Complementary and alternative medicine

Medical practices which are not part of the standard care in healthcare.

unconventional medicine
alternative and complementary medicine
natural medicine
traditional medicine
complementary medicine
integrative medicine
alternative medicine

knowledge

sector-specific

Complementary and alternative medicine is an essential knowledge of the following occupations:

Acupuncturist: Acupuncturists make use of thin needles and insert them into acupuncture points in the body in order to restore the imbalances of the human body and overall good health. Acupuncturists focus on energy meridians to treat various conditions.
Shiatsu practitioner: Shiatsu practitioners provide health maintenance, health education, whole health evaluation and recommendations for wellbeing, and treatment of certain illness through energetic evaluation of the body’s life energy system (Ki) and regulation of the life energy system through various energetic and manual techniques.
Sophrologist: Sophrologists aim to reduce their clients` stress and produce optimal health and well-being by applying a dynamic relaxation method which consists of a specific set of physical and mental exercises on a doctor’s order.

Complementary and alternative medicine is optional for these occupations. This means knowing this knowledge may be an asset for career advancement if you are in one of these occupations.

Herbal therapist: Herbal therapists use herbal medicine to relief pain and treat illnesses such as allergies, chronic physical conditions or stress-related conditions. They study the properties and benefits of plants and create a personalised treatment plan for the patients.
Aromatherapist: Aromatherapists use essential oils extracted from herbal products at the level of the interface skin and mucous membranes to improve the clients` well-being. They treat a variety of illnesses and physical or psychological conditions, under supervision and on a doctor’s order.
Traditional chinese medicine therapist: Traditional Chinese medicine therapists use alternative medicine approaches to cure illnesses in all its forms. They also use various therapies such as the use of herbal medicines, acupuncture, massages and dietary therapies, to increase the general health of the patient and to prevent a disease from occurring.
Complementary therapist: Complementary therapists use a range of complementary and alternative therapies to work simultaneously with the clients` body, mind, and spirit in a holistic approach. They offer practices and services for holistic wellbeing, health maintenance, health education, health promotion and prevention of illness, along with the sustainable treatment of certain illnesses, especially chronic illnesses. Their practices include but are not limited to acupuncture, aromatherapy, banotherapy, homeopathy, and herbal medicine.

References

1. Complementary and alternative medicine – ESCO