Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques, and Equipment

Complementary Therapies

Therapeutic practices which are not currently considered an integral part of conventional allopathic medical practice. They may lack biomedical explanations but as they become better researched some (PHYSICAL THERAPY MODALITIES; DIET; ACUPUNCTURE) become widely accepted whereas others (humors, radium therapy) quietly fade away, yet are important historical footnotes. Therapies are termed as Complementary when used in addition to conventional treatments and as Alternative when used instead of conventional treatment.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Therapeutic practices which are not currently considered an integral part of conventional allopathic medical practice. They may lack biomedical explanations but as they become better researched some (PHYSICAL THERAPY MODALITIES; DIET; ACUPUNCTURE) become widely accepted whereas others (humors, radium therapy) quietly fade away, yet are important historical footnotes. Therapies are termed as Complementary when used in addition to conventional treatments and as Alternative when used instead of conventional treatment.

MeSH Record

Classification

Related Concepts

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

10 entry terms
  • Complementary Therapy
  • Therapy, Complementary
  • Therapies, Complementary
  • Alternative Medicine
  • Alternative Therapies
  • Complementary Medicine
  • Medicine, Alternative
  • Medicine, Complementary
  • Therapy, Alternative
  • Therapies, Alternative

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

16 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings adverse effects, classification, economics, education, ethics, history, instrumentation, legislation & jurisprudence, methods, mortality, nursing, psychology, standards, statistics & numerical data, trends, veterinary.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

General or unspecified; prefer specifics; not for "alternative health care delivery system" (= DELIVERY OF HEALTH CARE) or specific health service.

MeSH Record

History Note

2002(1986)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

  1. E02w.190

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Complementary Therapies. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D000529. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D000529
  2. Complementary Therapies. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q64831118