Massage Therapist: A Quick Review of Complementary/ Alternative Medicine

The term complementary medicine (sometimes called alternative medicine) refers to practices outside the bounds of traditional Western medicine (i.e., pharmaceutical solutions).

Complementary medicine includes a broad and varied spectrum of healing practices. The term complementary is meant to be descriptive of the way such practices can be used in conjunction with Western therapies to provide holistic health-care solutions to clients/patients.

The list provided here is not meant to be comprehensive. Rather, it is designed to introduce you to some of the more common complementary practices in use today.

As you review this list, remember that all complementary medicine practices require some level of training before they can be put into use.

Some of these modalities are quite advanced and require deep study (acupuncture, for example, is doctoral-level work). Less complex practices can be introduced to new practitioners following a short course of study.

Some of the more specific modalities require practitioners to be certified by the sponsoring organization before they can be put to use.
- Acupuncture is the practice of inserting fine needles into the skin to stimulate specific anatomical sites on the human body. The anatomical sites are referred to as acupoints or acupuncture points. Stimulating these points is said to balance energy in the body. Acupuncture is used as both preventive medicine and as treatment for a variety of health issues such as chronic pain. Acupuncture is an advanced practice requiring doctoral-level study.
- Aromatherapy is a holistic treatment in which essential oils such as rose, lavender, and peppermint are combined with carrier oils, lotions, and/or creams to create unique blends. These aromatic blends can be inhaled or diffused into the environment. Aromatherapy is said to alleviate moods, relieve pain, reduce tension/anxiety, and promote relaxation.
- Energy therapy is a broad grouping of practices involving the manipulation of the body’s energy fields. Polarity therapy and Reiki are two examples of well-known energy therapies.
- Hydrotherapy involves the use of water in treatment. Water can be utilized in its various forms (liquid, steam, ice) to treat bodily discomfort and effect positive change. Some examples of hydrotherapy include hot/cold baths, saunas, and wraps.
- Hypnotherapy or hypnosis is a therapeutic approach used to treat a variety of health conditions, such as headaches, uncontrolled pain, and irritable bowel syndrome. Hypnotherapy is also sometimes used to assist patients in stopping addictive behaviors such as smoking.
- Meditation is the mindfulness-based practice of focusing awareness on the breath, bodily sensations, or some other focal point. Meditation can be used to balance one’s mental, emotional, and physical states.
- Movement therapy is a collective term for a wide variety of practices that involve moving the human body in specific ways. Some practitioners use movement approaches such as dance, yoga, tai chi, and Pilates in their therapeutic work. Others become trained in specialized modalities such as continuum movement therapy, authentic movement therapy, Body-Mind Centering®, Alexander Technique, Aston-Patterning Bodywork®, the Trager® Approach, or the Feldenkrais Method®.
- Visualization or guided imagery therapy involves focusing on images that represent who or what one would like to be and have in life. Visualization requires the practitioner to create specific, detailed images and really believe these represent one’s true potential. Visualization therapy is frequently used to promote relaxation, lower stress, reduce cravings, and promote maximal performance.