This article aims to develop the nurse’s knowledge of the range of complementary therapies available and how they can benefit patients. It relates to UKCC Professional Development categories Care enhancement and Patient, family, client and colleague support

Aims and intended learning outcomes

The use of complementary therapies in nursing care has increased in popularity in recent years, both with patients and nurses. Due to this increase in clinical use, nurses, midwives and health visitors should be familiar with the types of complementary therapy used most commonly in the professional setting, as well as having some knowledge of their potential. As there is a lack of research based evidence for each therapy, this may create problems for inclusion in clinical practice. It is also useful for nurses to know where to obtain information about a range of other therapies that patients might be using independently.