Complementary / Alternative Medicine

Complementary medicine is controversial. Inclusion in the list of links below does not imply any endorsement by Patient UK for the types of treatments discussed or offered.

For a comprehensive website discussing the evidence for these treatments see the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (US site). Another US site of interest is Quackwatch which challenges the validity of some treatments. Also, see what the team at Bandolier (UK site) make of alternative and complementary medicine. (Bandolier is produced monthly in Oxford for the NHS R&D Directorate. It contains bullet points (hence Bandolier) of evidence-based medicine.)

The British Medical Journal (BMJ) published a series of articles in 1999 called the ABC of Complementary Medicine. This may be of interest and can be found under 'Complementary Medicine' in the BMJ Collected Resources.

Main 'umbrella' organisations

 Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC)

CNHC is the national voluntary regulator for complementary healthcare practitioners. Their key function is to enhance public protection, by setting standards for registration with CNHC. Launched in early 2009 it was anticipated that obtaining the CNHC "kitemark" would swiftly be recognised as the hallmark of quality for the sector. Over time, the general public and those who commission the services of complementary healthcare practitioners will be able to choose with confidence, by looking for the CNHC kitemark. The Department of Health is committed to establishing the CNHC as the national voluntary regulator in the complementary healthcare field.

 Using Herbal Medicines: Advice to consumers

Information from The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) which is the government agency responsible for ensuring that medicines and medical devices work, and are acceptably safe.

 British Complementary Medicine Association

A professional organisation whose website includes a find a therapist facility.

 Centre for Study of Complementary Medicine

Aims to provide a specialist, cost-effective and information-led complementary medfical service both privately and within the NHS and to promote the teaching, research and development of complementary medicine.

 Complementary Medical Association

The CMA is the largest professional membership body for complementary medical practitioners in the world. The site offers a find a practitioner database and also a database of CMA registered colleges. The site also contains an encyclopaedia of complementary medical therpies, information on specific conditions and a drug/herb/supplement interaction database.

 Institute for Complementary Medicine (ICM)

A registered charity that was formed in 1982 to provide the public with information on Complementary Medicine. The ICM administers the British Register of Complementary Practitioners (BRCP) which is a register of professional, competent practitioners whom have all been assessed individually. The ICM has a sister Charity the British General Council of Complementary Medicine (BGCCM) which was formed to represent the complex profession of Complementary Medicine through elected and appointed representatives.

 International Guild of Complementary Therapists

The Guild is the UK's largestmultidisciplinary Association for Professional Therapists. If you require a practitioner, their treatment pages contain over 5000 therapy listings. With contact details for practitioners near you.

 Federation of Holistic Therapists

A large association in the UK, representing over 20,000 professional therapists. Founded in 1962 the FHT is a non-profit making organisation who, by setting industry standards, ensure best practice for Therapists and their clients. Their website includes a section where you can find a therapist in your area.

 Complementary Health

Policy and guidance from the Department of Health.

Other UK organisations and websites

 Alexander Technique (Society of Teachers of)

The Society was founded in the UK by teachers who were trained personally by FM Alexander. STAT’s first aim is to ensure the highest standards of teacher training and professional practice.

 Adaptation Practice

Adaptation Practice (AP) is a non-drug treatment for depression, anxiety and stress based in the UK. The site offers information and help.Adaptation Practice is available individually, in small groups and by correspondence (e-mail, letter and telephone - many patients do AP from countries outside the UK).AP was developed by and is run by Dr Clive Sherlock - psychologist and psychiatrist.

 Body Balance

Bodybalance have a range of treatments available. A full consultation is always undertaken prior to treatment to ensure that the best techniques are used to promote maximum health and ultimate well being.

 British Acupuncture Council

Information about all aspects of acupuncture and particularly traditional acupuncture as practised in the United Kingdom.

 British Chiropractic Association

Can supply information about local chiropractors in your area.

 British Herbal Medicine Association

The British Herbal Medicine Association (BHMA) was founded in 1964 to advance the science and practice of herbal medicine in the United Kingdom and to ensure its continued statutory recognition at a time when all medicines were becoming subject to greater regulatory control.

 British Holistic Medical Association

The British Holistic Medical Association (BHMA), formed in 1983 by a group of medical doctors and students, is an organisation of professionals and members of the public who want to adopt a more holistic approach in their own life and work.

 British Medical Acupuncture Society

Information about the society and how to find a local practitioner.

 British Reflexology Association

Founded in 1985 to act as a representative body for persons practising the method of Reflexology as a profession and for students training in the method.

 British Society of Clinical Hypnosis

From this web site you can search for a hypnotist in your area and learn about the code of conduct expected from members of the BSCH.

 BMJ - Collected Resources

All articles published in the British Medical Journal on complementary medicine since January 1998.

 Buteyko Breathing Association

Founded in 1999 to help supervise, co-ordinate and promote the activity of Buteyko practitioners within the UK. Aims to maintain high standards of ethical and safe practice among its members. Through an active training programme it also seeks to increase the number of trained practitioners within the country so as to improve patients access to Buteyko treatment both privately and within the NHS.

 Centre for Conventional and Complementary Medicine

Provides a range of Conventional and Complementary Medicine facilities.

 Chiropractic Association (The United)

The United Chiropractic Association is a UK Based Organisation for Qualified Professional Chiropractors. Their website includes a 'find a chiropracter' section.

 Complementary Healthcare Information Service

Provides information on alternative medicine & holistic health includes a retail section with suppliers of natural products and medicines, equipment, books, music tapes and videos.

 Feldenkrais Guild

Information about the Guild and finding a local practitioner.

 Fellowship of Authors and Artists

The aims of the FAA are to promote and encourage the use of writing and all art forms as a means of therapy and self-healing and to provide a resource and meeting point for all interested parties.

 General Chiropractic Society (the)

The General Chiropractic Council (GCC) is the UK statutory body with regulatory powers, established by the Chiropractors Act 1994. The site lists registered chiropractors.

 General Osteopathic Council (the)

Includes information about osteopathy and an online searchable database to find your local osteopath. It is an offence for anyone to describe themselves as an osteopath and practice as such, unless registered with the General Osteopathic Council. Therefore the public can be confident that in visiting a registered osteopath, they will experience safe and competent treatment from a practitioner who has agreed to abide by a Code of Practice.

 Homeopaths (Society of)

Represents professional homeopaths. Lots of information too for the general public including a 'search for a homeopath' section.

 Homeopathy Home

A starting point for information and links on all aspects of homeopathy.

 Humanistic Psychology (Association for)

A registered charity which promotes and applies a holistic understanding of people.

 Hypnotherapy Society

A Society for professionals but site includes a Therapists directory and information on hypnotherapy.

 Hypnotherapists UK

A directory of Qualified Hypnotherapists throughout the UK.

 IBS Register

A Web Site for those with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and for complementary practitioners who specialise in this field.

 International Institute of Reflexology

The oldest Reflexology school with branches worldwide. In the UK they teach on a regional basis, offering professional Diploma courses which are 1 year in duration. Students attend modules held usually at weekends, and carry out a home-study programme. They are the only school to teach the Original Ingham Method of Reflexology and are a founder member of the Reflexology Forum.

 International Register of Consultant Herbalists & Homoeopaths

Professional organisation for the discipline.

 Internet Health Library

A large UK alternative medicine, complementary therapy and natural health care resource.

 Kinesiology (Academy of Systematic Kinesiology)

Site with information on this technique including practitioners and resources.

 Kinesiology Federation

A professional unifyingorganization for kinesiology practitioners and schools throughout theUK. They provide information about training in kinesiology and, if youare looking for a practitioner, provide contact details of fullyqualified kinesiologists. They maintain standards of training andqualification and currently have more than 500 members, representing themajor branches of kinesiology in the UK.

 Life Plus

Online sales of food supplements.

 Manual Lymphatic Drainage UK

Anassociation of therapists trained in the treatment of lymphoedema and otherpathologies using a technique called Manual Lymphatic Drainage.

 Music Therapists (Association of Professional)

The APMT supports the profession and holds a current register of practising Music Therapists.

 National Council for Hypnotherapy

Holds one of the largest registersof independent Hypnotherapists in the United Kingdom and strives tomaintain the highest standards among its members.

 National Society of Professional Hypnotherapists (NSPH)

Strives toenhance and uphold the profession of hypnotherapy to the higheststandards possible for the benefit of its members and the generalpublic.

 National Institute of Medicial Herbalist

The oldest association of practising herbalists in the western world. Includes a 'Looking for a herbalist?' section - find your nearest fully-qualified practitioner.

 Natural Healing UK

Designed to give access to valuable information relating to holistic treatments and associated complimentary products and services. Includes a directory of therapists.

 Naturopathic Medicine in the UK

Includes pages on: Definition and philosophy of Naturopathic Medicine, techniques used by Naturopathic practitioners, The General Council and Register of Naturopaths, and listings of Registered Naturopaths.

 New Approaches to Cancer

A UK registered charity that promotes the benefits of complementary therapies and holistic treatment for cancer patients and their carers.

 Foundation for Paediatric Osteopathy

The foundation funds an independent subsidized osteopathic clinic devoted entirely to children, trains paediatric osteopaths to set up clinics in all parts of the country, and raises public awareness of children's osteopathy.

 Passion for Life

Online sales of herbal, homoeopathic remedies.

 Powerwatch

Established to help people learn more about electromagnetic fields and how these affect health, and to promote the responsible and efficient use of power.

 Reflexologists (Association of)

The AoR is a member of the Reflexology in Europe Network and the International Council for Reflexologists and provides up-to-date information on reflexology worldwide.

 Reflexology International

Site offering information and resources.

 Reflexology (International Institute of)

Site offering information on courses and practitioners.

  Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine

Set up in 1987 to regulate the practice of Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) in the UK.

 Shiatsu Society (UK)

Provides the national network for Shiatsu students, practitioners and teachers. Holds registers of qualified practitioners, teachers and recommended Shiatsu schools. Can provide the public with any general information on Shiatsu.

 Think Natural

UK based natural health website with articles, reference setion and online purchase.

 Homeopathy

Information from NHS Choices - the government's patient information portal.

 Osteopathy

Information from NHS Choices - the government's patient information portal.