complementary medicine: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Technical, Academic, Healthcare
Quick answer
What does “complementary medicine” mean?
Medical and healthcare practices that are not part of a country's conventional or mainstream medical system, used alongside (complementing) conventional treatments.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Medical and healthcare practices that are not part of a country's conventional or mainstream medical system, used alongside (complementing) conventional treatments.
A broad range of practices and products that fall outside the realm of conventional medicine, often emphasizing a holistic approach to the patient and the use of natural or traditional therapies. The term often implies a non-adversarial relationship with conventional medicine, distinguishing it from 'alternative medicine' which may be used instead of conventional treatments.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar. The term is standard in both. In the UK, the abbreviation 'CAM' (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) is very common in official and NHS contexts. In the US, 'integrative medicine' is a prominent term in academic medical centers.
Connotations
Generally neutral-to-positive in professional discourse, implying collaboration. Can have slightly negative connotations among strict proponents of evidence-based medicine who view it as lacking scientific validation.
Frequency
High frequency in healthcare policy, public health, and lifestyle journalism in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “complementary medicine” in a Sentence
[Patient] uses complementary medicine for [condition].[Practitioner] specialises in complementary medicine.[Institution] offers courses in complementary medicine.There is growing research into complementary medicine.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “complementary medicine” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The NHS is beginning to **complement** conventional care with acupuncture.
- GPs may **refer** patients to complementary therapists.
American English
- Some oncologists **integrate** complementary approaches into cancer care.
- Hospitals are starting to **offer** complementary medicine services.
adverb
British English
- The treatment was used **complementarily** to her regular medication.
American English
- The therapy is intended to work **complementarily** with standard care.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to a growing industry sector, including clinics, product sales, and practitioner training.
Academic
Used in medical, sociological, and public health research discussing efficacy, integration, and patient choices.
Everyday
Used when discussing health choices, e.g., 'My doctor is open to me trying some complementary medicine for my back pain.'
Technical
Precise term in healthcare policy, clinical guidelines, and medical education to categorise non-standard interventions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “complementary medicine”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “complementary medicine”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “complementary medicine”
- Misspelling as 'complimentary medicine' (which means free or flattering medicine).
- Using it as a synonym for 'alternative medicine' without acknowledging the 'alongside' nuance.
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a complementary medicine') instead of an uncountable field or using it as a modifier (e.g., 'complementary medicine therapies').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. Complementary medicine is used alongside conventional treatments, while alternative medicine is used instead of them. The combined term 'CAM' (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) is often used to cover the whole field.
The evidence varies greatly by practice. Some, like acupuncture for certain pain conditions, have good scientific support. Others lack rigorous clinical trial evidence. It's a key area of ongoing research.
Attitudes vary. Many modern doctors, especially in fields like oncology and pain management, are open to evidence-based complementary therapies if they are safe and do not interfere with conventional treatment. Patients should always inform their doctor.
Common examples include acupuncture, massage therapy, herbal supplements, meditation, yoga, chiropractic, and osteopathic manipulation when used alongside conventional care.
Medical and healthcare practices that are not part of a country's conventional or mainstream medical system, used alongside (complementing) conventional treatments.
Complementary medicine is usually formal, technical, academic, healthcare in register.
Complementary medicine: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɒmplɪˈmentri ˈmedsɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɑːmplɪˈmentri ˈmedəsɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To take a complementary approach.”
- “To use something as a complement to conventional treatment.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a COMPLETE meal: conventional medicine is the main course, COMPLEMENTARY medicine is the side dish that makes the meal better together.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEDICINE IS A TEAM (conventional and complementary practitioners work together).
Practice
Quiz
Which term specifically refers to using non-conventional therapies INSTEAD of standard medical treatment?