Complementary, Alternative and Traditional Therapies

Many people with depression include a variety of treatments in their recovery regime, in addition to medication and therapy. Western medicine is practiced by physicians, nurses and other allied health professionals and involves the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses. Complementary therapies are used along with Western approaches and can include massage, dietary supplements, yoga, meditation, art therapy and many other non-medical approaches. Alternative therapies are all these things, but they are used instead of Western medicine. Some alternative therapies are tied to your culture. Examples include; Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture, Ayurvedic medicine and Indigenous healing rituals, medicines and ceremonies – but there are many more examples, depending on your particular culture.