems, including pain relief; anxiety and or used internally. Your aromatherapist will stress related conditions; insomnia; explain this to you if she suggests you use headaches;82 arthritis; rheumatism and the oils at home. Like all medicines, menstrual problems.83 It is sometimes essential oils should be kept out of reach of available in maternity services and is widely children.89 used in palliative and cancer care in hospitals and hospices.84 • Essential oils must never be swallowed Research indicates that aromatherapy or used internally. massage may be helpful for the short-term • If using essential oils at home, avoid relief of anxiety85 and that certain essential putting them on damaged skin, such as oils may relieve some symptoms burns or dermatitis. associated with dementia.86 There is some • Make sure you tell your practitioner if promising evidence that tea tree oil could you have heart problems, high blood be useful in treating acne and fungal pressure, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy or infections.87 a skin irritation, as some aromatherapy oils should be avoided for people with What will happen when I see these conditions. an aromatherapist? • It is thought that some essential oils could interact with particular prescribed A session normally lasts from around 45 to medicines, including antibiotics, 90 minutes. The aromatherapist will ask antihistamines, anticoagulants and questions about your medical history, tranquillisers, making their effects general health and lifestyle. She will then stronger or weaker. It is important, choose a blend of oils and a way of therefore, to check with your GP or applying them specifically for your needs. pharmacist and the aromatherapist if The essential oils are concentrated, so for you are taking any other medication. massage treatment they are diluted with • Certain oils, such as orange, lemon and vegetable-based oil. bergamot, may make your skin more 32 Complementary Therapies

sensitive to light so you might get and practice and one register of sunburnt more easily. If you have had practitioners who all meet a required these oils on your skin, you should not standard. When this happens, members of expose it to direct sunlight, sunbeds or the public will have a single point of contact sunlamps afterwards.90 for finding practitioners. However, this • There is a possibility that some essential process takes time and at present oils might be carcinogenic.91 They standards of training can vary, which is why include basil and fennel, which are we suggest you ask the questions in widely used and other oils which are not Chapter 6. generally used in normal practice.92 • There may be interactions between The Aromatherapy Consortium some aromatherapy oils and PO Box 6522 homeopathic remedies, so tell your Desborough aromatherapist if you are also seeing a Kettering homeopath. Northants NN14 2YX • Pregnant women are advised to consult Tel/Fax: 0870 7743477 an aromatherapist and their midwife or Email: info@aromatherapy- GP before using any essential oils. It is regulation.org.uk generally advised that essential oils are Website: www.aromatherapy- not used in the first 14-16 weeks of regulation.org.uk/ pregnancy and some oils should not be used at all during pregnancy. Aromatherapists Society Aromatherapy and Allied Practitioners Cost Association Association of Medical Aromatherapists An aromatherapy appointment usually Association of Natural Medicine costs from between £20 and £45 upwards. Association of Physical and Natural Some charitable organisations or hospices Therapists make aromatherapy available more cheaply, BABTAC 93 or free of charge. British Complementary Medicine Association Finding an aromatherapist English Society de l’Institute Pierre At the moment, there is no single body that Franchomme regulates the aromatherapy profession. Institute of Complementary Medicine There are a number of professional International Federation of Aromatherapists associations that practitioners can choose International Federation of Professional to belong to but an aromatherapist is not Aromatherapists required by law to belong to a professional International Guild of Professional association nor to have completed a Practitioners specified course of training, although many International Holistic Aromatherapy do belong to the organisations listed below. Foundation These organisations are working Professional Association for Clinical together as the Aromatherapy Consortium Therapists to develop common standards of training Raworth Guild of Graduates 33 13 Craniosacral therapy

Craniosacral therapy is a gentle treatment, which involves a practitioner applying very light touch to the body. The craniosacral system consists of the membranes and Precautions cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. It extends Certain serious head conditions such as from the bones of the skull, face and mouth bleeding inside the head and raised that make up the cranium, down the spine pressure or an aneurysm within the skull, to the sacrum and tailbone area. have been noted as indications against 95 Practitioners believe that imbalances having craniosacral therapy. People with and restrictions in the flow of recent head injuries have also been cerebrospinal fluid reflect physical, mental, advised to be cautious about having 96 emotional or psychological injuries and treatment. tensions anywhere in the body. The aim of Patients may sometimes feel a mild treatment is to encourage the body’s own discomfort or a temporary worsening of healing process.94 symptoms after treatment and, according Craniosacral therapy is related to cranial to John Upledger, who developed osteopathy (see Chapter 9), but craniosacral craniosacral therapy, there is a possibility practitioners are not trained as osteopaths. that treatment can increase the effects of medicines for diabetes and epilepsy.97 What is craniosacral therapy Cost commonly used for? The cost of a 30 to 60 minute session starts Craniosacral therapists treat a wide range from £30 to £70 in cities and £20 to £50 in of conditions from acute to chronic (long- rural areas. term) health problems, including: • physical aches and pains Finding a craniosacral • emotional or psychological disturbances and stress-related problems practitioner • low vitality and recurrent infections At the moment, there is no single body that • migraine, eye difficulties, digestive regulates the craniosacral profession. problems There are a number of professional • jaw pain associations that practitioners can choose • persistent colic in babies, developmental to belong to but a craniosacral practitioner disorders and behavioural problems is not required by law to belong to a professional association nor to have What will happen when I see completed a specified course of training, although many do belong to the a craniosacral practitioner? organisations listed below. The practitioner will take your case history, These organisations are working including details of any medication and together as the Cranial Forum to develop other treatments or therapies. Treatment is common standards of training and practice carried out with the patient fully dressed and one register of practitioners who all and in a relaxed position. meet a required standard. When this happens, members of the public will have a single point of contact for finding practitioners. However, this process takes 34 Complementary Therapies 14 Healing

Healing is an ancient practice that has been used for thousands of years and is sometimes referred to as the laying on of hands. It aims to promote better health by channelling energy through the healer to time and at present standards of training the patient.98 Healers may put their hands can vary, which is why we suggest you ask near patients or sometimes on them. Some the questions in Chapter 6. healers also work at a distance or through prayer, although there is no need for The Cranial Forum patients to have religious beliefs to receive Tel: 07000 272 646 healing. Some healers call themselves Website: www.cranio.org.uk spiritual healers, while others prefer to say ‘hands-on healers’ or ‘healers’. Cranio Sacral Society Craniosacral Therapy Association of the UK Craniosacral Therapy Association of What is healing commonly Chartered Physiotherapists used for? International Association of Craniosacral Healing is used for a wide range of physical Therapists and emotional conditions. Research has International Cranial Association shown some benefit in many areas, International Guild of Professional including: Practitioners • healing of wounds • chronic conditions such as migraine or irritable bowel syndrome • reducing side-effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy for people with cancer • contributing to pain relief • helping relaxation • improving sleep patterns • reducing tension, stress and anxiety • providing emotional and spiritual support • contributing to a sense of well-being 99

What will happen when I see a healer? Some healers work in a voluntary setting such as a church or charitable organisation, others work within the NHS. The healer may see you privately or in the same room with other people. If you see a healer on an individual basis, you would normally be asked for some personal details and your medical history. The healer will ask you to sit in a chair or lie on a treatment couch, fully clothed (removing shoes only). The healing itself will usually take place in silence. Sometimes practitioners play relaxing music in the background. The healer will place her hands either on you, or at a short distance away. You might 35 feel various sensations including heat, coolness or tingling or nothing at all. Some patients feel very relaxed and may fall asleep, whilst others may find emotions come to the surface.

Precautions You should not plan to undertake any Association for Therapeutic Healers strenuous activity after a healing session. Association of Spiritual Healers You should tell the healer if you are having British Alliance of Healing Associations other complementary or conventional British Association of Therapeutic Touch medical treatments. British Healers Association Causeway Healers Cost College of Healing Community Healing Project Healers working in a voluntary or charitable Confederation of Healing Organisations capacity may provide their healing free or in Fellowship of Healers return for a donation to the organisation. Foundation of Spiritual Healing and Other healers working as practitioners may Guidance charge between about £15 and £60 or Greater World Association Trust more, depending on where the practitioner Harry Edwards Sanctuary is working. Holistic Healers Association International Self Realisation Healing Finding a healer Association At the moment, there is no single body that Jewish Association of Spiritual Healers regulates the healing profession. There are Joseph Carey Psychic Foundation a number of professional associations that Kent Healers Association practitioners can choose to belong to but a Lancs & District Healers Association healer is not required by law to belong to a Lincolnshire Healers Association professional association nor to have Mudita International Foundation & School of completed a specified course of training, Healing although many do belong to the National Federation of Spiritual Healers organisations listed below. Charitable Trust These organisations are working Northern Healers Forum together as the UK Healers to develop Peacehaven Natural Healing Centre common standards of training and practice Quaker Spiritual Healers and one register of practitioners who all Research & Enlightenment meet a required standard. When this Rosemary Altea Association happens, members of the public will have a School of Insight & Intuition single point of contact for finding Scottish Association of Spiritual Healers practitioners. However, this process takes Seekers Trust time and at present standards of training Self Realization Meditation Healing Centre can vary, which is why we suggest you ask Spectrum Trust the questions in Chapter 6. Spiritualists' National Union Surrey Spiritual Healers Association UK Healers United Spiritualists PO BOX 207 Universal Spiritualists Association LEEDS Warwickshire Spiritual Healers Association LS16 5WX Westcountry Natural Healing Fellowship Tel: 0845 6030 137 White Eagle Lodge Email: [email protected] White Rose Foundation Website: www.ukhealers.info World Federation of Healing 36 Complementary Therapies

infections or urine infections; depression 15 Homeopathy and anxiety. Children are more often treated The basic principle of homeopathy is ‘like with homeopathy than with other cures like’. This means that a substance complementary therapies.102 Homeopaths that would produce certain symptoms in a also treat many patients who feel unwell healthy person can be used to treat a sick but whose doctor can not find anything person with very similar symptoms. For specifically wrong.103 Patients who have had example, raw onion makes people’s eyes unpleasant side-effects from drugs, or who water. It can also cause a stinging or runny cannot take drug treatments, may also nose. A homeopathic remedy made from choose homeopathic treatment.104 onion, allium cepa, can be used to treat A limited range of remedies are available patients who have a complaint like a cold100 over the counter in many pharmacies and or hay fever along with watering eyes and a health food shops. Your homeopath or stinging or runny nose. pharmacist can advise you on the use of Homeopathic prescriptions are tailored these remedies to treat first aid problems to match the particular symptoms of each such as cuts, stings, minor burns, bruises individual patient, so if two patients have and minor ailments. the same illness, but show different symptoms, they are likely to be treated with What will happen when I see different remedies. Homeopathic remedies a homeopath? are given in very diluted doses. They are made from many different things including A consultation usually lasts for between plants, minerals and some animal products. 30 to 45 minutes. The first appointment The remedy usually comes in the form of a will probably last longer, as the white sugar-tablet although it can also be practitioner will take a detailed medical given as a liquid. The tablets have very little history and talk to you in depth about your taste and are taken by letting them melt current state of health. The homeopath under the tongue. will also ask about things like your eating Homeopathy was developed more than and sleeping patterns, your moods, and two hundred years ago by Samuel how you feel at various times of the day. Hahnemann, a German doctor, who wanted Your answers will help him to find the right to find a better, gentler way of treating ill remedy for you. people than was usual at that time. His At the end of the consultation the ideas gradually spread and in Britain homeopath will normally give you a homeopathy has been used for over 150 homeopathic remedy and will tell you when years. and how to take it. Long-term conditions Some homeopaths in the UK are also may require several visits. The homeopath conventional healthcare professionals such should give you an idea of roughly how as doctors, nurses, dentists and long the course of treatment will last and pharmacists, although not all of these how often he will need to see you. practise homeopathy within the NHS. There After taking your remedy you may notice are five NHS homeopathic hospitals in the some changes. For instance your UK (see Chapter 5). symptoms might appear to get worse for a short time. Homeopaths believe this shows What is homeopathy that the remedy is taking effect. Sometimes a cold, a rash or some form of commonly used for? discharge may appear as a sign that your Homeopathy is most often used to treat system is going through a cleansing stage. chronic conditions such as asthma; At the follow-up consultations, you will be eczema; arthritis; fatigue disorders like ME; asked to describe any changes that you headache and migraine; menstrual and have noticed in your condition, so you menopausal problems; irritable bowel might want to make a note of these as they syndrome; Crohn’s disease;101 allergies; happen. repeated ear, nose, throat and chest 37

Precautions British Homeopathic Association Hahnemann House Some homeopaths think that particular 29 Park Street West medical treatments or strong smelling Luton substances, including certain aromatherapy LU1 3BE oils or mint toothpaste, can affect Tel: 0870 444 3950 homeopathic remedies. Fax: 0870 444 3960 Website: www.trusthomeopathy.org Cost There are a number of professional The cost of homeopathy appointments associations that other homeopaths can start at anything from £20 to £60 upwards, choose to belong to but homeopaths are depending on the practitioner (medically not required by law to belong to a qualified homeopaths may charge more) professional association nor to have and where in the country you live. The first completed a specified course of training, appointment will usually cost more, although many do belong to the anything from £35 to £95 upwards, organisations listed below. because it will be longer. The remedy is normally included in the These organisations are working together cost of the appointment. If you have as the Council of Organisations treatment at one of the NHS homeopathic Registering Homeopaths to develop hospitals, the homeopathic remedy will be common standards of training and practice on prescription. To go to one of the and one register of practitioners who all homeopathic hospitals, you will need to be meet a required standard. When this referred by your GP; see Chapter 5 for happens, members of the public will have a details. If you see a medically qualified single point of contact for finding homeopath outside the NHS, you may have homeopaths who are not also registered as to pay extra for the remedies. Some health conventional healthcare practitioners. insurance schemes and medical cash plans However, this process takes time and at cover homeopathy. present standards of training can vary, which is why we suggest you ask the Finding a homeopath questions in Chapter 6.

At the moment, there is no single body that Council of Organisations Registering regulates the homeopathy profession. Homeopaths The Faculty of Homeopathy is the 11 Wingle Tye Road national organisation for statutorily Burgess Hill registered conventional healthcare West Sussex professionals, including doctors, nurses, RH15 9HR dentists and pharmacists, who practise Tel: 01444 239494 homeopathy. The Faculty of Homeopathy Email: [email protected] oversees training and gives diplomas at Website: www.corh.org.uk different levels, including LFHom (basic level), MFHom and FFHom (specialist level). Alliance of Registered Homeopaths To find a homeopath who is a member of Association of Natural Medicine the Faculty of Homeopathy contact the British Register of Complementary British Homeopathic Association. Practitioners 38 Complementary Therapies 16 Hypnotherapy

The mental state where a person is so relaxed that they become more open to suggestion is called hypnosis. Hypnotherapists use the state of hypnosis to help people with health problems.105 Fellowship of Homeopaths Once the patient is in this deeply relaxed Homeopathic Medical Association state the practitioner gives therapeutic International Guild of Professional suggestions, which are aimed at Practitioners influencing behaviour or relieving International Register of Consultant symptoms.106 Herbalists International Society for Homeopathy Scottish Association of Professional What is hypnotherapy Homeopaths commonly used for? Society of Homeopaths Hypnosis is used to treat stress, anxiety, obesity, phobias, addictions,107 depression, irritable bowel syndrome and asthma. It is also used for pain relief, for pain associated with cancer treatments and for other side effects of cancer treatment, such as nausea and vomiting.108 Hypnosis can be used to help people relax, especially when going for medical treatment or dental treatment.109

What will happen when I see a hypnotherapist? During a hypnotherapy appointment you will usually sit in a comfortable chair. The practitioner will take details of your medical history and find out why you have come for hypnotherapy treatment. She will then put you into a hypnotic state and give you therapeutic suggestions.

Precautions Hypnosis is not advisable for people with psychosis, personality disorders or epilepsy, as there is concern that it might cause attacks or episodes of the disorders, or for children under five years old.110 People with mental health problems and serious illnesses, such as cancer, should see practitioners who have experience of working in these areas.111 39 17Massage therapy

Massage therapy is a system of treatment of the soft tissue of the body. It involves stroking, kneading or applying pressure to Cost various parts of the body, with the aim of alleviating aches, pains and musculoskeletal The cost of a hypnotherapy session starts problems (problems relating to the bone from between £30 to £60 upwards. and muscle structure of the body, such as headaches and back pain). Finding a hypnotherapist A patient can be very vulnerable in the What is massage commonly hands of someone who does not use used for? hypnosis in a responsible way, so it is Massage is used for pain relief, muscular or important that the practitioner is properly joint problems such as arthritis or sports trained. At the moment, there is no single injuries, to aid relaxation and for more body that regulates the hypnotherapy general health improvement. Research profession. There are a number of indicates that therapeutic massage may professional associations that practitioners help with stress-related conditions, such as can choose to belong to but a insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome and hypnotherapist is not required by law to chronic fatigue,112 and with constipation and belong to a professional association nor to fibromyalgia.113 It can also be effective for have completed a specified course of persistent back pain.114 A guideline for the training. We therefore suggest you ask the treatment of multiple sclerosis, issued by questions in Chapter 6. the National Institute for Clinical Excellence The British Society of Medical and says that there is some evidence to Dental Hypnosis (BSMDH) is a group of suggest that massage might be of benefit doctors, dentists, psychologists and other for people with the condition.115 healthcare professionals who use Massage may also be used for people hypnotherapy in their practice. with depression or acute or short-term anxiety. This includes patients in intensive Website: www.bsmdh.org care, psychiatric institutions and hospices. Massage is increasingly being used for pain London area, tel: 07000 560 309 relief during childbirth and partners can be Email: [email protected] trained to use massage techniques during labour. Massage can be used to help Rest of England and Wales premature babies achieve more rapid Tel: 020 8905 4342 weight gain and development.116 Email: [email protected]

Scotland What will happen when I see Email: [email protected] a massage practitioner? Before carrying out the massage, the practitioner will ask questions about your medical history, diet, lifestyle, and whether you have specific aches, pains or tensions that you are concerned about. The most common way of giving a massage is on a therapy couch. The patient lies on the couch, usually face down for half 40 Complementary Therapies

the session and face up for the other half. Cost As the practitioner will generally work on most areas of the body you will normally be The cost of therapeutic massage starts at asked to remove most of your clothes, apart around £20 to £60 a session, depending on from underwear, and you will be given the length of the session, and where you privacy to do this. The practitioner will cover live. Some charitable organisations or you and keep you warm with large towels. hospices make massage available more The intensity of massage can vary and cheaply, or free of charge. the practitioner should check that you are happy with the pressure. If you feel Finding a massage therapist uncomfortable for any reason with the massage you should tell the practitioner At the moment, there is no single body that and you can ask him to stop. No regulates the massage therapy profession. professional practitioner should ever There are a number of professional massage the genital area, or touch the associations that practitioners can choose patient in a way that is sexual. If this to belong to but a massage therapist is not happens you should leave. See Chapter 7, required by law to belong to a professional What if I’m unhappy with the treatment? association nor to have completed a specified course of training, although many do belong to the organisations listed below. Precautions These organisations are working Massage is not advisable on the affected together as the General Council for areas if you have certain physical Massage Therapy to develop common complaints such as varicose veins, deep standards of training and practice and one vein thrombosis, bone fractures, swelling, register of practitioners who all meet a bruising, cuts or infections. It is very required standard. When this happens, important to tell your massage therapist members of the public will have a single about any physical problems you have, point of contact for finding practitioners. even if you don’t think they are relevant to However, this process takes time and at your current health situation. present standards of training can vary, Massage can be used with pregnant which is why we suggest you ask the women and babies, but should be carried questions in Chapter 6. out by a specially trained practitioner. People with cancer are advised to see General Council for Massage Therapy specially trained massage practitioners. (GCMT) Deep massage on any part of the body is Whiteway House not advisable for those with active Blundells Lane cancer;117 massage should be gentle. If you Rainhill have cancer the massage therapist should Prescot avoid any wounds, recent scars that are still L35 6NB healing, broken skin or infected areas. If Tel: 0151 430 8199 you have lymphoedema or a swollen arm, Email: [email protected] you should not have massage on that arm Website: www.gcmt.org.uk or shoulder area and if you are having radiotherapy treatment you should not be International Federation of Professional massaged on the area being treated, Aromatherapists although it is safe to have it on other areas International Guild of Professional of your body.118 Practitioners 41

London and Counties Society of Physiologists Register of Remedial 18 Naturopathy Masseurs Massage Therapy Institute of Great Britain Naturopathy is the practice of using natural Massage Training Institute treatments to help the body to heal itself. Professional Association of Clinical Naturopaths use a range of methods Therapists including: Scottish Massage Therapists Organisation • Nutrition and dietary advice • Breathing exercises and stretches There is also a separate organisation for • Hydrotherapy (hot and cold baths, practitioners of sports massage. Sports mineral spas and douches), herbal massage is used before and after sports compresses and dry skin brushing are events, and to treat injuries and problems used to stimulate circulation and the related to physical activity. lymphatic system • Physical therapies such as osteopathy (if Sports Massage Association the practitioner is appropriately trained) PO BOX 4437 and massage London SW19 1WD Tel: 020 8545 0851 What is naturopathy Fax: 020 8404 8261 commonly used for? Email: [email protected] Naturopaths treat people with a wide range Website: of complaints, including digestive and www.sportsmassageassociation.org bowel problems, skin complaints, hormonal problems, arthritis and stress problems.119

What will happen when I see a naturopath? At the first consultation, a naturopath will ask you about your medical history and test your blood pressure and lung function. You might also need to have a blood test or other medical tests. The practitioner will use this information to plan a programme of treatment for you. She will also give you some diet recommendations, or suggest a short cleansing diet or a fast. A fast is a planned programme where you eat certain foods only for a short period of time. The practitioner will usually want to work with you over a period of time, and you will be asked to come back for regular consultations, every 2-3 weeks, for an agreed period of time.

Precautions It is important to have proper supervision if you try a fast or a special diet. Sudden changes to diet can cause physical changes, so it is important to keep in touch with your practitioner if anything concerns you. Fasting is not advisable during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. 42 Complementary Therapies

Cost British College of Naturopathy and Osteopathy A first consultation will usually cost from British Naturopathy Association £35-£40 upwards, although in London it is College of Natural Therapy more likely to be from £50-£60 upwards. College of Osteopaths Follow-up visits are shorter and likely to Complementary Medical Association cost from £20-£30 upwards. European Federation of Naturopaths General Council and Register of Finding a naturopath Naturopaths Guild of Naturopathic Iridologists At the moment, there is no single body that Incorporated Society of Registered regulates the naturopathy profession. Naturopaths There are a number of professional London College of Naturopathic Medicine associations that practitioners can choose Thames Valley University to belong to but a naturopath is not required by law to belong to a professional association nor to have completed a specified course of training, although many do belong to the organisations listed below. These organisations are working together as the General Naturopathic Council to develop common standards of training and practice and one register of practitioners who all meet a required standard. When this happens, members of the public will have a single point of contact for finding practitioners. However, this process takes time and at present standards of training can vary, which is why we suggest you ask the questions in Chapter 6.

General Naturopathic Council 15b Warrington Avenue Slough Berkshire SL1 3BG Email: [email protected] 43 19 Nutritional therapy

Nutritional therapy uses food and diet to help the body’s own healing ability to maintain good health and to prevent or practitioner will probably want to see you alleviate illness. Practitioners look for for a course of treatment over a period of nutritional deficiencies, allergies or time and should be able to advise you on intolerances to food, or for factors that can the length of the course of treatment after cause poor digestion or absorption in the the first consultation. Your practitioner will stomach or intestine. Treatment involves monitor your progress and make changes dietary change and may include the use of to the therapeutic diet if necessary. nutritional supplements, such as vitamins and minerals.120 121 Precautions What is nutritional therapy Some vitamins can be toxic when taken in commonly used for? large doses, so always follow your practitioner's advice or the guidelines on Nutritional therapists often work with supplement packaging. patients who have long-term health Pregnant and breast-feeding women, problems that conventional medicine finds children and people with a serious illness difficult to treat. These include allergies, should get medical advice before following digestive and bowel disorders, hormonal a nutritional therapy programme or going imbalances, fatigue, depression or stress, on a restricted diet. migraine and skin disorders.122 What will happen when I see Cost a nutritional therapist? The cost of nutritional therapy consultations can range from £40 to over On the first visit, the nutritional therapist £100 per appointment, depending on the will ask about your current health problems, location. You will probably have to pay extra your medical and family history and your for tests and nutritional supplements.123 diet and lifestyle. He may ask you to fill in a questionnaire about these things before or Finding a nutritional therapist during the consultation. You might be asked to keep a food diary over a period of At the moment, there is no single body time so the practitioner can get a better that regulates the nutritional therapy idea of what you are eating. The profession. There are a number of practitioner may also carry out some tests professional associations that practitioners to find out if you are allergic to any foods or can choose to belong to but a nutritional lacking any nutrients. therapist is not required by law to belong He will then make recommendations to a professional association nor to have about diet, supplements or herbal remedies completed a specified course of training, and may also talk to you about physical although many do belong to the exercise, or other ways in which you can organisations listed below. promote your own good health. You may be These organisations are working given these recommendations at the first together as the Nutritional Therapy appointment, or the nutritional therapist Council to develop common standards of might wait until the results of your tests are training and practice and one register of available. practitioners who all meet a required The first session may last for about one standard. When this happens, members of hour, with follow-up appointments lasting the public will have a single point of contact between about 15-30 minutes. The for finding practitioners. However, this 44 Complementary Therapies 20 Reflexology

Reflexology is based on the principle that certain points on the feet and hands, called reflex points, correspond to various parts of the body and that by applying pressure to these points in a systematic way, a practitioner process takes time and at present can help to release tensions and encourage standards of training can vary, which is why the body’s natural healing processes. we suggest you ask the questions in Foot treatments have been used in many Chapter 6. cultures, including India, Egypt and China, for thousands of years. Reflexology in its Nutritional Therapy Council current form was developed by Eunice British Association for Nutritional Therapy Ingham in the 1930s, based on the Website: www.bant.org.uk discoveries of the American ear, nose and throat specialist, William Fitzgerald in the International Guild of Professional early 20th century. It was brought to Europe Practitioners by Doreen Bayly and has become very Website: www.igpp.co.uk popular in the UK. It is offered in many specialist centres such as pain clinics and Register of Nutritional Therapists cancer units. Website: www.nutritionalmed.co.uk

Wholistic Nutritional Medicine Society What is reflexology commonly used for? Some people see a reflexologist to help with a specific symptom; others use the therapy regularly to maintain good health. Many people find reflexology relaxing and use it to help reduce anxiety, stress and physical tension. Reflexologists work with a wide range of conditions including certain types of pain, particularly back and neck pain, migraine and headaches, chronic fatigue, sinusitis, arthritis, insomnia, digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, and constipation, stress-related disorders and menopausal symptoms. There is some evidence that reflexology can be effective in treating premenstrual symptoms,124 and headache.125 A guideline for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, issued by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, says that there is some evidence to suggest that reflexology might be of benefit for people with the condition.126

What will happen when I see a reflexologist? A complete treatment will usually last around 45 minutes to one hour. The 45

practitioner will take a case history, asking Finding a reflexologist questions about your symptoms, your lifestyle, and medical history. She will At the moment, there is no single body that examine your feet and/or the palms of your regulates the reflexology profession. There hand. For this, you will be asked to lie are a number of professional associations down, usually on a specially designed that practitioners can choose to belong to reflexology chair. The practitioner will then but a reflexologist is not required by law to apply pressure to points on the feet and/or belong to a professional association nor to hands, using special thumb and finger have completed a specified course of techniques to release tension or unblock training, although many do belong to the ‘stuck’ energy. This aims to help the body organisations listed below. to stimulate its own natural healing ability. These organisations are working After the first treatment, the practitioner together as the Reflexology Forum to will have an idea of what your specific develop common standards of training and needs are, and how she needs to work with practice and one register of practitioners your feet or hands in the future. The who all meet a required standard. When practitioner will then see you for a course this happens, members of the public will of treatment, usually 6-8 sessions. have a single point of contact for finding practitioners. However, this process takes Precautions time and at present standards of training can vary, which is why we suggest you ask After treatment you may feel tired, light- the questions in Chapter 6. headed, relaxed or weepy; have tender feet; need to go to the toilet more often or The Reflexology Forum have flu-like symptoms. Dalton House People taking medicines for diabetes 60 Windsor Avenue should talk to their doctors before having London reflexology as treatment may interfere with SW19 2RR their medication.127 Reflexology may not be suitable for people with gout, foot ulcers or Tel: 0800 037 0130 (free-phone) 128 circulatory problems affecting their feet, Email: [email protected] or for people who have epilepsy or thyroid Website: www.reflexologyforum.org or depressive disorders.129 People with cancer should see a reflexologist who is Association of Reflexologists trained to treat people with cancer as there British Reflexology Association are particular places on the feet that should Centre for Clinical Reflexology be avoided or treated particularly gently. International Federation of Reflexologists Some blood specialists advise that people International Guild of Professional with very low blood platelet counts should Practitioners not be treated with reflexology.130 International Institute of Reflexology It is advisable not to have reflexology Professional Association of Clinical during the first three months of pregnancy. Therapists Reflexologists’ Society Cost Reflexology Practitioners Association Reflexology appointments cost from £25 to Scottish Institute of Reflexology £60 and upwards, depending on the length of the treatment and where you live. 46 Complementary Therapies 21 Reiki

Reiki is a method of healing that originated with Mikao Usui in Japan in the early part of the 20th century. The word reiki means universal life energy in Japanese. A reiki practitioner uses this energy to encourage the body to heal itself. Reiki is your practitioner if you are having any not part of a specific belief system and other complementary or conventional anyone can use it. There are different medical treatments. levels of reiki practitioners. Level one is for people who have learnt reiki so that Cost they can treat themselves, or use reiki Reiki treatment can cost from between £15 informally with their friends and family. and £60 upwards, depending on where you Level two is practitioner level: people live. study to a higher level and are able to give reiki treatments to patients. The third level is reiki master or teacher. This level is Finding a reiki practitioner sometimes split in two: master At the moment, there is no single body practitioner level and master teacher that regulates the reiki profession. There level. are a number of professional associations that practitioners can choose to belong to What is reiki commonly used but a reiki practitioner is not required by for? law to belong to a professional Reiki is used for a wide range of physical, association nor to have completed a mental and emotional conditions, including specified course of training, although the relief of stress and tension. many do belong to the organisations listed below. These organisations are working What will happen when I see together as the Reiki Regulatory Working a reiki practitioner? Group to develop common standards of training and practice and one register of Reiki takes place in a peaceful and relaxing practitioners who all meet a required environment. You will be asked to sit, or lie standard. When this happens, members on a couch and the practitioner will take of the public will have a single point of your medical history. Apart from your coat contact for finding practitioners. However, and shoes, it is not necessary to take off this process takes time and at present any clothes. The practitioner will then standards of training can vary, which is gently place his hands on or over your 1 why we suggest you ask the questions in body. Treatments can last for up to 1 /2 Chapter 6. hours. You may feel a flow of energy, mild tingling, warmth, coolness or nothing at Reiki Regulatory Working Group all. The course of reiki treatment will vary Tel: 07939 533 084 in length according to your condition. Your Email: [email protected] practitioner should discuss your Website: www.reikiregulation.org.uk treatment plan with you and review it as necessary. British Complementary Medicine Association Precautions Federation of Holistic Therapists Independent Professional Therapists It is advisable to rest after a reiki treatment International and drink lots of water. You should tell Reiki Alliance 47 22 Shiatsu

Shiatsu is a Japanese therapy, based on the principle that vital energy (known in Japanese as Ki) flows throughout the body in a series of channels called meridians. According to this principle, symptoms can Reiki Association be caused when this energy stops flowing Reiki Healers & Teachers Society freely. Shiatsu practitioners use thumb and Tera-Mai Reiki & Seichem Healers palm pressure, stretching and other Association techniques to restore the balance of UK Reiki Alliance energy. UK Reiki Federation What is shiatsu commonly used for? Shiatsu is used for a wide range of conditions, from injuries to more general symptoms of poor health. Conditions treated by shiatsu practitioners include back pain; headaches and migraine; whiplash injuries and neck stiffness; joint pain and reduced mobility; menstrual and digestive problems; asthmatic symptoms; sports injuries and depression. Shiatsu may also be used to help symptoms associated with pregnancy and childbirth, although special care needs to be taken during the first three months of pregnancy.131

What will happen when I see a shiatsu practitioner? Treatment is usually given on a special mattress, or futon, on the floor. The practitioner should advise you to wear loose, comfortable clothing, like track-suit trousers and a t-shirt. Before the treatment the practitioner will ask about your medical and family history, your diet and lifestyle. This information will help the practitioner work out the best way to treat you. After a treatment, some people find they have increased vitality and you may feel invigorated yet relaxed.

Precautions Shiatsu is not recommended for people with osteoporosis or low blood platelet counts. In the first three months of pregnancy certain points should be avoided 48 Complementary Therapies

by the practitioner, particularly if the woman Accelerated Professional Training has a history of miscarriage.132 Older British Register of Complementary people or people with disabilities may find Practitioners it difficult to lie down on the floor, but College of Oriental Medicine shiatsu is adaptable and can be given in a Independent Professional Therapists chair or wheelchair. International International Guild of Professional Cost Practitioners International Shiatsu Association Shiatsu treatments can cost from between Shiatsu International £25 to £60 upwards, depending on where Shiatsu Society you live. South West College of Oriental Medicine Zen School of Shiatsu Finding a shiatsu practitioner At the moment, there is no single body that regulates the shiatsu profession. There are a number of professional associations that practitioners can choose to belong to but a shiatsu practitioner is not required by law to belong to a professional association nor to have completed a specified course of training, although many do belong to the organisations listed below. These organisations are working together as the General Shiatsu Council to develop common standards of training and practice and one register of practitioners who all meet a required standard. When this happens, members of the public will have a single point of contact for finding practitioners. However, this process takes time and at present standards of training can vary, which is why we suggest you ask the questions in Chapter 6.

The General Shiatsu Council Glebe Cottage Holywell Road Castle Bytham Grantham NG33 4SL Tel: 01780 410072 Email: [email protected] Website: www.generalshiatsucouncil.org 49 23 Yoga therapy

Yoga is an ancient tradition of mental and physical exercises, which started in India over 5,000 years ago and is now widely practised in the UK. There are many different styles of yoga. Some are physically more demanding, some are the practitioner will be able to recommend gentler, some focus more on physical a course of action, which might be one-to- postures, while others focus more on one sessions with a yoga therapy breathing and meditation. practitioner or special yoga therapy classes. Yoga therapy involves the use of yoga to deal with and prevent illness and to Precautions maintain good health. It includes physical Check with your practitioner before doing exercises, breathing techniques and any yoga postures on your own at home. relaxation.133 You should only practice yoga at home after you have learned the postures and What is yoga therapy techniques properly, as you could injure commonly used for? yourself if you try a yoga posture incorrectly. Some yoga postures should not Yoga aims to strengthen the body and calm be used by pregnant women.141 the mind. People who practice it regularly say that it helps them to feel well and stay fit and healthy, and that the benefits Cost increase over time.134 Yoga is considered to Costs are from about £50 per hour in reduce stress and encourage relaxation.135 London. Sessions usually cost less outside Research suggests that yoga may be London. helpful for hypertension, asthma and reducing joint stiffness in osteoarthritis.136 Finding a yoga therapy There is also some evidence to suggest that it may be useful in epilepsy (Sahaja practitioner 137 yoga), some kinds of irritable bowel At the moment, there is no single body that 138 syndrome, for reducing cholesterol regulates the yoga therapy profession. 139 140 levels and for mild depression. There are a number of professional There are yoga therapy classes for a associations that practitioners can choose wide range of conditions including arthritis, to belong to but a yoga therapy practitioner asthma, back pain, cancer, diabetes, is not required by law to belong to a depression, digestive problems, fatigue, professional association nor to have hypertension, heart disease, HIV & AIDS, completed a specified course of training, ME, menstrual problems, multiple although many do belong to the sclerosis, respiratory problems and stress. organisations listed below. There are also classes for women before These organisations are working and after childbirth. together as the British Council for Yoga Therapy to develop common standards of What will happen when I see training and practice and one register of a yoga therapy practitioner? practitioners who all meet a required standard. When this happens, members of When you begin yoga therapy for the first the public will have a single point of contact time, you should have an initial for finding practitioners. However, this assessment. This would include giving process takes time and at present information about your medical history and standards of training can vary, which is why lifestyle and a 30-60 minute consultation we suggest you ask the questions in with a yoga therapy practitioner. After this Chapter 6. 50 Complementary Therapies

British Council for Yoga Therapy Email: [email protected] Website: www.yogatherapyforum.org.uk

Birthlight British Wheel of Yoga Friends of Yoga Society International Integrative Yoga Therapy Life Force Healing and Yoga Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy Real Yoga Satyananda Yoga Viniyoga Britain Yoga Anubhava Yoga Biomedical Trust Yoga Clinical Interest Group for Physiotherapists Yoga For Health Foundation Yoga Therapy and Training Centre 51

carers in England. It currently includes 24 Sources of some information about complementary healthcare treatments and plans to launch a further specialist complementary medicine library information in the middle of 2005. NHS Scotland runs the e-Library Here are a selection of books, websites and (www.elib.scot.nhs.uk), which has a list of organisations, in addition to those complementary medicine resources. mentioned earlier in this guide, that you can use for further information. There is only Omni, www.omni.ac.uk, has links to a wide room here to list a few, but if you use them range of information sources about they will lead you to others. There will be complementary medicine and some further lists of useful sources of individual therapies. You can search the information on the Foundation’s website website using keywords such as www.fihealth.org.uk complementary medicine; complementary Please remember the guidance in therapies; complementary and alternative Chapter 3 about reading health information, medicine; acupuncture; herbal and so on. particularly on the internet. Resources listed are selected according to At the time this guide was printed, most a set of standards and you can look at of the books listed can be ordered from these by going to bookshops. If publications are not available http://biome.ac.uk/guidelines/eval/cam.html through those outlets, we give details of There is also a leaflet on the website giving how you can get copies. internet sources of information for health and medicine that you can download at General Information http://biome.ac.uk/about/publications.html #booklet Books The British Medical Journal website has a Barnett, H. The Which? Guide to collection of all articles relating to Complementary Therapies. Consumers’ complementary medicine published in the Association, 2002. British Medical Journal since 1998: http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/collections/ Glenville, Marilyn. The Natural Health Handbook for Women. Piatkus Books, 2001. As well as information about patient support organisations, as mentioned in Institute of Ideas. Alternative Medicine: should Chapter 3, www.patient.co.uk lists some we swallow it? Hodder & Stoughton, 2002. sources of information about complementary therapies, has patient Lewith, G. Understanding Complementary information leaflets about a wide range of Medicine. Family Doctor Publications, 2002. medical conditions, some of which include a little information about complementary Peters, David and Woodham, Anne. The treatments, and sources of information Complete Guide: Integrated Medicine. Dorling about medicines. Kindersley, 2000. This book is now out of print but you might find copies in public libraries. A new edition is planned for Specific aspects of summer 2005. complementary health

Vickers, A & Zollman, C, ABC of Life stages Complementary Therapies. BMJ Books, 2000. Dooley, Michael and Stacey, Sarah. Your Websites Change, Your Choice: the integrated guide to The National electronic Library for Health looking and feeling good through the (www.nelh.nhs.uk) is an NHS library for menopause. Hodder and Stoughton, 2004. healthcare professionals, patients and 52 Further Information

Herzberg, Eileen Inge. Know your Herbal medicine information over the Complementary Therapies. Age Concern telephone: Herbal Health Advice Line, run England, 2001. £9.99 + £1.25 p + p. Order by the National Institute of Medical from the Age Concern England website at Herbalists. Tel: 01392 426022 www.ace.org.uk or by telephoning 0870 44 22 120 or by writing to Age Concern Books, The Herb Society aims to increase Unit 6, Industrial Estate, Brecon, Powys, understanding and appreciation of herbs LD3 8LA (cheques/postal orders made and their health benefits. There is payable to ‘Age Concern England’). information on the society’s website and benefits for members include a quarterly McIntyre, A. The Herbal for Mother and Child. newsletter. The Herb Society, Sulgrave Thorsons, 2003. Manor, Sulgrave, Banbury OX17 2SD Tel: For people with cancer 01295 768899 Macmillan Cancer Relief has some general Email: [email protected] information about complementary Website: www.herbsociety.org.uk therapies on its website The Homeopathic Trust. How to Get www.macmillan.org.uk and has links to Homeopathic Treatment on the NHS. other sources of information. Macmillan Booklet available from the British also publishes a directory of Homeopathic Association, Hahnemann complementary therapy services for people House, 29 Park Street West, Luton LU1 with cancer and you can find out what is 3BE. Tel: 0870 444 3950 available in your area by telephoning the Email: [email protected] Macmillan CancerLine on Freephone 0808 Website: www.trusthomeopathy.org 808 2020 or by emailing [email protected] The Homeopathy Action Trust promotes The Macmillan website has helpful homeopathy and provides information to guidance on looking for information on the the public. Members receive a quarterly internet. newsletter. The Homeopathy Action Trust, PO Box 5497, Northampton NN6 0ZH Individual therapies Tel: 08702 407014 Book: Understanding the Bowen Technique Website: www.homeopathyactiontrust.org by John Wilks. First Stone Publishing, 2004. Legal information The British Chiropractic Association Advertising Standards Authority provides information about chiropractic 2 Torrington Place to the public. Address: Blagrave House, London WC1E 7HW 17 Blagrave Street, Reading, Berkshire RG1 Tel: 020 7580 5555 1QB. Tel: 0118 950 5950 Fax: 020 7631 3051 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Website: www.chiropractic-uk.co.uk Website: www.asa.org.uk

Book: Understanding Craniosacral Therapy, Book: Stone, Julie and Matthews, Joan. by John Wilks. First Stone Publishing, 2004. Complementary Medicine and the Law. Oxford University Press, 1996. Book: The NHS Healer by Angie Buxton- Training as a complementary King. Virgin Books, 2004. practitioner Williams, L. Choosing a Course in HerbMed, accessible through its website Complementary Healthcare. The Prince of www.herbmed.org is a free, searchable Wales’s Foundation for Integrated Health, electronic database, for use by the public, London, 2003. Available to download free of links to research and other information from The Prince of Wales’s Foundation for about the use of herbs for healthcare. It is Integrated Health website run by the US based Alternative Medicine www.fihealth.org.uk or order through a Foundation: www.amfoundation.org/ bookshop or from the Foundation. 53

34 Vickers A & Zollman C. ABC of complementary medicine: the manipulation therapies: osteopathy 25 References and chiropractic. BMJ 1999; 319:1176-1179 35 Rowlands B. 1997. Op cit, 1997 204-209 36 Vickers A & Zollman C. Op cit, BMJ 1999; 319:1176- 1 Thomas K & Coleman P. Use of complementary or 1179 alternative medicine in a general population in 37 Rowlands B. Op cit, 1997, 204-209 Great Britain. Results from the National Omnibus 38 British Medical Association. Complementary Survey. Journal of Public Health 2004; 26(2):152-157 medicine: new approaches to good practice. BMA, 2 Ernst E. Complementary medicine. PDS Information 1993 sheet FS35. Parkinson’s Disease Society, 2003 39 Ernst E (ed). Op cit, 2001 3 Thomas K & Coleman P. Op cit, 2004 40 Vickers A & Zollman C. Op cit, BMJ 1999; 319:1176- 4 Thomas KJ et al. Use and expenditure on 1179 complementary medicine in England: a population 41 www.clinicalevidence.org/ceweb/conditions/msd/ based survey. Complementary therapies in medicine 1103/1103_I2_harms.jsp 20/10/04 2001; (9):2-11 42 Dabbs V, Lauretti WJ. A risk assessment of cervical 5 Ong C-K & Banks B. Complementary and alternative manipulation vs. NSAIDs for the treatment of neck medicine: the consumer perspective. The Prince of pain. Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapy. Wales’s Foundation for Integrated Health, 2003 1996; 19(3):220-221 6 Barnes P, Powell-Griner E, McFann K, Nahin R. 43 Acupuncture Regulatory Working Group. The Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Statutory Regulation of the Acupuncture Profession. Adults: United States, 2002. CDC Advance Data The Prince of Wales’s Foundation for Integrated Report #343. National Center for Health Statistics, Health, 2003 2004 44 Acupuncture Association of Chartered 7 ZollmanC & Vickers A. ABC of complementary Physiotherapists. What is acupuncture? medicine: users and practitioners of www.longbo.demon.co.uk complementary medicine. BMJ 1999; 319:836-838 45 Acupuncture Regulatory Working Group. Op cit, 8 Justins, Dr Douglas. Vice President, Royal College 2003 of Anaesthetists, response to consultation on 46 Thomas KJ, Coleman P & Nicholl JP. Op cit, 2003 Complementary Healthcare: a guide for patients, 21 47 British Medical Acupuncture Society, Dr Mike April 2004 Cummings, by email, November 2003 (adapted) 9 Vincent C & Furnham A. Complementary Medicine: a 48 Rowlands B. The Which? guide to complementary research perspective, p. 152. Wiley, 1997 medicine. Which? Books, 2002 10 Schmidt K, Ernst E. Assessing websites on 49 Thomas KJ, MacPherson H, Thorpe L, Brazier J, complementary and alternative medicine for Fitter M, Campbell M, Roman M, Walters S, Nicholl cancer. Annals of Oncology 2004; 15:733-742 J. Longer term clinical and economic benefits of 11 Stone J & Matthews J. Complementary medicine and offering acupuncture to patients with chronic low back the law. Oxford University Press, 1996 pain. Final report to NHS Health Technology 12 Thomas KJ, Coleman P & Nicholl JP. Trends in Assessment Programme, 2004 access to complementary and alternative 50 British Medical Association (BMA) members' survey medicines via primary care in England: 1995 – on complementary medicine, 1999. BMA, 2001. Results from a follow-up national survey. Acupuncture: efficacy, safety and practice. Harwood Family Practice 2003; 20: 575-577 Academic Publishers, 2000 13 The British Homeopathic Association. How to get 51 Woodham A, Dr Peters D. Encyclopedia of Natural Homeopathic Treatment on the NHS. Available to Healing. Dorling Kindersley, 1997 download from www.trusthomeopathy.org 52 Ernst E (ed). Op cit, 2001 14 www.popan.org.uk 11/10/04 53 British Acupuncture Council, Carol Horner, 15 World Federation of Chiropractic, 1999, taken from November 2003 General Chiropractic Council website www.gcc- 54 British Medical Association (BMA) members' survey uk.org November 2003 on complementary medicine, 1999. BMA, 16 Thomas KJ, Coleman P & Nicholl JP. Op cit, 2003 Acupuncture: efficacy, safety and practice. Harwood 17 General Chiropractic Council. What can I expect Academic Publishers, 2000 when I see a chiropractor? 2003 55 Vickers A & Zollman C . ABC of Complementary 18 Meade et al. Low back pain of mechanical origin: Medicine: acupuncture. BMJ 1999 319; 973-976 randomised comparison of chiropractic and 56 Woodham A & Dr Peters D. Encyclopaedia of Natural hospital outpatient treatment. BMJ, 2 June 1990; Healing. Dorling Kindersley, 1997 300: 1431-1437 and Meade et al. Randomised 57 Dr Foster. Good Complementary Therapist guide. comparison of chiropractic and hospital outpatient Vermilion, 2002 treatment for low back pain; results from extended 58 Rowlands B. Op cit, 1997 follow up. BMJ, 5 August 1995; 311: 349-351 59 British Medical Acupuncture Society, London 19 Royal College of General Practitioners. Clinical Teaching Clinic, www.medical-acupuncture.co.uk guidelines for the management of acute low back 28/10/02 pain. RCGP, 1996 60 British Acupuncture Council, About Acupuncture, 20 General Chiropractic Council. What can I expect www.acupuncture.org.uk 28/10/02 when I see a chiropractor? 2003 61 British Acupuncture Council, Briefing Paper 7, 21 British Chiropractic Association, consultation Substance Abuse and Acupuncture: the evidence for response, April 2004 effectiveness, www.acupuncture.org.uk 28/10/02 22 www.clinicalevidence.org/ceweb/conditions/ 62 Cardini F, Weixin H. Moxibustion for correction of msd/1103/1103_I2_harms.jsp 20/20/04 breech presentation: a randomized controlled trial. 23 Dabbs V, Lauretti WJ. A risk assessment of cervical JAMA 1998 Nov 11; 280(18):1580-4 manipulation vs. NSAIDs for the treatment of neck 63 MacPherson H, Fitter M. Factors that influence pain. Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapy. outcome: an evaluation of change with 1996; 19(3):220-221 acupuncture. Acupuncture in Medicine 1998; 16(1): 24 Zollman C & Vickers A. ABC of Complementary 33-39 Medicine. BMJ Books, 2000. 64 White A, Cummings M, Hopwood V, MacPherson 25 General Osteopathic Council website H. Informed Consent for Acupuncture – An www.osteopathy.org.uk October 2003 Information Leaflet Developed by Consensus. 26 Rowlands B. Op cit, 1997, 204-209 Acupuncture in Medicine 2001; 19(2):123-129 27 Vickers A & Zollman C. ABC of complementary 65 White A, Cummings M, Hopwood V, MacPherson medicine: the manipulation therapies: osteopathy H. Op cit, 2001. and chiropractic. BMJ 1999; 319:1176-1179 66 Vincent C. The safety of acupuncture. BMJ 2001; 28 General Osteopathic Council, 323: 467-468 www.osteopathy.org.uk 26/05/04 67 White A, Cummings M, Hopwood V, MacPherson 29 Thomas KJ, Coleman P & Nicholl JP. Op cit, 2003 H. Op. cit, 2001. 30 Thomas KJ, Coleman P & Nicholl JP. ibid 68 Rowlands B. Op cit, 1997 31 Ernst E (ed). The Desktop Guide to Complementary 69 Zollman C & Vickers A. ABC of Complementary Medicine. Mosby, 2001 Medicine. BMJ Books, 2000 32 Williams NH, Wilkinson C, Russell I, Edwards RT, 70 European Herbal Practitioners Association website Hibbs R, Linck P, Muntz R. Randomized osteopathic www.euroherb.com 31/10/04 manipulation study (ROMANS): pragmatic trial for 71 National Institute of Medical Herbalists website spinal pain in primary care. Family Practice 2003; www.nimh.org.uk 31/10/04 20(6): 662-9 72 European Herbal Practitioners Association website 33 Royal College of General Practitioners. Clinical www.euroherb.com 31/10/04 guidelines for the management of acute low back 73 Fisher, Dr P. Consultation response, 23/04/04 pain. RCGP, 1996 54 Further Information

74 Birks J, Grimley Evans J. Ginkgo Biloba for cognitive 121 An introduction to nutritional therapy. British impairment and dementia. The Cochrane Database Association for Nutritional Therapy, 2003 of Systematic Reviews 2002, Issue 4 122 Nutritional Therapy Council PR & Education 75 Ernst E (ed). Op cit, 2001 Committee response to consultation, 21/04/ 04 76 Ernst E (ed). Ibid 123 Marilyn Glenville, response to consultation 77 Sheehan MP, Rustin MH, Atherton DJ, Buckley C, 124 Peters D, Chaitow L, Harris G, Morrison S. Harris DW, Brostoff J, Ostlere L, Dawson A, Harris Integrating Complementary Therapies in Primary DJ. Efficacy of traditional Chinese herbal therapy in Care. Churchill Livingstone, 2002, 59-60 adult atopic dermatitis. The Lancet 1992; July 125 Ernst E (ed). Op cit, 2001 4;340:13-7 and Sheehan MP, Stevens H, Ostlere LS, 126 National Collaborating Centre for Chronic Atherton DJ, Brostoff J, Rustin MH. Follow-up of Conditions. Op cit, 2004 p.132 adult patients with atopic eczema treated with 127 Ernst E (ed). Op cit, 2001 Chinese herbal therapy for 1 year. Clin Exp Dermatol. 128 Ernst E (ed). Ibid 1995; 20(2):136-40 129 Rankin-Box D. The Nurse’s Handbook of 78 Ernst E (ed). Op cit, 2001 Complementary Therapies. Harcourt Publishers, 79 Medical Toxicology Unit, Guy’s and St Thomas’ 2001 Hospital Trust, response to consultation 22/04/04 130 Tavares M. Op cit, 2003 80 McIntyre, A. The herbal for mother and child. 131 Rankin-Box D. Op cit, 2001 Thorsons, 2003 132 Rankin-Box D. Ibid 81 European Herbal Practitioners Association, 133 Information taken from the websites of the Yoga November 2003, by email Therapy Forum (www.yogatherapyforum.org.uk) 82 Ernst, E (ed). Op cit, 2001 and the Yoga Biomedical Trust 83 Barnett H. The Which? Guide to Complementary (www.yogatherapy.org) on 5/02/04 Therapies. Consumers’ Association, 2002 134 Thomas P. What Works What Doesn’t, The Guide to 84 Kohn, Dr M. Complementary therapies in cancer Alternative Healthcare. Newleaf, 2002, 276-278 care. Macmillan Cancer Relief, 2000 135 Yoga for epilepsy. Bandolier. 85 Ernst E (ed). Op cit, 2001 www.jr2.ox.ac.uk/bandolier/booth/alternat/yogepil. 86 Burns A, Byrne J, Ballard C, Holmes C. Sensory html stimulation in dementia. BMJ 2002; 325:1312-1313 136 Ernst E (ed). Op cit, 2001 87 Ernst E (ed). Op cit, 2001 137 Ramaratnam S & Sridharan K. Yoga for epilepsy 88 International Federation of Aromatherapists (Cochrane Review) in The Cochrane Library, Issue 1, website www.ifaroma.org November 2003 2001 89 Rowlands B. Ibid 92-93 138 Taneja I, Deepak KK, Poorjary G, Acharya IN, Pandey 90 Barnett H. Op cit, 2002 RM, Sharma MP. Yogic versus conventional 91 Ernst E (ed). Op cit, 2001 treatment in diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel 92 Aromatherapy Consortium, email communication, syndrome: a randomized control study. Applied 27/10/04 Psychophysiology and Biofeedback 29(1):19-33, 93 Rowlands B. Op cit, 94 March 2004 94 All information supplied by Cranial Forum 139 Coon J. Complementary therapies for treating www.cranio.org.uk 9/12/03 hypercholesterolaemia. Focus on Alternative and 95 Ernst E (ed). Op cit, 2001 Complementary Therapies 7(3):233-236, September 96 www.intelihealth.com 16/10/04 2002 97 Upledger J E. Craniosacral Therapy in Novey D W 140 Woolery A, Myers H, Sternlieb B, Zeltzer L. A yoga (ed). The Complete Reference to Complementary and intervention for young adults with elevated Alternative Medicine. Mosby, 2000 symptoms of depression. Alternative Therapies in 98 National Federation of Spiritual Healers website Health and Medicine 10(2):60-63, March-April 2004 www.nfsh.org.uk, November 2003 141 Ernst E (ed). Op cit, 2001 99 Tavares M. National Guidelines for the Use of Complementary Therapies in Supportive and Palliative Care. The Prince of Wales's Foundation for Integrated Health, 2003 100 Past, Present and Future Medicine. Society of Homeopaths, 1998 101 Faculty of Homeopathy. Homeopathy: a guide for GPs. 2003 102 Zollman C & Vickers A. ABC of Complementary Medicine: homoeopathy. BMJ 1999; 319: 1115- 1118 103 Ibid 104 Bonnet J. Complementary Medicine: information pack for primary care groups. Department of Health, June 2000 105 Bonnet J. Ibid 106 Williams L. Choosing a Course in Complementary Healthcare. The Prince of Wales's Foundation for Integrated Health, 2003, 27 107 Ernst E (ed). Op cit, 2001 108 Tavares M. Op cit, 2003 109 British Society of Medical and Dental Hypnosis website www.bsmdh.org, November 2003 110 Ernst E (ed). Op cit, 2001 111 Lewith G. Understanding Complementary Medicine. Family Doctor Publications, 2002 112 Fields T. Touch Therapy. Churchill Livingstone, 2000 113 Ernst E (ed). Op cit, 2001 114 Ernst E. Massage therapy for low back pain: a systematic review. Journal of Pain Symptom Management 1999; 17:65-69 115 National Collaborating Centre for Chronic Conditions. Multiple sclerosis: national clinical guideline for diagnosis and management in primary and secondary care. Royal College of Physicians, 2004 p.132 116 Zollman C & Vickers A. ABC of Complementary Medicine. BMJ Books, 2000, 32-33 117 Tavares M. Op cit, 2003, p.39 118 Complementary therapies. Breast Cancer Care factsheet, 2002. www.breastcancercare.org.uk/Publications/Factshe ets/3692, 6/11/04 119 Naturopathic Healthcare, www.naturopathy.org.uk October 2003 120 www.bbc.co.uk/health/complementary/therapies_ nutrition.shtml by Jacqueline Young, 28/07/04 55

Acknowledgements Clare Maxwell-Hudson Bridget McCall, Parkinson’s Disease Society We would like to thank the following for their Dr. David McGavin, Anthroposophical Health responses during the consultation about this Professions Council booklet: Sue McGinty, Nutritional Therapy Council Amrit Ahluwalia, European Herbal Practitioners Michael McIntyre, European Herbal Practitioners Association Association Gordon Bagshaw, The Fellowship of Healers Heather Mole Ken Baker, UK Healers Ruth Morozzo, The Scottish Institute of Reflexology Dr. Maureen Baker, Royal College of General Dr. Vivienne Nathanson, British Medical Association Practitioners George Nieman, British Academy of Western Lina Bakhsi Medical Acupuncture Philippa Barton-Hanson, The General Chiropractic Gill Oliver, Macmillan Cancer Relief Council Julie Parkes, International Institute of Reflexology Emerson Bastos (UK) Tracey Beaney, The Reflexology Forum Kate Parrinder Dr. Tom Bell Jacqueline Partridge, UK Reiki Alliance Ron Bishop Sally Penrose, Faculty of Homeopathy and British Dr. Jenny Boyle Homeopathic Association Angela Bradbury, Guild of Naturopathic Iridologists Peter Platt, Northern Healers Forum William Broom, The General Hypnotherapy Carole Preen, Aromatherapy Consortium Standards Council Dr. David Reilly, Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital F.H.G Brown Penelope Robinson, The Chartered Society of Gordon Brown, Department of Health Physiotherapy David Butcher Lindsey Rostron, Breakthrough Breast Cancer Daniel Casley, Self Realisation Meditation Healing Joanne Rule, Cancer BACUP Centres W.S. Sharps Helen Caton-Hughes, Forton Bank Consulting Ltd Debbie Shaw, Medical Toxicology Unit, Guy's & St. Janet Clarke, Hadrian Clinic, Newcastle General Thomas' NHS Trust Hospital Dr. Sheila Shribman, Royal College of Paediatrics Dr. John Clements, Royal Pharmaceutical Society and Child Health Jonathan Coe, Prevention of Professional Abuse Rebecca Sidwell, Department of Health Network Ian Smith, The International Federation of Martin Collins Professional Aromatherapists Dr. Mike Cummings Mari Stevenson, Reiki Regulatory Working Group George Cunningham, General Council for Massage Susan Stirling, International Guild of Professional Therapists Practitioners Michael Dooley Julie Stone, Council for Healthcare Regulatory Elaine Elliot Excellence Jonathan Ellis, Help the Aged Peter Swain, General Medical Council Prof. Edzard Ernst, Peninsula Medical School Marianne Tavares Simon Fielding Dr. Elizabeth Thompson, Bristol Homeopathic Dr. Peter Fisher, Royal London Homeopathic Hospital Hospital Dr. Andrew Tressider Kathleen Glancy, Scottish Executive Sue Wakefield, British Chiropractic Association Marilyn Glenville Tom Walley, British Pharmacological Society Stephen Gordon Mark Walport, The Wellcome Trust Patty Hemmingway, Alliance of Registered Sue Ward, National Eczema Society Homeopaths John Wilks Prof. Stephen Holgate, University of Southampton Richard Woodfield, Medicines and Healthcare Dr. Val Hopwood, Acupuncture Association of products Regulatory Agency Chartered Physiotherapists Susan Wynn, Welsh Assembly Carol Horner Apologies to anyone whose name we may Dr. Richard James, University of Westminster inadvertently have omitted. Alison Jones, Healthy Living Project, Halton Particular thanks are due to all Foundation staff for Dr. Douglas Justins, Royal College of Anaesthetists their comments advice and help: Valerie Cadoret; Charles Kemp, International Self Realisation Healing Patricia Darnell; Diana Dunrossil; Ann Eardley; Jo Association Eede, Michael Fox; Dione Hills; Sally Hughes; Nichole Tom Litten, General Shiatsu Council Hussey; Clare Isaac; Pamela Jack; Hazel Russo; Anna Thomson; Lorraine Williams; and to the members of Dr. Andrew Lockie the Foundation’s Delivery Advisory Group: Dr. Michael Dr. Andrew Manasse, Cavendish Centre for Cancer Dixon, Dr. Sian Griffiths, Ian Hayes, Mike O’Farrell, Care Peter Mackereth, Professor David Peters, Greg Sharp, Dr. Peter Smith, Kate Thomas, Dr. Roy Welford. Complementary Healthcare: a guide for patients

With an increasing number of people using complementary healthcare, the need for reliable and accessible information for patients is crucial. This guide provides patients with the information they need to make fully informed decisions about their healthcare. It takes readers through the process of deciding on a suitable therapy and details how to find a well qualified and registered practitioner. The guide is a simple, concise and easy to use reference source.

The Prince of Wales’s Foundation for Integrated Health is committed to the concept of integrated healthcare. This includes encouraging conventional and complementary practitioners to work together to integrate their approaches. One of the Foundation’s key objectives is the provision of clear and reliable information to patients, practitioners and the public.

www.fihealth.org.uk ISBN 0 9539453 8 3 £5.99