The alternative medicine, or complementary medicine sector in the UK is booming. Around 9 million of us visit a complementary therapist every year. Most towns have a range of people offering everything from homeopathy to chiropractic, traditional Chinese medicine or acupuncture. But how do you check that these people are reputable? And what’s the position with DBS checks for people practising complementary medicine?
Finding a Practitioner
There’s still a lot of controversy about many complementary therapies, and so the first starting point should be your GP. Many GPs are more than happy to talk about acupuncture as a pain relief method, or osteopathy for a bad back. It’s usually not a good idea to discontinue conventional medical treatment in the favour or unproven complementary therapies. Having said that, there is a great deal of evidence that things like aromatherapy or massage can help relax people going through stressful medical procedures. It’s fairly common to find alternative practitioners in hospitals and care homes, improving the quality of life of the residents.
Once you’ve decided what sort of therapy you’d like to try, then do some research locally. Ask friends or family for recommendations, or check the websites of industry bodies. Nearly all complementary therapies will have some sort of association which sets out minimum standards for members and makes sure their qualifications are genuine. Usually, entering your postcode on their website will throw up a list of people close to your home or work address. Don’t be afraid to ask a practitioner about their qualifications, experience or training. A good therapist will be more than happy to tell you.
DBS checks and therapists
As this sort of medicine falls under the banner of healthcare, then people practising as homeopaths, acupuncturists and so on will need
enhanced disclosure checks. This is a form of criminal records check, which looks into both the person’s criminal record, and other information held about them on the police computer. Therapists usually apply through the society which regulates their profession. They should have a DBS check before starting work, and then usually every 3 to 5 years after that. When researching a complementary therapist, there should be something about DBS checks on their website. If not, don’t be afraid to ask.
Is complementary therapy expensive?
Complementary therapies are generally not available on the NHS. That means if you want aromatherapy, reiki, reflexology or anything else, you’ll have to pay the cost yourself. Complementary therapists can charge up to £60 per hour. Depending on the type of treatment you are having, you might not need a full hour so check about fees when you make your appointment. If you live in the city, you are likely to pay more for alternative therapies than if you live in a rural area. On the flip side though, there is often more choice of practitioners and therapies in urban areas. Price shouldn’t be the prime consideration in choosing a practitioner though. Base your decision on the benefits you hope to get, and the reputation of the individual therapist.
