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Problems
Complementary medicine
Complementary medicine can play an important part in an individual's
health and well-being and should be used to complement traditional
medicine rather than a substitute. If you plan on using complementary
medicine please be aware that it is all too easy for people to set
themselves up as complementary therapists who in reality have little
or no training. It is important, therefore, to ensure that any therapist
you go to is a member of a recognised body and it is essential to satisfy
yourself as to whether they have had correct training and that their
qualifications are genuine.
There are people out there who will prey on those who are sick and
vulnerable and looking for healing simply to make money for themselves
and also therapists who will tell you to ignore medical advice or stop
medical treatment which is highly irresponsible and can be extremely
dangerous. There are of course many genuine complementary therapists
who can provide genuine care and help to complement traditional medicine.
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The following organisations may be helpful in offering advice, support
and information
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Alliance of Registered Homeopaths: 08700 736339, email info@a-r-h.org, www.a-r-h.org
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Aromatherapy Consortium: 0870 7743 477 - Can provide a list of qualified practitioners in your area (also available by searching their online database)
Association of Reflexologists: 01823 351010, email info@aor.org.uk, www.aor.org.uk - Provides up-to-date information on reflexology. Send a SAE for a list of qualified practitioners in the UK or phone or look on website for practitioners in your area.
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British Acupuncture Council: 020 8735 0400, email info@acupuncture.org.uk, www.acupuncture.org.uk -
To establish the status, maintain a register, regulate the conduct
and protect the interests of practitioners of acupuncture, so as
to promote and maintain, in the public interest, proper standards
for the practice of acupuncture. Acupuncture is a branch of medicine
founded upon the principle that health is dependent upon a proper
balance of vital energy forces within the body
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British Herbal Medicine Association: 0845 6801134, www.bhma.info -
To defend the right of the public to choose herbal remedies and
to have free access to them, to encourage wider knowledge and recognition
of herbal remedies by medical practitioners, to promote high standards
of quality and safety in herbal remedies, seeking and collating
up to date information, assessing the safety and efficacy of herbal
remedies
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British Holistic Medical Association: 01278 722000, PO Box 371, Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 9BG,
email admin@bhma.org, www.bhma.org -
To promote an awareness of the holistic approach to health. To
foster a balance between body, mind and spirit. To support a wide
range of orthodox and complementary methods of intervention, to
develop a sense of partnership between doctors and patients, health
care workers and patients. Running courses and seminars to encourage
self healing. Providing self help tapes
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British Homeopathic Association: 0870 444 3950,
email info@trusthomeopathy.org, www.trusthomeopathy.org -
To spread the knowledge and use of homeopathy among members of
the general public, distributing free information packs to enquirers,
publishing a directory of homeopathically qualified doctors, dentists
pharmacists, podiatrists and vets
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British Hypnotherapy Association: 020 8942 3988 /
020 8579 5533 / 020 7328 4804, www.british-hypnotherapy-association.org -
Maintain a register of trained psychotherapists who use hypnotherapy,
when appropriate, to aid recall in therapy. Can refer those interested
in treatment to competent qualified practitioners on the register
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Bristol Cancer Help Centre: 0845 123 2310, www.bristolcancerhelp.org -
To provide and promote holistic health care for cancer patients.
To stimulate a positive attitude of mind and teach cancer patients
how to help themselves, to offer a therapy programme working
at all levels of body, mind and spirit, to provide a supportive
link for cancer patients, their families and friends, to help
the patient to a better quality of life. Running residential
courses combining self help techniques with complementary approaches.
This therapy works hand in hand with standard medical treatments
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Complementary Health Trust: 020 7704 1777, email info@comphealth.org.uk, www.comphealth.org.uk -
High quality complementary medicine for people facing life threatening
illness. A holistic health care charity which exists to nurture
the well being of people with immune related illnesses. Currently
provide holistic therapies to people with HIV, AIDS, cancer, multiple
sclerosis and systemic lupus
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General Council and Register of Naturopaths: 08707 456 984, www.naturopathy.org.uk -
Maintains a register of trained and qualified naturopaths and exercises
control in terms of their ethical practice and professional conduct
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Institute for Complementary Medicine: 020 7231 5855,
email icm@icmedicine.co.uk, www.icmedicine.co.uk -
To lessen suffering and increase the quality of health by ensuring
that the best possible natural treatments are made available to
patients on the same terms as other types of medicine
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National Federation of Spiritual Healers: 0845 123 2777 -
To identify potential healers and to encourage and accelerate their
development. To provide a national healer referral service to the
public
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New Approaches To Cancer: 0800 389 2662, email help@anac.org.uk, www.anac.org.uk -
Encouraging and assisting in the development of nearly 650 Cancer
Help Centres throughout the UK, offering complementary treatments
in co-operation with conventional treatment wherever possible.
Maintaining a directory of Cancer Help Centres and evaluating their
work. To encourage people to look more deeply at the causes of
their cancer by using complementary methods alongside orthodox
techniques. To encourage self help groups to work together with
existing medical facilities, so that patients and their families
have the best support available, including natural medicines
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Register of Homeopathic Practitioners: 01474 560336, www.homeopathy.org
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Shiatsu Society (UK): 0845 130 4560, email admin@shiatsu.org, www.shiatsu.org -
To advance shiatsu as a healing therapy throughout the UK and elsewhere
and to main high standards in its practice Distributing information
to the public and maintaining a register of professional practitioners
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Society of Homeopaths: 0845 450 6611, email info@homeopathy-soh.org, www.homeopathy-soh.org -
To develop and maintain high standards for the practice of homeopathy.
To maintain and distribute a register of homeopaths who practice
the standards as required by the Society and abide by the Society's
Code of Ethics
Useful Websites
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