What is complementary health care, and how is it different from alternative medicine?

Complementary health care is a term used to describe therapies and treatments not practiced by traditional medical doctors, but often used in conjunction with or as a complement to traditional medicine. These therapies include chiropractic care, acupuncture, and massage therapy as complements to traditional treatments such as physical therapy or pain medication. They also include dietetic counseling and naturopathy, as well as mind-body techniques such as mental imagery and relaxation skills. Some traditional medical doctors recommend complementary health care therapies for their patients as part of their overall treatment. These therapies historically have not been covered by traditional health insurance plans. The term alternative medicine is used to describe therapies or treatments that are used in place of traditional medical care. Such therapies might include treating cancer with a special diet rather than through surgery or chemotherapy, as might be recommended in Western ...  more