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