Concerns about Complementary Therapies ·
Complementary therapy will not solve your life or health problems, so be realistic. Always be cautious about claims made by complementary therapy treatments, as they are not subjected to the same rigorous regulation and control as conventional medicine. Complementary therapies can also have side-effects or be dangerous.
Even though many people report positively about how complementary therapies have helped them, there is limited research to inform us that these treatments can help people with HIV and none that they can deal with it as effectively as antiretroviral drugs.
Complementary therapies are not without medical risk and sometimes have strong, rather than subtle, effects. There are rare reports of injury caused by acupuncture needles and you need to make sure your practitioner uses sterile equipment. Certain relaxation therapies and hypnotherapy can free up buried emotions and you can find yourself being temporarily more distressed.
Herbal medicines are a particular area of concern. Some cause side effects in themselves and some interact with HIV drugs. You should never, for instance, take the herb St John’s Wort if you are taking protease inhibitors, and garlic supplements can also interfere with protease inhibitor levels. Even high levels of vitamins can be toxic. Be sensible and take an ordinary-strength supplement if you do.
If you are using complementary therapies, it is vital to let your HIV doctor know exactly what you are using and to let your complementary therapy practitioner know you have HIV and are on medication, if you are.
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