complementary therapy
nounUK /ˌkɒmplɪˈmentri ˈθerəpi/
US /ˌkɑːmplɪˈmentri ˈθerəpi/
A kind of treatment used along with normal medicine to help you feel better.
She used complementary therapy, like massage, alongside her regular medicine.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A non-mainstream treatment used together with conventional medical care.
The clinic offers complementary therapy such as yoga for patients in recovery.
3. Any supportive practice that adds to standard treatment rather than replacing it.
Doctors may suggest complementary therapy to help manage stress during treatment.
4. A health approach focused on the whole person alongside regular medicine.
Many hospitals now include complementary therapy services for pain relief.