37% reduced doctor’s visits after undertaking complementary therapy, survey finds

A survey conducted by the Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT) shows a significant increase in the positive effects of complementary therapy practices alongside healthcare, including a 37% reduction in doctors’ visits.

Conducted in partnership with the Integrated Medical Alliance (IMA) to help promote social prescribing among standard medical practices, the FHT survey points to the numerous health benefits of complementary therapies for both targeted and generalised health.

In the survey, the FHT asked its members and their clients to specify how complementary therapies have helped them,with over 86% of respondents reporting an improvement in health and 95% claiming they would use the therapy again.

The types of complementary treatments undertaken included reflexology (29%), homeopathy (18%), massage (17%), acupuncture (8%) and reiki (6%).

The survey also indicates improvements in other areas of member and client life, including general health and wellbeing. Other findings indicate that the complementary therapy treatments helped with stress and anxiety (54%), muscular pains (41%), lower back pain (26%), joint problems (22%) and tiredness and fatigue (22%).

The survey demonstrates a positive reaction to complementary therapies and the importance for them to be used alongside standard medical healthcare to support the patient in a multitude of ways, including both their health and their wellbeing.