Changes in Terminology:

There are many in the public and in "traditional" medicine who scoff at the use of the descriptive terms alternative and complementary when referring to therapies practiced by non-professionals involved in health care. These terms cause a perception of separation in the mind of the professional and public so that recognition of the modality as a preventative health care practice becomes difficult and opens the therapies and practitioners to ridicule.

The new term 'Integrated Therapy' (ies) is in use by a number of physicians and this Institute believes it would be in the best interests of 'complementary and alternative therapists' to use the term 'Integrated Therapies' when referring to therapies such as aromatherapy and reflexology. After all terminology can make a huge difference in acceptance of a therapeutic modality.

It is recommended that the terms complementary and alternative be discarded by all who wish to see acceptance of their therapeutic modality some time in the future.