Complementary therapists use a range of complementary and alternative therapies to work simultaneously with the client’s body, mind, and spirit holistically. They offer practices and services for holistic well-being, health maintenance, health education, health promotion and prevention of illness, and the sustainable treatment of certain illnesses, especially chronic ones. Their practices include but are not limited to acupuncture, aromatherapy, banotherapy, homeopathy, and herbal medicine.
Includes people performing Acupuncture, Alexander Technique, Aromatherapy, Art therapy, Autogenic training, Ayurveda, Bach Flower Remedies, Balneotherapy, Bioresonance, Bowen therapy Buyteko, Chi Gung, Craniosacral therapy, Cupping, Feldenkreis, Herbalism, Homeopathy, Hydrotherapy, Hypnotherapy, Iridology, Kinesiology, Macrobiotics, Massage, Music Therapy, Naturopathy, Neuro linguistic programming, Osteopathy, Phythotherapy, Pilates, Polarity therapy, Reflexology, Reiki, Rolfing, Sports massage, Shiatsu, T’ai Chi, Tibetan Medicine, TCM, Yoga. Includes doctors of medicine or other healthcare professionals (e.g. physiotherapist) who perform complementary therapy.
The following job titles also refer to complementary therapist:
traditional therapist traditional practitioner of natural health alternative therapist ayurveda practitioner therapist in complementary medicine practitioner in complementary therapy holistic therapist practitioner in complementary medicine naturopathic practitioner sustainable health practitioner natural medicine therapist complementary therapy practitioner natural health practitioner alternative medicine therapist naturopath complementary practitioner alternative medicine practitioner complementary medicine practitioner
Complementary Therapists may work in private practices, holistic health centers, or integrative healthcare settings. The working conditions can vary, and practitioners may need to adapt to the preferences and needs of their clients. The role may involve flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate clients’ schedules.
The educational requirements for Complementary Therapists can vary based on the specific modality they practice. Many therapists undergo formal training and certification in their chosen therapies, often from accredited institutions. Practical experience, such as internships or supervised practice, is valuable in gaining hands-on skills. Some regions may have licensing or certification requirements for specific complementary therapies, and practitioners should adhere to the regulations in their area. Continuous learning, attending workshops, and staying connected with the complementary therapy community contribute to the ongoing success of Complementary Therapists in providing holistic and individualized healthcare.
ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:
the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.
Complementary therapist is a Skill level 4 occupation.
This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of complementary therapist.
Human physiology: The science that studies the human organs and its interactions and mechanisms.
Human anatomy: The dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and altered anatomy and physiology throughout the human lifespan.
Develop therapeutic relationships: Maintain the individual therapeutic relationship to engage the individual’s innate healing capacities, achieve active collaboration in the health education and healing process and maximise the potential of healthy change.
Follow-up on healthcare users’ treatment: Review and evaluate the progress of the prescribed treatment, making further decisions with the healthcare users and their carers.
Ensure safety of healthcare users: Ensure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person’s needs, abilities or the prevailing conditions.
This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of complementary therapist. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
Sport and exercise medicine: Prevention and treatment of injuries or conditions resulting from a physical activity or sport.
Pathologies treated by acupuncture: The types and range of conditions, such as physical pain, headaches, back pain, allergies, addictions, digestive problems, or colds, that are treated by acupuncture.
Balneotherapy: The use of therapeutic baths to treat various conditions through relaxation, massage or stimulation techniques. This includes the beneficial properties of mineral waters and mud-wrapping techniques.
Biomedicine: The study of the human body in relation to medicine and the environment. This includes the applications and practices involved in biological and natural sciences.
Types of essential oils: Distinction of different types of essential oils derived from plants. Healing and therapeutic properties of these, as well as their effect on the body. Methods of diffusion such as through air, inhalation or by topical applications.
Etiopathy: Alternative medicine therapy which has as its basis the idea that the practitioner uses only his hands to treat the patient’s symptoms in the longer term by diagnosing the deeper cause of the illness.
Health care legislation: The patients` rights and responsibilities of health practitioners and the possible repercussions and prosecutions in relation to medical treatment negligence or malpractice.
Electrical stimulation in acupuncture: The technique used in acupuncture where electric conducting pads are placed on a skin area and a low-frequency electric current is passed through it to stimulate the acupuncture points.
Fasciatherapy: A manual therapy applied on the fascia (the connective tissue woven through the entire body) which is used for the treatment of physical or psychological disorders such as pain and movement disorders.
Types of aromatherapy treatments: Field of information that distinguishes various ways to apply aromatherapy treatment, such as massages, inhalers, baths, vaporizers, compresses, diffusers, meditation or deodorizers.
Neurophysiology: The medical specialty which is concerned with the study of the nervous system functionalities.
Reflexology: The application of pressure to plantar, palmar, facial, cranial, dorsal, atrial and reflex points of the body with a specific finger or hand gestures and techniques, such as acupressure and the massage of reflex points located on the body.
Traditional Chinese medicine: Theories of traditional Chinese medical practices that put emphasis on various mind and body practices, as well as herbal medicine to treat or prevent various health problems.
Acupressure: The principles applied in acupuncture using only physical pressure on acupuncture points on the body, unblocking meridians through which the energy called “Qi” is flowing.
Sophrology: The principles and techniques such as concentration, deep breathing, relaxation and visualisation designed to bring the consciousness in harmony with the body.
Reiki: The alternative medicine technique based on the belief that universal energy is transmitted to the patient through the palms of the practitioner.
Supervision of persons: The act of directing one individual or a group of individuals in a certain activity.
Phytotherapy: The characteristics, the effects and the use of herbal medicines.
Administrative tasks in a medical environment: The medical administrative tasks such as registration of patients, appointment systems, record keeping of patients information and repeated prescribing.
Consultation: The theories, methods and concepts related to consultation and client communication.
General medicine: General medicine is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
Vojta therapy: The therapy based on reflex creeping, in a prone lying position of the patient and reflex rolling, in a side-lying position of the patient, through a goal-directed pressure which enables the recovery of the nervous and the locomotion system of the patient.
Pharmacology: Pharmacology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
Breathing techniques: The various techniques to control the voice, body, and nerves by breathing.
Older adults’ needs: The physical, mental, and social needs of frail, older adults.
Types of spa: Field of information which distinguishes different kinds of spa such as thermal, hammam, medical, ayurvedic, relaxation, destination and traditional spas. These practices differ in treatments, therapies, services, programmes and provisions.
Composition of diets: The planning, selection, composition and manufacturing of diets for healthy and ill persons.
Multi-professional cooperation in health care: The way to behave during team meetings, visits and meetings in multi-professional cooperation especially with other health professionals.
Energy therapy: Alternative medicine therapy that assumes that healers use the channel healing energy to get positive effects on the patient’s well-being.
Sterilization techniques: The methods and techniques used to destroy or remove microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria that can contaminate medical instruments or any type of material in a health care setting.
Clinical psychological treatment: Treatment methods and intervention strategies used in clinical psychology, such as the treatment of persons with mental illnesses and disorders in different settings, with different clinical symptoms and problems and with different age groups.
Behavioural disorders: The often emotionally disruptive types of behaviour a child or adult can show, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or oppositional defiant disorder (ODD).
Massage theory: Principles of holistic therapeutic body massage, the application of massage techniques and the appropriate body posture, massage sequences and different mediums, massage benefits and contraindications.
Biology: Tissues, cells, and functions of plant and animal organisms and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.
Iridology: Alternative medicine therapy which has as its basis the idea that the patterns and other characteristics of the iris represent the entire body, thus the physical, mental or emotional health conditions can be seen by studying the iris.
Therapeutic massage: Massage techniques used to relieve pain and alleviate other symptoms associated with a number of different medical conditions.
Pedagogy: The discipline that concerns the theory and practice of education, including the various instructional methods for educating individuals or groups.
Characteristics of plants: The varieties, characteristics and structural and functional features of plants, depending on their habitat.
Massage types: Techniques used and types of massage therapies such as shiatsu, deep tissue massage, Swedish, hot stone and Thai massage.
Relaxation techniques: The various methods and techniques used to alleviate stress and bring peace and relaxation to the body and mind. This includes activities such as yoga, qigong or t`ai chi.
Tai chi: The traditional medicine practice, originally conceived as a martial art, which is based on Chinese philosophical principles and is known for its defense training and health benefits.
Shiatsu: The complementary medicine massage therapy that is based on the theoretical framework of traditional Chinese medicine and it is performed by finger massages on clients to reduce their stress and pain according to the shiatsu principles.
Auriculotherapy: Alternative medicine therapy that has as its basis the idea that the ear is a microsystem that represents the entire body. Thus the physical, mental or emotional health conditions can be treated from the ear surface by means of reflexology and acupuncture.
Psychology: The human behaviour and performance with individual differences in ability, personality, interests, learning, and motivation.
Behavioural therapy: The characteristics and foundations of behavioural therapy, which focuses on changing patients` unwanted or negative behaviour. It involves studying the present behaviour and the means by which this can be unlearned.
Applied kinesiology: An alternative medicine method and chiropractic method using muscle tests to indicate muscle strengths and weaknesses in order to diagnose illness and prescribe treatment to an individual.
Homeopathy remedies: The characteristics, components and effects of homeopathic medication.
Chemistry: The composition, structure, and properties of substances and the processes and transformations that they undergo; the uses of different chemicals and their interactions, production techniques, risk factors, and disposal methods.
Homeopathy: The alternative medicine whereby pills or liquid mixtures containing only a little of an active ingredient (usually a plant or mineral) can treat a disease.
Ayurveda medicine: The traditional Indian medical system involving a holistic approach. This includes various remedies and techniques to promote wellness and treat illnesses and ailments.
Skin types: The different skin types, such as dry, normal, oily, and sensitive.
Pathology: The components of a disease, the cause, mechanisms of development, morphologic changes, and the clinical consequences of those changes.
Kinesiology: The study of human movement, performance and function, the sciences of biomechanics, anatomy, physiology and neuroscience.
Marketing principles: The principles of managing the relationship between consumers and products or services for the purpose of increasing sales and improving advertising techniques.
Be in touch with your body: The key aspects of applied anatomy, psychology, nutrition, physiology, and psychosocial studies and how they relate to the self-awareness of one’s body.
Special needs education: The teaching methods, equipment and settings used to support students with special needs in achieving succes in school or community.
Movement techniques: The various types of movement and physical postures undertaken for relaxation, body-mind integration, stress reduction, flexibility, core support and rehabilitation purposes, and that are required for or underpin occupational performance.
Dietetics: The human nutrition and dietary modification for optimising health in clinical or other environments. The role of nutrition in promoting health and preventing illness across the life spectrum.
Osteopathy: The type of alternative medicine that manipulates the body`s muscle tissues, joints and bones.
Acupuncture methods: Techniques and methods used to normalise the flow of Qi energy in the body for relieving pain and related symptoms by applying various specific types of needles into different acupuncture points.
First aid: The emergency treatment given to a sick or injured person in the case of circulatory and/or respiratory failure, unconsciousness, wounds, bleeding, shock or poisoning.
Spa products: Keep up to date with new spa products such as certain oil and nail products being introduced by the market, and implement their benefits in the company or facility.
Play therapy: The therapy that uses play to communicate with and help children towards a better social integration, emotional development and trauma resolution.
These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of complementary therapist. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
Prepare oils: Select the appropriate oils for the client, mix and blend them to create individualised compounds with specific needs and ratios for clients, keeping records of applied treatments and the blends used during the therapy.
Manage supplies: Monitor and control the flow of supplies that includes the purchase, storage and movement of the required quality of raw materials, and work-in-progress inventory. Manage supply chain activities and synchronise supply with the demand of production and customers.
Educate on the prevention of illness: Offer evidence-based advice on how to avoid ill health, educate and advise individuals and their carers on how to prevent ill health and/or be able to advise how to improve their environment and health conditions. Provide advice on identifying risks leading to ill health and help increase the patients’ resilience by targeting prevention and early intervention strategies.
Select acupuncture points: Based on the examination of the patient and his/her symptoms, decide on which acupuncture points to be stimulated and with what technique.
Undertake clinical audit: Undertake internal clinical audit by collecting statistical, financial and other data related to service delivery.
Communicate with customers: Respond to and communicate with customers most efficiently and appropriately to enable them to access the desired products or services or any other help they may require.
Deliver sophrology exercises: Teach sophrology exercises and attend to individual and group sessions, adapting them according to each person’s abilities and needs.
Sell services: Encourage sales by identifying the customer’s buying needs and by promoting the benefits and features of the organisation’s services. Respond to and resolve customer objections and agree to mutually beneficial terms and conditions.
Counsel healthcare users on medicines: Discuss and agree with healthcare users on the appropriate use of medicines, providing the healthcare user with sufficient information to assure the safe and proper use of the medicine.
Prepare exercise session: Prepare equipment and facilities for the session ensuring compliance with industry and national guidelines for normal operating procedures. Plan timings and sequences for the session.
Provide health psychological advice: Provide health psychological expert opinions, reports and advice about health-related risk behaviour and its causes.
Empathise with the healthcare user: Understand the background of clients` and patients’ symptoms, difficulties and behaviour. Be empathetic about their issues; showing respect and reinforcing their autonomy, self-esteem and independence. Demonstrate a concern for their welfare and handle according to the personal boundaries, sensitivities, cultural differences and preferences of the client and patient in mind.
Perform shiatsu massages: Perform massages on clients to reduce their stress and pain according to the shiatsu principles, based on the theoretical framework of traditional Chinese medicine.
Oversee spa maintenance: Inspect, direct and execute preventive maintenance and repair of spa facilities. Check for the proper functioning and availability of equipment and supplies. Contact and coordinate on-site maintenance of contractors and their operational costs.
Sell products: Encourage sales by identifying the customer’s buying needs and by promoting benefits and features of the organisation’s products. Respond to and resolve customer objections and agree to mutually beneficial terms and conditions.
Obtain healthcare user’s medical status information: Gather healthcare user information through various sources, such as questioning the healthcare user, caregiver, or healthcare professional to obtain information on the patient`s health and social status and interpreting records made by other healthcare professionals when appropriate.
Give massages: Provide clients with head, hand, neck, facial or full body massages.
Apply a holistic approach in care: Use bio-psycho-social models for care and take into account cultural and existential dimensions of the healthcare user, transforming a holistic understanding into practical measures.
Archive healthcare users’ records: Properly store the health records of healthcare users, including test results and case notes so that they are easily retrieved when required.
Manage staff: Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives. Monitor and measure how an employee undertakes their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed. Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve this. Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship among staff.
Conduct cupping therapy: Perform cupping therapy by means of a local suction on a skin area with the aid of a glass, therapy which increases the flow of blood to the area being treated, allowing to treat several conditions.
Direct movement experiences: Assist clients or patients in moving in a structured or improvisatory manner for expressive purposes.
Monitor stock level: Evaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.
Inform clients of healthy lifestyle benefits: Provide accurate information about the role of physical activity and stimulate exercisers with controlled health conditions to adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle behaviour. Inform clients on principles of nutrition and weight management.
Monitor patients’ progress related to treatment: Observe and report on healthcare users’ response to medical treatment, monitoring their progress or decay on a daily basis and modifying the treatment procedures whenever necessary.
Demonstrate professional attitude to clients: Demonstrate responsibility and professional duty of care to clients which will include communication skills and a focus of customer care orientation.
Apply deep tissue massage: Apply precise techniques and pressures to bring changes to specific tissue layers in the body.
Develop personalised massage plan: Determine the massage treatment to be applied based on the medical diagnosis, the prescription plan, and according to the condition of the patient.
Manage healthcare users’ data: Keep accurate client records that also satisfy legal and professional standards and ethical obligations to facilitate client management, ensuring that all clients’ data (including verbal, written and electronic) are treated confidentially.
Apply business acumen: Take appropriate actions in a business environment in order to maximise possible outcome from each situation.
Ensure safety of exercise environment: Select the correct training environment and assess risks to ensure it provides a safe, clean and friendly fitness environment and that it will be the best use of the environment in which clients are exercising.
Deal with emergency care situations: Assess the signs and be well-prepared for a situation that immediately threatens a person’s health, security, property or environment.
Study topics: Carry out effective research on relevant topics to be able to produce summary information appropriate to different audiences. The research may involve looking at books, journals, the internet, and/or verbal discussions with knowledgeable persons.
Apply massage oil: Administer oil on the client, either through sprays, salt baths, massage oils or inhalation techniques.
Apply acupuncture: Use procedures involving the stimulation of anatomical points on the body by a variety of techniques, such as penetrating the skin with thin, metallic needles manipulated by the hands or by electrical stimulation in order to relieve pain or achieve other therapeutic benefits.
Provide health education: Provide evidence-based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.
Identify customer’s needs: Use appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customers expectations, desires and requirements according to products and services.
Communicate effectively in healthcare: Communicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, healthcare professionals, and community partners.
Undertake healthcare examination: Assess the healthcare user’s physical state, taking detailed information on previous injuries, surgery, general health, resources and lifestyle into account.
Process medical insurance claims: Contact the patient`s health insurance company and submit the appropriate forms with information on the patient and treatment.
Follow clinical guidelines: Follow agreed protocols and guidelines in support of healthcare practice that are provided by healthcare institutions, professional associations, or authorities and also scientific organisations.
Advise on healthy lifestyles: Promote healthy lifestyles, preventive measures and self-care by strengthening empowerment, promoting health and enhancing behaviours and therapeutic compliance, providing patients with the adequate information in order to support compliance with and adherence to prescribed treatments, medication and nursing care.
Promote homeopathy: Promote the effects and application of homeopathy to various events and seminars within the community or to other health care professionals.
Conduct physical examinations: Conduct physical examination of healthcare users, looking for signs of dysfunction and sub-optimal function and analysing the patient`s systems, posture, spine and reflexes.
Collect healthcare user’s general data: Collect qualitative and quantitative data related to the healthcare user’s anagraphic data and provide support on filling out the present and past history questionnaire and record the measures/tests performed by the practitioner.
Use communication techniques: Apply techniques of communication that allow interlocutors to better understand each other and communicate accurately in the transmission of messages.
Advise on healthcare users’ informed consent: Ensure patients/clients are fully informed about the risks and benefits of proposed treatments so they can give informed consent, engaging patients/clients in the process of their care and treatment.
Prescribe topical therapy: Prescribe topical therapy and medication, such as foams, lotions, ointments and creams, to patients with dermatological conditions.
Discuss the medical history of the healthcare user: Ask the healthcare user about his medical condition and physical well-being and the desired results to be achieved through the suggested therapy and follow the prescribed treatment.
Advise on mental health: Advise persons of all ages and groups in terms of the health-promoting aspects of individual behaviour and institutions with regard to the personal, social and structural factors on physical and mental health.
Prescribe exercises: Provide a range of exercise programmes in accordance with the needs of the clients by applying principles of exercise programming.
Work with chemicals: Handle chemicals and select specific ones for certain processes. Be aware of the reactions that arise from combining them.
Promote healthy lifestyle: Provide information to clients about the role of physical activity, modes of exercise and related services and the importance of healthy activities for daily living.
Comply with quality standards related to healthcare practice: Apply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associations and authorities.
Promote balance between rest and activity: Provide information about the role of rest and regeneration in the development of sport performance. Foster rest and regeneration by providing appropriate ratios of training, competition and rest.
Listen actively: Give attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of customers, clients, passengers, service users or others, and provide solutions accordingly.
Observe healthcare users: Observe healthcare users and record significant conditions and reactions to drugs, treatments, and significant incidents, notifying a supervisor or physician when required.
Identify energetic meridians: Identify and locate energy meridians, the paths in the body through which, according to Traditional Chinese medicine, the life-energy “Qi” flows.
Apply aromatherapy: Use the therapeutic benefits of essential oils to produce massage blends, cream or lotions and help improve the physical and emotional health and well-being.
Promote inclusion: Promote inclusion in health care and social services and respect diversity of beliefs, culture, values and preferences, keeping in mind the importance of equality and diversity issues.
Reflect on practice: Routinely evaluate own practice, critically evaluating and monitoring the practice methods and outcomes in consistent, coherent and appropriate ways, being aware of relevant methodologies and utilising feedback from managers, supervisors, other professionals, and patients/clients, in order to adapt the practice accordingly.
Promote mental health: Promote factors that enhance emotional well-being such as self-acceptance, personal growth, purpose in life, control of one`s environment, spirituality, self-direction and positive relationships.
Interact with healthcare users: Communicate with clients and their carer’s, with the patient’s permission, to keep them informed about the clients’ and patients’ progress and safeguarding confidentiality.
Conduct a homeopathic consultation: Inquire about the patient’s lifestyle, eating habits, personality, emotional balance, and medical history in order to get a complete understanding of the patient’s situation.
Apply organisational techniques: Employ a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the goals set. Use these resources efficiently and sustainably, and show flexibility when required.
Provide preparation for childbirth: Provide information to the mother-to-be related to the childbirth procedures in order to be prepared and know what to expect.
Apply context specific clinical competences: Apply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within one`s own scope of practice.
Train employees: Lead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the performance of individuals and groups in organisational settings.
Prepare sophrology session: Plan and prepare the equipment and facilities for the sophrology session and plan timings and sequences for the session, creating a relaxing and comforting environment.
Employ foreign languages in care: Communicate in foreign languages with healthcare users, their carers, or services providers. Use foreign languages to faciliate patient care according to the needs of the patient.
Monitor patient’s health condition: Frequently examine the mental or physical health condition of a patient, monitor the use of medication and report on their condition to your superiors or to the patient’s family.
Refer healthcare users: Make referrals to other professionals, based on the healthcare user’s requirements and needs, especially when recognising that additional healthcare diagnostics or interventions are required.
Work in multidisciplinary health teams: Participate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.
Attend to sophrology clients: Observe participants` breathing and relaxation techniques, giving feedback, correcting when needed and guaranteeing that sufficient personal attention is provided to each participant in the sophrology session.
Apply massage therapy: Apply massage therapy to relieve patient’s pain by using various specialised techniques.
Accept own accountability: Accept accountability for one`s own professional activities and recognise the limits of one`s own scope of practice and competencies.
