Complementary therapy may help when used along with traditional medicine but not without the latter. Many terms are used to describe approaches to asthma care outside the realm of optimum asthma care. Some scientific evidence exists for some complementary therapies but, for most, key evidences are lacking. For example, many believe that yoga will cure asthma. But it only complements mainline asthma therapy. This brings us to an important question: the difference between complementary therapy and alternative therapy. Complementary therapy is used along with routine treatment. Alternative treatment is an alternative to conventional medicine.
Complementary therapy uses non-traditional treatment such as massage, yoga and similar treatments in conjunction with traditional therapy. These complement the use of prescription medication and other treatment provided by the doctor. Alternative therapy means that herbal and other natural treatments are implemented, often in place of traditional therapies. Sometimes, however, these are used along with traditional therapies just as in complementary therapies.
At one time, complementary and alternative asthma therapies were considered to be on the fringe and frowned upon. While your doctor may not suggest an alternative or complementary therapy, if you are considering trying it, talk to your healthcare provider. Learn everything you can about alternative or complementary asthma treatments before trying any one. Asthma treatment is serious business. If you do find that a companion therapy works well, such as yoga combined with traditional medicine or acupuncture in addition to physician’s treatments, then there is no reason to discontinue the alternative or complementary treatments.
