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Overview of different forms of Complementary Therapies

Complementary therapies refer to a broad group of natural and spiritual healing methods that are different than the conventional western medicine (or pharmaceutical medicine). Many of these healing methods have been used for centuries in many different cultures.

Since the beginning of the AIDS epidemic, a wide variety of complementary therapies have been used by people with HIV for various purposes including general health promotion, relief of symptoms and cure of certain ailments. Some of the most commonly used ones are described below.

Acupuncture

• Acupuncture involves insertion of extremely fine needles at specific points of the body to help stimulate and balance the flow of energy (called "Qi"). It has often been used to reduce pain, headaches, neuropathy (burning, numbness and pain of fingers and toes) and other symptoms related to HIV or side effects of HIV drugs.

Aromatherapy

• Aromatherapy uses essential oils from plants to treat illness and promote well-being. Oils are often diluted in hot water or added to massage oils and lotion for use. It has often been used in reducing stress, fatigue, thrush and side effects of drugs.

Ayurveda

• Ayurveda Medicine originated in India and is one of the oldest medical systems known. It works to cure illnesses and achieve good health by restoring the balance of the harmony between mind, body and spirit. Treatment methods may include combinations of herbal medicine, dietary changes, meditation, internal body cleansing (using diet or medicine to get rid of the body’s "toxins"), yoga and prayer.

Chiropractic Therapy

• Chiropractic therapy treats illnesses and relieves symptoms by manipulating the spine and muscles. It is most often used to reduce headaches, back and muscle pain as well as reducing stress.

Herbal therapy

• Herbal therapies are part of every medical system including Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese medicine. It uses substances that come from different parts of plants as medicine to treat a variety of illness. The herbal preparation may be eaten, drunk as tea, smoked, inhaled or applied to skin. It may involve a single herb or several herbs used in a mixture.

Homeopathy

• Homeopathy is based on the principle that "like cures like", that is, substances that in large doses would cause symptoms of disease, in small doses, treat those same symptoms. Homeopathy medicines are natural substances in very small, diluted doses that can be used to treat a variety of symptoms.

Massage

• Massage refers to the use of manipulation of muscle and body tissues using a variety of techniques such as rubbing, stroking, kneading or tapping. It is very effective in relieving stress, tension or muscle pains and stimulating circulation.

Meditation

• Meditation uses deep breathing and other techniques to help a person to focus his/her thoughts. It is often practiced in association with spiritual beliefs and is part of many healing systems including Ayurveda. It is often used to reduce stress, anxiety and headaches.

Naturopathy

• Naturopathy is based on the belief that the body has the ability to heal itself. It uses a variety of methods including herbs, diet, homeopathic remedies, massage and hydrotherapy to stimulate the healing ability of the person. It is most often used in HIV disease to enhance the immune function.

Reflexology

• Reflexology is based on the principle that certain points on the hands and feet are connected to other parts of the body. Applying pressure to those points can treat symptoms and help stimulate healing of the corresponding body parts.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

• TCM originated in China and has been practiced for thousands of years. It believes that good health results from having harmony and balance between the body, the mind and the environment. It uses a variety of methods including acupuncture, herbal medicine, diet and exercises to regulate the flow of a person’s life energies (referred to as "Qi") to treat illnesses and to promote health.

Complementary therapies and western medicine do not necessarily replace each other, in fact, often they support, or "complement" each other.

It is important to tell both your western medical care provider and complementary therapists about all the different kinds of treatments you are using.

This will help them get a more complete picture of your treatment plan in order to maximize the benefits of the treatments and to prevent any harmful side effects or interactions between the treatments.

 

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