Complementary medicine

1 Definition of complementary medicine

Complementary medicine refers to diagnostic or therapeutic procedures that are outside the conventional, i.e. purely scientifically based, medical mainstream but are intended to complement it.

Complementary medical treatment methods are also often scientifically sound and evident, but are usually based on natural medicine, traditional or experience-based treatment methods and ideally complement the specialist knowledge of doctors.

In contrast to alternative medicine, complementary medicine attempts to achieve synergy effects by working together with purely scientifically based medicine.

2 Differentiation from alternative medicine

Complementary medicine differs from alternative medicine in that it does not seek to replace conventional medical procedures.