Difference Between Complementary and Alternative Therapy

Although complementary therapy and alternative therapy are often used
interchangeably, they are two different forms of therapy. You cant
blame others for thinking they are the same since resources use one
term to mean the other, like complementary therapy to mean alternative
therapy and vice versa.
Complementary Therapy Is Different From Alternative Therapy

The fact is that complementary therapy is different from alternative
therapy. The difference actually lies on the end purpose of the
therapy. Complementary therapy aims to "complement" or supplement
conventional therapies or treatments. Furthermore, it aims to make a
person feel better.

Complementary therapy may speed up the pace of healing but it is not
necessarily the cure. There are different kinds of complementary
therapies available today but the most common ones include
acupuncture, aromatherapy, kinesiology, massage, reflexology, yoga and
visualisation. These therapies are performed alongside conventional
medical treatments.

Alternative therapy, on the other hand, refers to those therapies that
claim to cure health problems. They claim to be effective alternatives
to conventional treatments. Although alternative therapy may not have
sufficient scientific or medical proofs, a lot of people are into it
because they have promising benefits.

Some of the well known alternative therapies include Chiropractic,
Homeopathy and Gerson Therapy. These therapies aim to detoxify the
body and boost its natural defence in fighting health problems. The
natural and holistic approach of alternative therapies makes them a
preferred choice of therapy. Alternative therapy battles health
problems the natural way. However, the safety of these therapies is
always questioned.