Many people seek complementary and alternative approaches to health. Understanding the evidence base helps make informed choices.
Complementary Approaches with Evidence for Health
Acupuncture: Several studies show modest effects on health symptoms, particularly for anxiety and pain-related presentations.
Yoga: One of the best-evidenced complementary approaches — multiple mechanisms relevant to health.
Massage therapy: Reduces cortisol and increases serotonin — documented effects on health symptom severity.
Supplements: Omega-3s, magnesium, and vitamin D have meaningful evidence for some health presentations.
Complementary Approaches with Limited Evidence for Health
Crystal healing, homeopathy, and many energy medicine approaches lack scientific evidence for health. Risk of harm is low, but opportunity cost of forgoing evidence-based treatment is real.
Using Complementary Approaches Safely for Health
Complementary approaches work best as additions to, not replacements for, evidence-based health treatment. Always inform your healthcare providers of everything you're using.