Benefits ·
Some people look at complementary and alternative medicine as an alternative to a more orthodox route to health, but to most it’s a means of complementing their existing health care. Some therapies offer what are considered as complete medical systems, while others are useful for specific concerns and work in different ways.
A therapy that helps one person will not always have the same benefit for someone else, just as some people will need different drugs even though they have been diagnosed with the same condition. Our bodies respond differently and you need to find what’s right for you.
Be realistic about what you want from any treatment. Can your expectations be met? Will it control symptoms/side-effects or simply make them easier to live with? Once you have gathered your information, it is important to discuss this with your healthcare provider, as some complementary therapies such as herbal medicines can effect your HIV drugs.
Some reasons why complementary therapies are used:
- reducing stress and anxiety
- boosting the immune system
- managing symptoms/reducing treatment side-effects
- slowing HIV disease progression
- pain relief
- treatment for infections
- restoring a sense of control and discipline.
Comment
Previous article: What are complementary and alternative medicine? Next article: Concerns about Complementary Therapies
