Conventional vs. complementary medicine Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe Conventional vs complementary medicine DifferencesMedically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — By Emily Cronkleton on June 29, 2022Conventional medicine is the most common type of medicine in the Western world. Many types of complementary medicine have been around for hundreds of years. However, it is only over the last few decades that doctors have started to use complementary medicines alongside conventional treatments. Share on PinterestHwa Cheng/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesComplementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is the term for treatments that are not part of mainstream healthcare. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) note that whereas people use alternative treatments in place of standard treatments, they use complementary treatments alongside them. This article provides more information on conventional and complementary medicines, including the types, benefits, and risks. It also covers the differences and similarities between these two types of medicine. Conventional medicine Conventional medicine, also called Western medicine or modern medicine, is when healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, and therapists use scientific research to diagnose and treat symptoms and conditions. Examples of conventional medicine include: pharmaceutical medicationsphysical rehabilitationpsychotherapyradiation therapysurgery Complementary medicine Complementary medicine refers to treatments that people use in addition to conventional medicine. These treatments are not part of standard medicine. Examples of common types of complementary medicine include: aromatherapyacupunctureherbal medicine massage therapy visualizationyoga Additional types of complementary medicine include:biofeedbackchiropractichomeopathyhypnosisnaturopathyQi gongreflexologyReikirelaxationtai chi Differences People use conventional medicine to prevent, diagnose, and treat symptoms and conditions. Doctors may use complementary treatments to alleviate the side effects of conventional medicine and improve the person’s overall quality of life. For example, a person may use complementary treatments to reduce stress, balance emotions, and alleviate fatigue while undergoing chemotherapy. A 2020 study investigated the use of CAM treatments for people with fibromyalgia. Two-thirds of the participants used CAM treatments, with the most common therapies being:vitaminsmeditationmassage therapy The researchers found that people who used CAM treatments alongside pharmacological treatments had a significantly higher quality of life than those who used only the conventional approach. The authors of a 2020 review conclude that acupuncture is an effective treatment for cancer-related fatigue and may help improve the quality of life of those who have survived the disease. How do healthcare professionals use them together A coordinated treatment approach that combines conventional and complementary medicine is known as integrative health. Integrative health aims to heal each person and maximize their quality of life by treating their physical, mental, and emotional health. Individual needs will determine the best combination of therapies. Traditional healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurses, and therapists, can work with complementary therapists to create a treatment plan. This plan can treat all aspects of a person instead of focusing on one area of the body. Potential benefits and risks Conventional and complementary treatments have benefits and drawbacks to consider. Each case is different, so a person should talk with a healthcare professional to determine whether they are a suitable candidate for complementary therapies. Conventional treatments As the law demands, experts have put conventional treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, through rigorous scientific testing to demonstrate their safety and effectiveness. However, there are some possible drawbacks to conventional medicine. One example is the use of antibiotics, which doctors prescribe to treat bacterial infections. Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change in response to the use of these medications. The misuse and overuse of antibiotics increase resistance, limiting infection prevention and control. Complementary treatments As research has demonstrated, many complementary treatments — including acupuncture and various supplements — are safe and can be effective. The costs vary depending on the specific therapy, but some may be cheaper than conventional treatment. However, there is no scientific or medical evidence to show that complementary treatments can help treat or cure conditions such as cancer. Also, complementary therapies may interact with conventional treatments, potentially causing them to work less effectively or produce more severe side effects. For this reason, it is important to discuss any complementary treatments with a healthcare professional before taking them alongside conventional treatments. Summary An integrative healthcare approach combines conventional and complementary treatments. A person should consult a doctor to learn about the potential benefits, risks, and side effects of different treatments and how they affect each other. A person can work with a doctor and complementary therapist to create a suitable and effective treatment plan. Regular checkups will allow these professionals to modify the treatment plan if necessary. Last medically reviewed on June 29, 2022Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine 12 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Antibiotic resistance [Fact sheet]. (2020).https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antibiotic-resistanceComplementary, alternative, or integrative health: What's in a name? (2021).https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/complementary-alternative-or-integrative-health-whats-in-a-nameComplementary and alternative medicine. (2022).https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/camComplementary and alternative medicine. (2022).https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/survivors/patients/complementary-alternative-medicine.htmConventional medicine. (n.d.).https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/conventional-medicineFjær, E. L., et al. (2020). The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in Europe.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7137515/Jang, A., et al. (2020). The effects of acupuncture on cancer-related fatigue: Updated systematic review and meta-analysis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7533944/Millstine, D. (2021). Types of complementary and alternative medicine.https://www.msdmanuals.com/en-gb/professional/special-subjects/integrative,-complementary,-and-alternative-medicine/types-of-complementary-and-alternative-medicinePfalzgraf, A. R. (2020). Use of complementary and alternative medicine in fibromyalgia: Results of an online survey.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7722066/The cost of complementary and alternative therapies. (2022).https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/treatment/complementary-alternative-therapies/costThe difference between complementary and alternative therapies (CAMs). (2022).https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/treatment/complementary-alternative-therapies/about/difference-between-therapiesThe safety of complementary and alternative therapies. (2022).https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/treatment/complementary-alternative-therapies/about/safetyFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — By Emily Cronkleton on June 29, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat is alternative medicine, and does it work?Medically reviewed by Kerry Boyle D.Ac., M.S., L.Ac., Dipl. Ac., CYT Alternative medicine refers to any type of medical practice that falls outside the mainstream. Learn more about the different types.READ MOREWhat is modern medicine?Medically reviewed by Daniel Murrell, MD Medicine has made huge strides in the last 200 years. Antibiotics, antiseptic, and vaccines are relatively recent inventions, and yet scientists are…READ MORERolfing therapy: Technique, benefits, and moreMedically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT Rolfing, or Structural Integration, is a form of deep tissue manipulation that aims to treat pain and other symptoms. Learn more here.READ MOREWhat is therapeutic touch massage?Medically reviewed by Kerry Boyle D.Ac., M.S., L.Ac., Dipl. Ac., CYT Therapeutic touch massage (TTM) is a form of energy healing, but there is limited evidence supporting its efficacy.READ MORE