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Complementary or Alternative Medicine is a umbrella term used to
refer to a diverse group of health-related therapies and disciplines
which are not considered to be a part of mainstream medical care.
They can be used to complement, support or sometimes replace orthodox
Western medicine.
Some like Acupuncture, Homeopathy and Herbal Medicine are whole
systems of medicine in their own right, others are more genuinely
complementary to other healthcare systems.
All complementary therapies treat the patient as a whole person
rather than concentrating on specific symptoms.They do this by treating
the life force of the patient at the physical, mental and emotional
levels.
Complementary therapists tailor treatments to each individual unlike
conventional medicine which prescribes uniform treatment to all
on the basis of recognised symptoms and syndromes.
Natural Health Centres offer a range of different types of treatment
and are a good place to start if you want more information.
However, as with all other services listed on this site the
authors do not specifically endorse or recommend any of the treatments
offered by these organisations.
Natural Health Centres
Ross Herbal and Natural Health Centre
Ross on Wye HR9 7AE
01989 768437
Broadview Natural Health Centre
Rear of 46 Broad St
Ross on Wye
HR9 7DY
01989 564513
Hereford Centre for Natural Health
Eastholme Avenue
Hereford HR2 7XT
01432 279653
Hereford Herbal and Natural Health Centre
5a King St
Hereford
01432 354244
Leominster Natural Health Centre
School Road
Leominster HR6 8NT
01568 614603
Ledbury Natural Health Centre
1st Floor
The Old Post Office
Bank Crescent
Ledbury
01531 634220
How much should I pay ?
None of these treatments are available free on the National Health
Service in Hereford, with one exception : DASH (Drug Service) provides
free acupuncture treatment from an experienced qualified practitioner.
In Herefordshire prices for alternative therapy treatments generally
range between £15 -30, although the first consultation may
be more. Some practitioners offer concessionary rates to people
on benefits.
Can I have alternative therapy at the same time as taking tablets
?
It is important to let your doctor know if you are seeing a complementary
therapist and vice versa. There is unlikely to be any problem with
pursuing both types of treatment, although you should let your doctor
know if you are taking any herbal medicines in addition to conventional
medicines. St
Johns Wort, commonly used to treat depression is known to
react to other medicines and you should not take it with other anti-depressants
or with some anti-HIV drugs.
How can I find a qualified practitioner ?
There are hundreds of people in Herefordshire offering a wide variety
of complementary therapies. Some will be throroughly professional
with years of training and experience behind them. Others may have
done only a few weekend courses. Remember anybody can describe themselves
as a "therapist" or even a "doctor" in this
country regardless of their professional satus or training.
So some basic rules for finding a practitioner are:
· Make sure that the person you see is registered with a
professional body set up to represent their practice in the UK.
Membership of a professional body should mean that the person is
qualified to practice, is bound by a code of ethics, and is insured.
· Ask them how much training they have done and make sure
that what they are offering is a suitable treatment for your condition.
· If possible see someone recommended to you by someone you
know and trust.
More on...
For the government line on Complementary and Alternative Therapies
click
here.
Or get a copy of Healing Minds, a report on Complementary Therapies
in Mental Health from Mental
Health Foundation 020 7535 7400
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