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Diabetes Spectrum 14:225, 2001
© American Diabetes Association ®, Inc., 2001

Patient Information

A Step-by-Step Approach to Complementary Therapies

Often, the greatest levels of health and well-being can be reached when people have an integrative medical care team that is trained not only in the latest treatments and technologies, but also in how to create a healing environment for the mind, body, and spirit. Integrative care includes the best of standard medical care and complementary therapies as well as patients’ full involvement in mind, body, and spirit.

The following steps can help you safely integrate complementary therapies into your health care plan.

Step 1. Identify the symptom you hope to improve.

Start a symptom diary. Record what your symptoms are, when they occur, and what makes them better or worse. For example, if you have periodic shooting pain in your legs, an entry in your symptom diary might read, "Shooting leg pain three times this evening. On a scale of 1 to 10, this pain was an 8."

Step 2. Identify possible complementary therapies.

Collect information about complementary therapies you may want to try. Discuss them with your medical team.

Ask your standard health care team:

  • Is this treatment dangerous? Does it cause any side effects?
  • Is it safe to combine this with my current medical treatments?
  • What should I ask when I meet with possible complementary care providers?
  • What type of follow-up should I schedule with you if I use this therapy?

Step 3. Interview potential complementary therapy providers.

Expect that it will take some time and effort to find the right provider for you.

Ask potential complementary care providers:

  • What do you think is causing my symptoms?
  • What treatment do you recommend? What benefits can I expect from it?
  • Are there any dangers or concerns associated with this treatment?
  • Is it safe to combine this treatment with my current medical treatments?
  • How and when will we decide whether it is working?
  • What is the cost? Will my insurance pay for it? Can you help me look into this?
  • What is your training? Are you licensed or certified? How do I contact the licensing agency?
  • Do you need information from my medical team about my medical history and current treatments?
  • Will you follow-up with my doctor about your recommendations?

Step 4. Choose a complementary therapy provider and begin treatment.

You may wish to consult your medical team before selecting a complementary care provider. Continue to keep your symptom diary as you begin complementary therapy. For example, you may record, "Reiki session on Saturday. I feel a sense of well-being and peacefulness. I felt shooting pain in my legs three times tonight, but it was less painful—a 5 on a scale of 1 to 10."

Step 5. Follow-up regularly with your complementary and standard care providers.

Review your symptom diary and the effects of the complementary treatment. Report any side effects to both your complementary and standard care providers.

To learn more about complementary and alternative therapies, contact the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM, formerly the National Institutes of Health Office of Alternative Medicine) at 800-531-1794 or visit the NCCAM website http://altmed.od.nih.gov

Footnotes

Permission is granted to reproduce this material for nonprofit educational purposes. Written permission is required for all other purposes. 11/01


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