Healthy Habits Hub


Cup of camomile tea


Complementary Medicines


  • Complementary therapies treat the whole person, not just the symptoms of their disease.
  • Some of the more popular complementary therapies include: acupuncture, aromatherapy, herbal medicine, homeopathy, naturopathy, reiki, yoga.
  • Complementary therapies can improve and maintain health, and benefit your performance of everyday tasks.
  • Many people also use complementary therapies because of their cultural traditions and beliefs.
  • Find a reputable practitioner by contacting the professional association for your chosen therapy and asking for a list of members in your area, asking your doctor for a referral, or asking your friends for word-of-mouth recommendations. Ensure they have the necessary qualifications.
  • For your own safety, ensure you keep all your health carers informed about the different procedures and medicines you are using.




Acupuncture. Needles in back.


Feature: Acupuncture Overview


  • Acupuncture is part of traditional Chinese medicine reaching back thousands of years. It consists of inserting fine needles into specific points on the skin.
  • The foundation of Chinese acupuncture is the belief in an energy force called Qi (pronounced ’chee’). If the flow of Qi in the meridians is disrupted, then disease may follow. By inserting fine needles into particular acupuncture points, the disruption can be corrected and the flow of Qi restored. The treatment can be effective even if you don’t believe in the underlying philosophy.
  • Research has found that acupuncture may be effective in treating a range of disorders in areas including: digestive, emotional, gynaecological, musculoskeletal, neurological, respiratory and vascular problems.
  • An acupuncturist may use other techniques including: cupping, Chinese herbs, laser, TCM remedial massage and moxibustion.
  • Ensure you use only a qualified acupuncturist. Performed by a skilled practitioner, acupuncture can be a safe and effective treatment for a range of disorders.

Read about ACUPUNCTURE in detail.




Mortar and pestle with herbs


Aromatherapy bottles


Man performing reiki on patient




Photo Acknowledgements



Tan4ikk. (n.d.). In Stock free images. Retrieved from http://www.stockfreeimages.com/5300607/Cup-of-tea-and-chamomile.html

Lengtarang. (n.d.). Acupuncture. In photobucket. Retrieved from http://media.photobucket.com/user/lengtarang/media/acupuncture.jpg.html?filters[term]=acupuncture&filters[primary]=images&filters[secondary]=videos&sort=1&o=9#/user/lengtarang/media/acupuncture.jpg.html?filters%5Bterm%5D=acupuncture&filters%5Bprimary%5D=images&filters%5Bsecondary%5D=videos&sort=1&o=9&_suid=13681486047960579496223130874

The Growers-Exchange. (n.d.). In flickr. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/thegrowers-exchange/5381845975/sizes/n/in/photostream/

Caitysparkles. (n.d.). In flickr. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/caitysparkles/3544517856/sizes/n/in/photostream/

Reiki Mexico. (n.d.). In flickr. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/28830851@N03/2690694519/sizes/m/in/photostream/