What is complementary medicine?
Any treatment that is outside the traditional medicine or practice of your primary health system can be considered complementary medicine. A treatment that is complementary in one culture may be traditional in another. For example, ayurveda is a system of health that has been practiced in India for more than 5,000 years, yet it is considered a complementary medicine in the United States.

People often use complementary medicine to improve wellness and quality of life. However, in recent years, more people in the U.S. have been turning to complementary medicine to help manage a wide variety of medical conditions.

Is research being done on complementary medicine?
While many complementary therapies and medicines have been in use for hundreds or even thousands of years, most have not been subject to the same kind of rigorous scientific testing for safety and effectiveness that standard medical treatments must go through before they are approved in the U.S. In many cases, the very nature of a complementary therapy, such as music therapy or prayer, can make it difficult or impossible to evaluate by the same scientific methods.

In 1998, the National Center for Complementary Medicine (NCCAM) was formed within the National Institutes of Health to provide information to the public and to health professionals on the effectiveness of complementary medicine therapies. NCCAM's goal is to develop guidelines to help people choose safe and appropriate alternative and complementary therapies.

The lack of current medical and scientific data on many complementary therapies may make it difficult to use complementary medicine with confidence. Discuss any questions you may have with your primary health professional.

What is complementary medicine used for?
Some form of complementary medicine can be used for almost any health concern or condition. The most common reasons people use complementary medicine in the U.S. are to help manage long-term (chronic) health conditions and to enhance quality of life through wellness efforts.

Should I use complementary medicine?
Before using complementary medicine, think about what motivates you. Seeking a "cure" through complementary medicine can be disappointing or even harmful to your health. Set realistic expectations and beware of false or exaggerated claims. Many complementary therapies can improve health and quality of life, but if a medicine or therapy sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Consider choosing a primary doctor who is receptive to complementary medicine. Consult your primary doctor for help in making decisions about using complementary therapies. He or she can alert you to any potentially dangerous interactions between standard and complementary therapies.

What are the risks of complementary medicine?
While facilities, medications, and practitioners of conventional medicine are closely monitored and regulated in the United States, complementary medicines and therapies may be subject to less testing and regulation. Many practitioners of complementary therapies are extensively educated in their field, but the opportunities for education, licensing, and training in these disciplines may be limited in the U.S.

The greatest risk involved with using complementary medicine is missing a necessary or possibly lifesaving diagnosis or treatment from a practitioner of conventional medicine. It is always best to get as much information as possible—on both complementary and conventional treatments—and then make an informed decision in consultation with your primary health professional.

Other risks associated with complementary therapies include the potential for dangerous interactions with conventional therapies, a lack of evidence on the effectiveness of many complementary therapies, and the fact that the expense of many complementary therapies may not be covered by health insurance.

What are the benefits of complementary medicine?
A unique benefit of complementary medicine is in the holistic approach of many of its practitioners. While a visit to a conventional doctor typically lasts about 10 to 15 minutes, many complementary medicine practitioners take an hour or more to learn about your lifestyle, background, habits, and medical complaint in order to get a more complete picture of your overall health. This personal approach makes many people feel better about beginning a course of treatment.

A person who uses a complementary therapy to treat a condition often benefits from a sense of empowerment. In seeking care outside conventional medicine, you are taking a more active role in your health care, and that can make you feel more in control of your health.

Science has shown that your emotional state can affect your health. Since complementary therapies often emphasize the connection between mind and body, many people respond well to a treatment that addresses their sense of well-being as well as the physical aspects of their conditions.

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