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safety first

Complementary treatments are often perceived as more 'natural' than conventional treatment and it is easy imagine that they are perfectly safe and free from side effects. This isn't necessarily true. The fact is, that any effective treatment — whether conventional or complementary — involves both benefits and risks.

The dangers of complementary therapy are two-fold. Firstly there is the possibility of you may be misdiagnosed or that a serious condition may be missed and left untreated. Secondly there is a risk that a treatment you are recommended may cause unwanted side effects or actually harm you.

Although many of the complementary therapy organisations are attempting to become more regulated, many practitioners are not regulated in the same way that orthodox medical practitioners are. If you decide to use a complementary therapy, it's up to you therefore to take precautionary measures to ensure that the potential to heal outweighs any potential to harm.

precautions

• Consult a doctor if you have symptoms that do not have an obvious cause. By consulting your GP when you first develop new symptoms, you can make sure you get a proper diagnosis and avoid any serious illness being missed.
• It's worth letting your GP know that you are seeing a complementary practitioner and what treatment has been recommended, as some herbs and other treatments may cross-react with conventional drugs.
• Do not stop taking prescribed medication without first consulting your doctor. If your doctor has prescribed medication for a chronic or long-term illness don't abandon it without seeking his or her advice. Stopping taking certain drugs, especially suddenly, can have serious effects. You should steer clear of any practitioner who encourages you to give up a proven effective medication for one that has not been proved to be effective.
• Tell your CAM practitioner about any medical problems, prescribed medication or other complementary therapies.
• Tell your doctor about any complementary therapies you are following.
• Always check with a doctor before embarking on complementary medicine if you have a serious medical condition.
• Tell the complementary practitioner (and always consult your doctor first) if you are pregnant or trying to conceive.
• See the list of precautions which have been supplied for each individual therapy on this site.

special situations

Particular caution is needed in the following instances:

• If you are booked to have an operation. Research suggests that certain herbal medicines can create problems with surgery, for example by affecting blood clotting, or altering the way anaesthetics work. If you are taking herbal remedies inform the surgeon and stop taking them a couple of weeks before the operation.
• If you are pregnant. The unborn baby is particularly susceptible to substances that may pass through the placenta. If you are pregnant it's advisable to take as few medications as possible, including herbal remedies and food supplements. Always check with your doctor or midwife before using complementary treatments and don't self-medicate — only take remedies on the advice of a trained complementary practitioner.
• If you are elderly. The body often becomes less efficient at dealing with medications including herbal remedies and supplements as we get older. Check with your GP and the complementary practitioner and always report any side effects.
• If you have children. You may be drawn to the idea of treating them with what seems like a natural, gentle remedy. However children can be particularly vulnerable to any side-effects of treatments such as herbs or nutritional supplements, because of their small size and the fact that their bodies and minds are still developing. Always check with your GP before taking your child to see a complementary practitioner and make sure you only ever seek treatment from a trained and qualified practitioner.

what to look for in a practitioner

• Ensure a practitioner is adequately trained and insured, especially if the therapy involves either physical manipulation or invasive techniques (eg acupuncture, chiropractic, herbal medicine). Your GP may have lists of local practitioners and/or may be able to suggest a reputable therapist. Contact the professional organisation (if there is one) for a list of registered practitioners (see individual therapies). If the practitioner does not belong to a professional organisation, ask if he or she has liability insurance.
• Beware any therapy or therapist who claims miracle cures, charges exorbitant fees or suggests that you abandon conventional medicine without consulting your doctor.
• Avoid any practitioner with whom you feel uncomfortable. Trust and empathy are important aspects of the healing process.
• Recommendations from friends or acquaintances are a helpful guide, but remember that these are not always reliable.
• Before going ahead with complementary treatment cast an eye over the premises to make sure they are clean and hygienic. If you are consulting an acupuncturist check that s/he uses disposable, sterile needles. If you are treating yourself with complementary remedies check that any remedies you buy are sealed and packaged and follow any instructions for keeping products fresh, eg, keeping in the fridge.

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(July 2002)

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