The decision to use complementary and alternative treatments is an important one. The following are topics to consider before selecting an alternative therapy -- the safety and effectiveness of the therapy or treatment, the expertise and qualifications of the healthcare practitioner, and the quality of the service delivery. These topics should be considered when selecting any practitioner or therapy.

Assess the Safety and Effectiveness of the Therapy

Generally, safety means that the benefits outweigh the risks of a treatment or therapy. A safe product or practice is one that does no harm when used under defined conditions and as intended.

Effectiveness is the likelihood of benefit from a practice, treatment, or technology applied under typical conditions by the average practitioner for the typical patient.

Many people find that specific information about an alternative and complementary therapy's safety and effectiveness may be less readily available than information about conventional medical treatments. Research on these therapies is ongoing, and continues to grow.

You may want to ask a healthcare practitioner, whether a physician or a practitioner of complementary and alternative health care, about the safety and effectiveness of the therapy or treatment he or she uses. Tell the practitioner about any alternative or conventional treatments or therapies you may already be receiving, as this information may be used to consider the safety and effectiveness of the entire treatment plan.