The word "complementary" means "in addition to." Complementary medicine is treatment and medicine that you use in addition to your doctor's standard care.
What is considered standard treatment in one culture may not be standard in another. For example:
- Acupuncture is standard in China but not in the United States.
- Hypnosis is a standard part of psychiatry, but it may not be standard if used to treat cancer.
Other examples of complementary medicine include:
- Yoga
- Massage therapy
- Herbal remedies
- Naturopathic medicine