Gabrielle Elmes (497977) Health and Social Care Level 3 Year 2 UNIT 23 TASK 2
the role of complementary therapies in relation to orthodox
treatments
Gabrielle Elmes (497977) UNIT 23 TASK 2 4/5/2021
Health and Social Care Level 3 Year 2
P4 - Explain the role of complementary therapies in relation to orthodox
treatments
Complementary therapies are often used alongside Othodox treatments to either
ease the painful effects of the orthodox treatment (Such as the painful effects of
cancer treatments) Or to treat the painful side effects of a disease/illness such as
musculoskeletal disorders (bones, joints, muscles or mobility pain) or used for minor
ailments alongside the orthodox treatments one is receiving. Complementary
therapies can even be diagnostic or used as a stand alone treatment without the
orthodox treatment (such as a physiotherapist when figuring out what is causing
pain) Therefore, complementary therapies cannot be used to ‘cure’ a disease but
can be used for therapeutic and diagnostic means alongside orthodox treatment
which is scientifically tested and can cure disease and ill health.
Complementary therapies can be diagnostic in relation to someone then receiving an
orthodox treatment. For example Physiotherapists can diagnose the musculoskeletal
disease or pain which they can then refer to the doctor so they can then receive
orthodox treatment such as medications and surgeries etc. In addition to this, it can
be used therapeutically alongside orthodox treatment someone is receiving for their
musculoskeletal problems to reduce pain and help improve movement (such as
acupuncture, herbal remedies, massage etc.) Complementary therapies are used
alongside orthodox treatment for the holistic approach to someone’s health care. So
it is not only looking after the issue (orthodox treatments job) but side effects, pain,
mental health etc. Orthodox treatment just looks after the disease but
complementary therapies role is to deal with the person as a whole.
Most Complementary therapies are not scientifically proven compared to orthodox
treatment (Such as tablets, vaccines and other orthodox treatments being
scientifically proven and tested for years before being approved by scientists to be
able for people to use) In fact most complementary therapies do not even need to be
regulated and those who perform them do not need to undergo specific learning
requirements to perform the therapy. This is why complementary therapies role is to
be used alongside Orthodox tested treatments as therapeutic means for side effects,
pain etc. and not the cure. Complementary therapies are used to treat symptoms of
more chronic conditions. e.g. A person who has cancer may become stressed, the
therapy will work by relaxing and calming the person in order to reduce their stress.
Whereas the orthodox treatment will work by controlling the condition, in this
1
, Gabrielle Elmes (497977) Health and Social Care Level 3 Year 2 UNIT 23 TASK 2
example the orthodox treatment may be radiotherapy, chemotherapy or other cancer
drugs.
Another way of explaining how complementary therapies play a role in line with
orthodox treatment is the use of it alongside psychological orthodox treatment. This
is because orthodox treatment is highly tested to be used for psychological disorders
such as ADHD, Anxiety, depression, learning difficulties (autism) to help treat the
ailment. However, complementary therapy can be used alongside this to help with
symptoms of the orthodox treatment or help aid the healing from this ailment
(aromatherapy, art therapy, herbal remedies) such as CBD which is used to reduce
anxiety, autism, adhd symptoms or to reduce the effect of the medication they are
taking to help them recover. CBD does not cure the ailment like orthodox treatment
can, but it helps look after the person holistically caring for their feelings, reducing
side effects etc. so they can receive orthodox treatment.
In the case of mental ailments, complementary therapies can be used instead of
orthodox treatment and as a stand alone treatment. If people are heavily against
taking lots of medications etc. but are suffering with stress, anxiety, adhd, PTSD etc.
using complementary therapies such as herbal medicine, aromatherapy, art therapy
can help them overcome the side effects. It cannot cure it and be vouched for like
orthodox medicine, but because of word of mouth, these therapies can help people
to not suffer with mental stress, depression, anxiety, ptsd etc. For example, using
herbal remedies for mental ailment can help as stated in this article:
‘’Many herbal teas promise to help with anxiety and ease sleep. Some people find
the process of making and drinking tea soothing, but some teas may have a more
direct effect on the brain that results in reduced anxiety. Results of a small 2018 trial
suggest that chamomile can alter levels of cortisol, a stress hormone.’’
(Medical News Today (Legg))
So plays an important role in relation to working with orthodox treatment to help
mental conditions.
Again, complementary therapies can be used in relation to orthodox treatment for
cardio-respiratory treatment. Medication must be given to help with the heart function
if there is an issue or medical condition, however this medication and the heart
condition in itself can cause pain, stress, anxiety, unwanted side effects that CAM
can help to treat. Cam cannot cure heart problems, but using it alongside orthodox
treatment can help improve a person's quality of life and reduce pain and discomfort
caused by pulmonary disease and complications. Therefore it is therapeutic in this
instance and not diagnostic.
In addition to this, complementary therapies can work alongside orthodox treatment
to help manage metabolic disorders such as digestive functioning, immune function
2
the role of complementary therapies in relation to orthodox
treatments
Gabrielle Elmes (497977) UNIT 23 TASK 2 4/5/2021
Health and Social Care Level 3 Year 2
P4 - Explain the role of complementary therapies in relation to orthodox
treatments
Complementary therapies are often used alongside Othodox treatments to either
ease the painful effects of the orthodox treatment (Such as the painful effects of
cancer treatments) Or to treat the painful side effects of a disease/illness such as
musculoskeletal disorders (bones, joints, muscles or mobility pain) or used for minor
ailments alongside the orthodox treatments one is receiving. Complementary
therapies can even be diagnostic or used as a stand alone treatment without the
orthodox treatment (such as a physiotherapist when figuring out what is causing
pain) Therefore, complementary therapies cannot be used to ‘cure’ a disease but
can be used for therapeutic and diagnostic means alongside orthodox treatment
which is scientifically tested and can cure disease and ill health.
Complementary therapies can be diagnostic in relation to someone then receiving an
orthodox treatment. For example Physiotherapists can diagnose the musculoskeletal
disease or pain which they can then refer to the doctor so they can then receive
orthodox treatment such as medications and surgeries etc. In addition to this, it can
be used therapeutically alongside orthodox treatment someone is receiving for their
musculoskeletal problems to reduce pain and help improve movement (such as
acupuncture, herbal remedies, massage etc.) Complementary therapies are used
alongside orthodox treatment for the holistic approach to someone’s health care. So
it is not only looking after the issue (orthodox treatments job) but side effects, pain,
mental health etc. Orthodox treatment just looks after the disease but
complementary therapies role is to deal with the person as a whole.
Most Complementary therapies are not scientifically proven compared to orthodox
treatment (Such as tablets, vaccines and other orthodox treatments being
scientifically proven and tested for years before being approved by scientists to be
able for people to use) In fact most complementary therapies do not even need to be
regulated and those who perform them do not need to undergo specific learning
requirements to perform the therapy. This is why complementary therapies role is to
be used alongside Orthodox tested treatments as therapeutic means for side effects,
pain etc. and not the cure. Complementary therapies are used to treat symptoms of
more chronic conditions. e.g. A person who has cancer may become stressed, the
therapy will work by relaxing and calming the person in order to reduce their stress.
Whereas the orthodox treatment will work by controlling the condition, in this
1
, Gabrielle Elmes (497977) Health and Social Care Level 3 Year 2 UNIT 23 TASK 2
example the orthodox treatment may be radiotherapy, chemotherapy or other cancer
drugs.
Another way of explaining how complementary therapies play a role in line with
orthodox treatment is the use of it alongside psychological orthodox treatment. This
is because orthodox treatment is highly tested to be used for psychological disorders
such as ADHD, Anxiety, depression, learning difficulties (autism) to help treat the
ailment. However, complementary therapy can be used alongside this to help with
symptoms of the orthodox treatment or help aid the healing from this ailment
(aromatherapy, art therapy, herbal remedies) such as CBD which is used to reduce
anxiety, autism, adhd symptoms or to reduce the effect of the medication they are
taking to help them recover. CBD does not cure the ailment like orthodox treatment
can, but it helps look after the person holistically caring for their feelings, reducing
side effects etc. so they can receive orthodox treatment.
In the case of mental ailments, complementary therapies can be used instead of
orthodox treatment and as a stand alone treatment. If people are heavily against
taking lots of medications etc. but are suffering with stress, anxiety, adhd, PTSD etc.
using complementary therapies such as herbal medicine, aromatherapy, art therapy
can help them overcome the side effects. It cannot cure it and be vouched for like
orthodox medicine, but because of word of mouth, these therapies can help people
to not suffer with mental stress, depression, anxiety, ptsd etc. For example, using
herbal remedies for mental ailment can help as stated in this article:
‘’Many herbal teas promise to help with anxiety and ease sleep. Some people find
the process of making and drinking tea soothing, but some teas may have a more
direct effect on the brain that results in reduced anxiety. Results of a small 2018 trial
suggest that chamomile can alter levels of cortisol, a stress hormone.’’
(Medical News Today (Legg))
So plays an important role in relation to working with orthodox treatment to help
mental conditions.
Again, complementary therapies can be used in relation to orthodox treatment for
cardio-respiratory treatment. Medication must be given to help with the heart function
if there is an issue or medical condition, however this medication and the heart
condition in itself can cause pain, stress, anxiety, unwanted side effects that CAM
can help to treat. Cam cannot cure heart problems, but using it alongside orthodox
treatment can help improve a person's quality of life and reduce pain and discomfort
caused by pulmonary disease and complications. Therefore it is therapeutic in this
instance and not diagnostic.
In addition to this, complementary therapies can work alongside orthodox treatment
to help manage metabolic disorders such as digestive functioning, immune function
2
