Definition

1. Noun:
   • A system of healthcare that combines conventional medical treatments with alternative therapies. It refers to the practice of using non-mainstream treatments together with standard medical care, not as a replacement for it. The goal is often to support overall well-being, manage symptoms, or address aspects of health not fully covered by conventional approaches.

Usage

• Complementary medicine is used as a non-count noun to describe the overall field or approach.
• It is often discussed in contrast to , which is used conventional treatment.
• Common examples include using acupuncture for pain management alongside prescription medication, or practicing meditation to reduce stress during cancer treatment.

Examples

• Noun:
  • Many hospitals now offer complementary medicine services, such as massage and nutritional counseling, to support patient recovery.
  • Her doctor was supportive of her interest in complementary medicine as long as she continued her prescribed treatments.
  • The study examined the effectiveness of complementary medicine in improving the quality of life for chronic pain sufferers.

Advanced Usage

• "Integrative medicine": This is a closely related and often synonymous term. It emphasizes a coordinated, holistic approach where conventional and complementary therapies are combined based on scientific evidence.
  • The clinic specializes in integrative medicine, creating personalized plans that include both drugs and lifestyle changes.

Variants and Related Words

• Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM): This is the formal umbrella term used in many medical and research contexts to encompass both complementary and purely alternative practices.
• Alternative medicine (n): Treatments used standard medical care.
• Conventional medicine (n): Also called Western or mainstream medicine; the dominant system of healthcare based on scientific evidence.

Synonyms

• Integrative medicine: (As described above, often used interchangeably).
• Adjunctive therapy: A more clinical term for a treatment used in addition to a primary therapy.

Related Phrases

• "To use something as a complement to": This phrase illustrates the core concept.
  • She uses yoga as a complement to her physical therapy for back pain.

Noun

1. the practice of medicine that combines traditional medicine with alternative medicine