complementary medicine
- noun
- /ˌkɒmplɪˈmɛntəri ˈmɛdɪsɪn/
:
medicina complementaria
- Doctors are increasingly recognizing the benefits of complementary medicine for improving patient outcomes in various conditions.
Examples
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Complementary medicine is a signpost pointing toward more participative health care, but it is not the destination, nor can it provide a complete set of alternative solutions to the challenges we face (see fig. 1).
Academic text (2001) -
Many patients find that complementary medicine enhances their overall treatment and supports their recovery.
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Same goes for alternative/complementary medicines that may not necessarily be recognized by mainstream doctors or health services.
Blog text (12) -
Dr. Robert Atkins, one of the pioneers of complementary medicine in the United States, said, "There is not one, but many cures for cancer available."
Blog text (12) -
The problem for practitioners of complementary medicine is that we are postulating a style of health care that does not exist, so how can you gather the evidence to implement it?
Academic text (2001) -
In complementary medicine, practices like acupuncture and herbal remedies are often integrated with traditional medical treatments.
Antonyms
16
4.3
Medical treatments not part of regular medicine, often using natural methods or non-drug ways
How Integrated
16
4.3
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'medical therapies that complement or support conventional treatment' is directly derivable from 'complementary' (acting to complete or improve) + 'medicine' (medical practice). This compositional relationship is cross-linguistically straightforward and a B1 learner who knows both words would readily infer the MWE refers to supportive/additional medical approaches.
Etymology
The phrase complementary medicine comes from the word complementary, meaning something that fits with and adds to another thing. It describes extra treatments that go alongside main medicine to 'support' a patient's care, so the name shows these therapies are meant to add to, not replace, usual treatment.