An Alternative Future - A Look at the Complementary Therapy Sector

What is Complementary Therapy?

Complementary therapy is a system of healthcare that uses different techniques and remedies to those provided by GPs and hospitals. Here are a few examples of some of the most popular forms:

Homeopathy: The prescription of natural substances in minimal doses that produce the same symptoms as a given illness, thereby, in theory, strengthening the body’s immune system

Osteopathy: A holistic approach to health that is concerned with the relationship between the body’s structure and function. Osteopathy often involves hands-on manipulation in detecting and treating problems with muscles, ligaments, nerves and joints.

Reflexology: Operates on the basis that reflex areas in the hands and feet are connected to specific areas and organs of the body. The reflex areas are manipulated to combat an array of ailments, from sports injuries to digestive disorders.

Shiatsu: A traditional Japanese form of body therapy that involves the application of pressure by the thumbs or palms to ‘energy channels’ on the body.

Benefits of Complementary Therapy

The effectiveness of complementary therapy has long been a topic of debate and controversy; many in the medical establishment are extremely sceptical of its worth. Some GPs do approve of patients using complementary therapy as a means to maintaining good general health, while others are adamantly against the practice in all its forms.

Several studies have been conducted to ascertain the effect of complementary therapy. One study in the year 2000 in Glastonbury, UK, found that of over 600 patients who underwent therapies such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, homeopathy and osteopathy for chronic muscle and joint pain, eighty five percent reported an improvement in their condition. In 2004, a study at Manchester’s Christie NHS Trust Hospital reported that at least two varieties of essential oils were extremely effective in killing MRSA and E-coli bacteria.   

Regardless of these studies, one thing beyond question is its continuing popularity with the public. The umbrella organisation FICTA (Federation of Irish Complementary Therapy Associations) currently represents over 4,600 practitioners and members. Every year, around 1,500 people enrol in a private college or VEC to study to become a practitioner.

Integrated Healthcare

Complementary therapy was once referred to as alternative medicine. This phrase promoted the view of medicine as an either/or situation, whereby an individual must choose between conventional and non-conventional treatment.

Nowadays however, there is an increasingly popular groundswell of opinion behind providing these therapies as a complementary part of an integrated health system. After all, no reputable complementary therapist would discourage his/her patients from seeking mainstream treatment if their illness warranted such action.

Integrated healthcare envisions complementary therapy playing a major role in primary healthcare. Previously, GPs were viewed as the first defence an individual had against the onset of illness. In reality however, the first step in healthcare is with the individual him/herself, and much of complementary therapy is concerned with maintaining a healthy life and high levels of wellbeing. This view is commonly held in the private sector already; increasing numbers of employers are providing therapies to their employees in an effort to maintain a happy and healthy workforce.

Current Difficulties

A major difficulty with accommodating complementary therapy into the public health system is the lack of regulation, due to the wide spectrum of representative organisations and standards of practice. Some therapies are represented by a single, well-run and well-developed professional association with strong codes of practice, training and ethics.

Other therapies however, have any number of organisations that cannot agree on such vital issues. Worst of all are the individual practitioners who are not members of any professional organisation, and in some cases, have little or no training.

The Future: Education & Certification

For complementary therapy to function within integrated healthcare, there is a need for accountability to the public and a guaranteed level of service, and this is most effectively provided by a well-recognised standard of certification. Some therapies have highly developed training courses with internationally recognised qualifications, while others are in a much earlier stage of development.

It is hoped that an increasing harmonisation of standards among complementary therapies, and a possible federation of the various professional bodies, will provide the framework for incorporating educational awards in complementary therapy into the FETAC and HETAC systems.

Until then, students considering a course in complementary therapy are advised to thoroughly investigate the qualification awarded and ensure it is of the highest possible standard.

See the 2006 Report of the National Working Group on the Regulation of Complementary Therapists to the Minister for Health and Children for more details, available at www.dohc.ie/publications/complementary_therapists.html.