Your practice has always supported complementary medicine. This is a better term than alternative medicine as alternative implies substitution whereas complementary is additional to the conventional medicine practised by us.

Most complementary practitioners also prefer to support conventional medicine and do not therefore describe themselves as alternative therapists. We are also prepared to accept that for many conditions complementary practitioners can achieve results far superior to conventional health services alone. Occasionally, complementary therapy alone is all that is required but you should always involve your personal medical adviser who may point out hidden benefits of your conventional therapy.

The publishers Thorsons have a range of books describing the principles of several complementary therapies ranging from acupuncture and the Alexander technique through to vibrational healing and yoga. Remember that the books are written by practitioners who want your custom. The claims made must be treated with much caution. A catalogue is available from Thorsons on 0870 900 2050 department 74G.

Many herbal and other remedies are either not covered by regulations or only covered by regulations regarding food supplements. This does not mean that they are safe. For example, some Chinese herbal remedies have been shown to cause serious liver and kidney damage. The Chinese herbs Aristolochia, Stephania tetranda and  Magnolia officinalis have been banned in the UK after some patients developed kidney failure. Kava Kava has now also been banned after it was found to be the cause of many cases of liver failure around the world.

We are often asked about whether a particular complementary therapy is safe or appropriate. We can rarely be so specific because the data available to us may be very much less than we are accustomed to. Safety tests for prescribed drugs involve multimillion pounds of investment that include checks regarding potential harmful effects when combined with other common drugs. What is certain is that interactions between prescribed medications and herbal remedies are increasingly being found as the cause of problems with serious side effects.

A classic example of the problem is St John’s Wort. The first draft of this page confirmed its effectiveness in mild to moderate depression but expressed caution because the active ingredient in commercial preparations varied so widely that many did not provide the required level of active ingredient hypericin (900 micrograms).
We knew that the way the drug worked may interfere with the action of other drugs and advised that as testing against such drugs had not taken place it should not be taken if any other drug was a necessity. No studies that have been carried out covered a period longer than 8 weeks so there is also no long term safety information.
Recently it was noted that persons on drugs to ensure survival of their transplanted kidneys, heart etc. were found to have significantly reduced  action of those drugs by taking St Johns Wort. Once this information became available specialists looked at potential interaction with other drugs and the danger became even clearer.
If you are taking any medication including the oral contraceptive pill DO NOT USE ST JOHNS WORT. For up to date information ask your personal medical adviser, your GP.

The number of people taking a particular remedy  without reporting problems suggests that it may be relatively harmless. However, there is no database to collect details of adverse reactions and usually no details of any drug interactions.

The lack of standardisation may also be the reason behind the wide range of results obtained in studies. For example in the case of echinacea, the three species, the various parts of the plant used (root, stem and flower), different harvest times and the method of preparation (tincture, extract in water, extract in alcohol, tablet) all combine to lead to different products.

For further information on herbal and similar remedies click on the buttons on the left above.

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Osteopathy is a system of manual medicine which is concerned with the inter-relationship between the structure of the body and the way in which the body functions. Osteopaths both diagnose and treat by manipulating the musculoskeletal system. They now have a professional register, operated by the General Osteopathic Council (GOC), that guarantees their qualifications. It is illegal for any person not on the register to call themselves an osteopath. Unfortunately, some osteopaths do not agree with the way the register is being set up as some are not deemed to have had enough training. It appears that one training college was not accredited by the GOC requiring some osteopaths to undergo further training. Some have threatened to continue calling themselves osteopaths risking prosecution. Others are trying to use a similar title which may be confuse the public. The GOC will tell you about a person's registration. The GOC can be contacted on 020 7357 6655 http://www.osteopathy.org.uk

 
Chiropractic diagnoses and treats mechanical disorders of the joints, muscles and ligaments of the body by manipulation. Chiropractic is based on the premise that dysfunction of the spine, pelvis and extremity articulations may disturb associated nerve function. X-rays may be used to aid diagnosis. The General Chiropractic Council is the statutory body responsible for protecting patients by regulating the practice of chiropractic as well as setting standards of education, practice and conduct for chiropractors. From 14th June 2001, it was illegal to claim to be a chiropractor if the person is not on the statutory chiropractic register.  http://www.gcc-uk.org  The website lists chiropractors by name and geographical  order.
If you want to check a chiropractor is registered or check names of local chiropractors 0845 601 1796 email enquiries@gcc-uk.org
The General Chiropractic Council advises us that chiropractic is a safe and effective treatment for

The GCC goes on to state that some patients with the following conditions may benefit from chiropractic:

UK trials funded by the Medical Research Council showed that chiropractic treatment was 30% more effective than hospital outpatient management mainly for patients with chronic or severe back pain and that patients with low back pain treated by chiropractors derive more benefit and long term satisfaction than those treated by hospitals.

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Homeopathy: This is a treatment system using very low doses of a preparation which can cause the symptoms being treated - like cured by like. For example, raw onions cause watery eyes and irritation of nose so a very low dose may be used to treat hay fever especially when the nose and eyes are affected.
It is used to treat a wide range of acute and chronic physical and emotional illness. It tends not to be effective when the body's own repair mechanisms are not working. 

Categories of conditions treated by homeopaths include:

There is evidence of effectiveness particularly in treatment of influenza and conditions with an allergic component such as asthma, rhinitis and hay fever.

The Faculty of Homeopathy regulates the training and practice of homeopathy by medically qualified doctors, vets and other health care professionals.
The most experienced homeopathic physicians are Fellows (FFHom) or Members (MFHom) of the Faculty.
Licensed Associates (LFHom) are doctors who have passed the Primary Health Care examination and may use homeopathy for minor ailments.
http://www.trusthomeopathy.org      020 7566 7810

There is no single registering body for non-medically qualified homeopaths. The Society of Homeopaths is the largest organisation representing specialist homeopaths. All homeopaths registered with the Society (RSHom) practise in accordance with a Code of Ethics and Practice, hold professional insurance and have passed academic and clinical assessments before being admitted to the Register. 01604 621 400.   Up to top

Hypnotherapy: A medical magazine recently described the mode of action for hypnosis as: misdirected attention + belief + expectation + imagination = hypnosis. Hypnotherapy starts with hypnosis which is the induction of a deeply relaxed state with increased suggestibility and suspension of critical faculties. Whatever the way it works, you remain under control and will only do things you are willing to do. Once the state is achieved, patients are given therapeutic suggestions to encourage changes in behaviour or relief of symptoms.

The primary use of hypnosis is in:

Doctors and dentists are trained through the British Society of Medical and Dental Hypnosis. Dr Causer has completed the courses up to the advanced level. However as the therapy has to be done in his own time only a few patients can be accommodated and they are selected by the doctor. Asking for hypnosis is not an option so you should contact the secretary of the Society for details of doctors seeing patients locally. The service is not funded by the NHS so do ask about the charges. The secretary is available by e-mail valentine.la@talk21.com or phone 020 8905 4342 or 07000 560 309.

By special request, Dr Causer does provide a private service but the selection of clients is still quiet strict.   Up to top

Nutritional Therapy: This is not the same as a dietitian. A dietitian advises on healthy eating in accordance with official guidelines regarding medical conditions. A nutritional therapist looks at the intake of foods, vitamins and minerals looking to answer the question "What is making this person ill?" and then "What can I do to get them better?". Nutritional therapy goes back a long way. For example, the Jewish tradition of feeding chicken soup to the ill (recently found to have anti-infective properties) and also lemons to prevent scurvy in mariners.
There is a significant overlap with herbal medicine and allergy and environmental factors are increasingly taken into account.
Unfortunately, anybody can call themselves a nutritional therapist as the title is unregulated. Send £2 to the British Association of Nutritional Therapists 0870 606 1284 and ask for a referral list or contact the Institute of Optimum Nutrition on 020 8877 9993. You still need to be cautious.    Up to top

Vitamins and minerals

Click here for onsite information about vitamins and minerals.

Remember to read the site warning.  Up to top