Alternative Therapies
Many people living with HIV (PLHIV) have used alternative therapies to assist them with managing their health. Alternative or Complementary therapies are those therapies and practices which are not generally associated with Western Medicine or provided through the Western Medical System.
Why do people use alternative therapies?
For many years, PLHIV have supplemented the care they receive from doctors and the medical system with support from practitioners who practise alternative or complemantary therapies.
These therapies cover a wide range of approaches and practices and include:
- Acupuncture
- Chiropractic
- Massage
- Floatation Tanks
- Hypnotherapy
- Naturopathy
- Reiki
- Herbal Medicine
- Aromatherpy
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Reflexology
- Homeopathy
- Cupping
Some of these therapies are aimed at increasing relaxation and diminishing stress, whilst others take a more intrusive approach.
Choosing therapy
There are a vast range of therapies available to choose from and within each discipline, each therapist has his or her own particular style or approach.
You may want to consider some of these questions before deciding on an alternative therapy.
- What am I trying to fix or achieve?
- What therapies do other PLHIV use?
- Do they achieve results?
- Is there any documented evidence that this therapy will be helpful for you?
- How effective is it?
- Is there local access to my chosen therapy?
- How much will it cost me?
To help you find out more about specific alternative therapies, you can always contact the AIDS council in your state, PLHIV organisations, surf the net or talk to other PLHIV.
Choosing your therapist
When choosing an alternative therapist, it is better to find someone with whom you feel comfortable and can trust. Don't be afraid to shop around and ask questions, like:
- Have you worked with other people with HIV?
- What therapies do you practice?
- What qualifications do you hold?
- Do you belong to a professional group or association?
- How long is a consultation?
- What are the potential side effects?
- How much will it cost?
- How will you protect my privacy?
It is important to discuss your medical treatments (HIV and Non-HIV) with your alternative therapist so they can be aware of any possible interactions between the therapies. Vice-versa, it is equally important to discuss the same with your GP or HIV specialist.
And finally, be aware that, what may work for one person, may not work for you.