complementary therapy

Understanding eating problems

Mind is a leading mental health charity in England and Wales and has produced information on many areas of mental health. Anorexia, bulimia, binging and compulsive eating can blight people’s lives. This booklet describes the signs of eating distress, explains possible causes and looks at the kinds of treatment available. It aims to help anyone who thinks they themselves, a friend, or a member of their family, may have a problem of this kind.

Living with pain (Radio 4 Science)

Geoff Watts explores the almost universal experience of living with pain and the different ways we react and cope with it in three programmes. The first programme in the series looks at the range of experience of human pain and how scientists understand it. The second programme discusses acute pain. In the third programme the process of coping with pain is examined. Geoff Watts discovers how pain management clinics are using a huge variety of different techniques, including medication, art therapy and acupuncture, to help chronic sufferers live as normally as possible.

Making sense of traditional Chinese medicine

This booklet provides an introduction to traditional Chinese medicine for anyone with a personal or professional interest in coping with mental health difficulties. It looks at Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion and tuina, and explains how it can help with problems ranging from panic attacks to psychosis, how to find a practitioner and what to expect from a consultation. It also includes information about some of the herbal preparations that are suitable for self-medication.

Complementary and alternative medicine and dementia

The Alzheimer's Society is the UK's leading care and research charity for people with dementia, their families and carers. They produce information and advice sheets to support those affected by dementia.

Public interest in complementary therapies is growing at a significant rate, easily outpacing the research conducted into their safety and effectiveness. People are often attracted to the ‘natural’ and safe image of these therapies, particularly in treating chronic medical conditions, for which conventional treatments are often less than completely effective.

Making sense of herbal remedies

Mind is a leading mental health charity in England and Wales and has produced information on many areas of mental health. Herbal medicine uses plant medicines, in many forms, to promote good health and to treat ill health. This booklet offers an introduction to Western herbal medicine, gives information about basic self-help and describes some of the herbs you can use. It also tells you how to find a herbal practitioner and offers sources of further help. The booklet is not designed to cover Chinese herbal medicine.

Making sense of homeopathy

Mind is a leading mental health charity in England and Wales and has produced information on many areas of mental health. This booklet is an introduction to homeopathic medicine, and describes how homeopathy can help people who have mental health needs. It offers practical advice about getting treatment, but is not intended as a guide to individual remedies.