Complementary Therapy
There are many alternative therapies within the field of complementary medicine, and these are becoming an increasingly popular treatment option for people with a wide range of medical conditions. Many people with hepatitis C use herbs from the repertory of both Western herbal medicine and traditional Chinese medicine to improve their general health and manage their symptoms.
Research into the efficacy of herbal medicine in managing the symptoms of hepatitis C is developing and ongoing, with some trials being conducted in Australia and a large number overseas. Many people have reported a significant improvement in their health and quality of life using complementary therapies. On the other hand, people have also reported no observable benefits. Obviously, each individual needs to assess for themselves the appropriateness of complementary therapies in managing their illness.
Those who choose to consult with practitioners of complementary medicine may include:
- People who are philosophically aligned with the principles of complementary medicine.
- People who are not eligible for combination treatment.
- People who wish to modify their experience of pharamaceutical treatment with alternative therapies.
- People who have not found combination therapy to be successful for them.
Different complementary therapies have different impacts on the body and consequently different roles to play in treatment. Some, like aromatherapy and massage, have a particular strength in relaxation, while others such as herbal medicine and homoeopathy, directly impact on the experience of symptoms. As with any powerful medicine, complementary medicines prescribed inappropriately can potentially damage the liver, so it is advisable to seek professional advice before embarking on any course of complementary treatment.
People are encouraged to gather information from both their treating GP and/or specialist along with their practitioner of complementary medicine about any treatment options under consideration. Ideally, to achieve the best possible treatment, both parties should be consulting together, but this can often be difficult to achieve.
There is little data in relation to side effects of combining complementary therapies with drug treatments.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM COMPLEMENTARY THERAPY
Being listened to
A good practitioner of complementary medicine will be interested in their client. They will take time to listen to their client's concerns, find out who they are and the problems they are experiencing with their health.
Cost
The Medicare schedule does not provide rebates for consultations with complementary therapists so full fees apply and they vary according to the choice of treatment. Consequently, it is helpful to be informed beforehand of the full cost of an appointment. Some treating practitioners are registered with private health funds. People who are insured with these funds may be entitled to claim a small rebate.
A registered practitioner
Not all practitioners of complementary therapies are registered with a professional regulatory body. To be registered, a practitioner has to have completed a tertiary level course in their field of expertise. Choosing a practitioner who is registered with one of the professional bodies of complementary medicine is recommended. Lists of accredited practitioners can be obtained from these bodies. The yellow pages also list practitioners under their professional membership.
Experience in providing treatment
Questions that would usually be asked of a doctor or specialist about combination therapy are also useful when consulting a new complementary health practitioner. Some questions that are useful to ask include:
- How much experience have you had in the treatment of hepatitis C?
- What benefits can be expected from following this recommended treatment?
- Is there any information about the mental and physical outcomes of this therapy?
- Are there any circumstances in which this treatment could have a harmful or effect on the liver?
- Are there any likely side effects?