What are complementary and holistic therapies?
Complementary and holistic therapies are generally aimed at working with the body’s own resources to fight disease, and to give a sense of well-being. Complementary care takes a holistic view of a person, taking into account their whole being – body, mind, emotions and spirit, rather than focusing on the area of the body where there may be disease. Many people who try complementary and holistic approaches say it helps them to feel more in control and able to participate in their own care and recovery. There are many different kinds of complementary and holistic therapies, and most can be used alongside hospital treatment. It is a good idea to check with your treatment team that whatever you choose will not interfere with your conventional treatment. There are some important things to consider when choosing the therapy or therapist who will provide you with complementary therapy. You can get more information on this in the “Where can I get complementary therapies?” section.
