Complementary Therapies can be useful in increasing your sense of control over what is happening to you, reducing your feelings of helplessness, decreasing stress and anxiety and improving your mood. Some Complementary Therapies may reduce the amount of medication needed for pain control.

However, there are a number of unproven therapy options available and some of these may be harmful, especially when combined with traditional medical treatments.

You can access fact sheets on alternative treatments by either telephone or from the internet:

Cancer Council Victoria (13 11 20):
Established treatments, treatments being trialled and alternative (unproven) treatments for cancer

Cancer Council NSW (02 9334 1900):
Complementary and Alternative therapies: making an informed decision

Cancer Council Victoria's helpline can also give you advice - 13 11 20 

Let your doctor know if you plan to use Complementary Therapies. It will help them understand your needs and advise on how to avoid any adverse interactions. It is equally important to inform the Complementary Therapist of your cancer and its treatment.

Some people also find that meditation and other relaxation techniques can be calming and sometimes helpful in easing pain. See our Relaxation and Exercise category.

In our Directory, Complimentary Therapies is grouped into the following sub-categories:

• Acupuncture
• Chinese and Herbal Medicine
• Homeopathy
• Naturopathy
• Other

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medicine that involves the insertion of fine needles into specific points on the body. The points are selected to correspond with the symptoms of the illness.

Acupuncture techniques aim to promote self healing and symptom management, including pain relief.

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Chinese and Herbal Medicine

Herbal Medicine uses various remedies derived from plants and plant extracts to treat disorders and maintain health. Another term for this type of treatment is phytotherapy or botanical medicine.

Herbal Medicine practitioners are often also Naturopaths who offer a range of complementary medicine options.

Chinese Herbal Medicine is part of a large healing system known as Chinese Traditional Medicine, which embraces other treatment methods such as acupuncture and massage.

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Homeopathy

Homeopathy seeks to stimulate the body's defense mechanisms and processes to encourage the body to heal itself.

Homeopathic treatment involves giving very small doses of substances called remedies. According to Homeopaths, these remedies produce the same or similar symptoms of illness in healthy people as if they were given in larger doses.

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Naturopathy

Naturopathy is a collective term used to describe a diverse range of complementary medicine practitioners.

Naturopaths provide holistic or whole person healthcare (mind, body and soul) using several traditional systems of medicine. They promote the natural healing powers of the body, aiming to achieve optimal conditions that allow the body to cure itself.

Many Naturopaths use a range of treatment methods including diet and nutrition, massage, herbal medicine, homeopathy, and vitamin and mineral therapy. Some Naturopaths may also have qualifications in other modalities such as acupuncture or ayurveda medicine.

When selecting a Naturopath, consider the treatment modalities and treatment options that they offer, whilst also ensuring that they have registration with a reputable national association.

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Other

There are a number of other complementary therapies which we have grouped in this sub category eg aromatherapy, ayurvedic medicine, hypnotherapy, reiki and kinesiology.

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