Frequently Asked Questions

Here is a list of our most frequently asked questions; If you cannot find the answer to your question here please email us >.

What is Complementary and Alternative Medicine?
The word 'Complementary' means 'working alongside'. We have taken that to mean - working alongside other health-care providers including the medical profession.

The word 'Medicine' means the art of restoring and maintaining health. As far as possible, complementary medicine provides natural approaches to healthcare.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) includes different approaches and techniques for treating the whole person. Many CAM disciplines have been used for thousands of years and have then been adapted for more modern approaches to treatment. All approaches work to heal the whole person rather than one condition or symptom. In addition, the energy or life-force of the individual is also considered and supported.

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What is Healing ?
There are two definitions of the term 'healing':

Firstly, the word relates to restoring balance and harmony to body, mind spirit and feeling. We see this as a natural approach to redress imbalances in the system as a whole, so that symptoms of stress or illness can be reduced or managed more easily. Allopathic treatment usually approaches one symptom at a time, rather than underlying causes, prescribing medication for the alleviation of the symptom. This may help in the short-term but many drugs have side-effects which then require another drug to be prescribed.

We believe that healing may happen when the system is ready and that therefore this can take time. This process will also include a healing for the underlying cause of symptoms where possible. The healing approach therefore aims to optimise holistic health and also enable the person to help themselves in restoring a balance to the system as a whole. Many CAM approaches are specifically designed, in their history and modern application, to support this homoeostatic healing process.

Secondly, the word relates to the specific practice of contact, absent or spiritual healing, whereby the Practitioner attunes to healing energy (usually described as Light and sometimes linked to healing colour or vibration). Organisations such as the National Federation of Spiritual Healers, or the College of Healing, provide recognised training courses in this practice together with Practitioner networks. The Healer-Counsellor Division of the BRCP also provides a Register of qualified Members. Read More >

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How can I find a BRCP Registered Practitioner?
Use the link below to visit our Practitioner Search Page. Users impute their own postcode and have the option of searching on a particular division of complementary medicine. The results listed will find matches based on how close they are to your imputed postcode. Those looking for practitioners abroad need only choose a country from the drop down list provided.

Find a BRCP Practitioner in my area >

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How can I find an Course in Complementary Medicine?
Use the link below to visit our Course Search Page. Users impute their own postcode and have the option of searching on a particular type of complementary medicine course. The results listed will find matches based on how close they are to your imputed postcode.

Find a Course in my area >

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How can I Affiliate my Course?
If you wish to affiliate / register your course to the ICM you should download Course Approval Application, or contact the office for an Application pack.

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Where can I get a BRCP Application Form?
You can either download a BRCP Application form from this website or contact the ICM and we will gladly send out an application form to you. Read More >

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I have a specific query regarding a Medicine I'm taking. Can you help me?
For advice on medicine, it is important to return to the individual who prescribed the medicine and seek advice and guidance from them.

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Can you advise me on which Complementary Medicine to take?
Without undertaking a detailed consultation it is impossible to give advice. Consider if you enjoy or find touch therapies helpful or if you feel that you need to consult with a homeopath or medical herbalist. The choice is very personal and only you can consider what approach will be best for you.

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Where can I find out more information regarding types of Complementary Medicine?
Please view our Glossary of Complementary Medicine. The internet is a vast resource of information where you should be able to find more information. Alternatively, you can go to your local library and look for a variety of books and encyclopaedias.

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I'm pregnant and considering one or more treatments. Is it safe for me? What can you recommend?
Your midwife/consultant is responsible for your healthcare while you are pregnant and should be consulted fully on all such matters. Some midwives and consultants are very much aware of complementary treatments and may know of local practitioners who specialise in pregnancy. Otherwise, with their agreement, you can contact a professional body such as ICM who can refer you to a competent Practitioner. If you wish to take a specific type of herb you can contact the National Institute for Medical Herbalists. Most Practitioners will not recommend treatment during the first trimester.

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I am unemployed or have a low income. Is it possible to receive reduced cost treatments?
Yes; many Practitioners do give concessions to unemployed people or those on a low income. Go to our Practitioner Search page to find a Practitioner in your area.

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Can I treat animals? What is the legal aspect?
Those wishing to treat animals do need to have a separate animal therapy qualification except if they are qualified in Reiki or Spiritual Healing. If they have been taught animal therapy within their human qualification then that would be fine.

The law states that the only persons allowed to diagnose, provide any treatment or carry out any therapy on an animal is a vet or the animal's owner. Read More >

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Can you help me on my project/theisis/dissertation/research?
Please refer to our Article Archives > where there is a good library of articles on all different types of Complementary Medicine (CM) from former ICM Publications.

There are many other sources of information, a selection of which you can find below with links to the respective websites. If you are engaged in study, be aware that much useful work is carried out which is not actually published. You can contribute to the body of research by sending a copy of your thesis to the ICM for our library file. This is of value so that future researchers do not have to start by repeating existing material. Many electronic web-based materials are not researched, so do be discerning.

Read More >

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Can you help me get a grant for my course?
Unfortunately we do not offer grants. Remember, if you undertake a Full-time course at a university you may be eligible for a student loan. Most FE, AE, & HEA will provide support for individuals on low incomes. This does not apply to the Private Sector where Career Development loans are available from some Banks.

See also:

Directgov.org.uk

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While I'm a Student can I charge for my treatments?
We have received queries regarding what fees can be charged by students. On advice from our underwriters, we have been informed that students should never charge patients a professional fee. They must always inform clients that they are students but can ask for a donation from their clients to cover expenses such as travel, materials, products etc. Students remain students until they have received their certificate of qualification even if they have to wait for it for several months. Only then can they obtain full Practitioner status, registration, and insurance and be able to charge a professional fee.

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What is Regulation? How will it affect Complementary Medicine?
The principle purpose of Regulation is to protect the public. This can be achieved by agreeing a minimum standard of competence to practise. The National Occupational Standards (NOS) have been developed, or are under development for certain CAM disciplines, to ensure the creation and adherence to agreed standards of treatment and ethical practice. Read More >

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What is the difference between Statutory Regulation and Voluntary Self Regulation?
Statutory Regulation means that there has been an Act of Parliament, which controls the regulation and safeguards the name of the practise. All relevant practitioners who wish to practise have to join the register of the Council dealing with that practise. It is a criminal offence to practice without registering. Two practises are already statutorily regulated - these are Osteopathy and Chiropractic. Acupuncture and Herbal medicine are now in the process of being statutorily regulated.
Voluntary self regulation is where a voluntary regulatory body is formed. It should be conducted in the same way as statutory bodies. However, the name of the practise/discipline is not protected, and Practitioners are not required by law to join its council. Read More >

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Can we have a copy of your Database of Practitoners?
You cannot have a full copy of our database as it is protected by the Data Protection Act 1998. We do not sell practitioner details to 3rd parties for commercial gain.

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Can I complain about the treatment I have received?
If you have received unsatisfactory treatment, it is important to let the Practitioner/Therapist know that you are unhappy. Hopefully this will resolve the issue.

What you can do if you need to pursue your complaint:-

• If your Practitioner/Therapist is on our BRCP Register then please see our Discipline and Complaints Procedure >
• If your Practitioner/Therapist is not BRCP Registered then identify the Professional body they are registered with and make written contact with them.
• If you are unable to locate the Practitioner/Therapist's professional body then you should seek legal advice.
• If you feel that you need to talk to someone regarding your complaint, please do call us.

How can I obtain Practitioner insurance?
There are a number of insurance companies that offer insurance that covers practitioners for professional indemnity, public liability and product liability. The ICM has an insurance scheme for Members of its Register, the British Register of Complementary Practitioners (BRCP), which is run by Balens on 01684 893006. Acceptance of this scheme requires current membership of the BRCP.

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Is distance learning appropriate for a CAM course?
Distance learning is a teaching strategy that proves effective for some students, and in some taught disciplines. For theoretical study, this approach can be authentic if the student is self-motivated and able to study independently for subjects such as anatomy and physiology.

However, practical subjects are essentially taught in the context of student/tutor/client interaction within a classroom-based or clinical situation. Therefore, in our opinion, practical training is necessarily provided in a taught setting and not by distance. This view is based on thirty years of educational experience.

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What is meant by a Complementary Diagnosis?
In this context, the Practitioner will be sufficiently trained and competent to consider several aspects related to the presenting condition and symptoms which the client brings, and taking account of the physical, psychological and spiritual needs of the individual. The Practitioner will then create a treatment plan for the client, specifically designed for them, which will be reviewed and adjusted as indicated during the period of treatment.

The term Complementary Diagnosis is distinct from medical diagnosis which is the prerogative of the medical profession and is not expected from a CAM Practitioner. However, increasingly, the skills and ability of the CAM Practitioner can be integrated into a full treatment plan where allopathic and complementary medical practitioners liaise and work together for the client/patient in a holistic context. This is beginning to develop in some GPs' surgeries and hospital settings, especially in the treatment of cancer and could be seen as a fore-runner to future development of integrated services.

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How do the local licensing laws affect me as a Practitioner?
Local licensing laws mainly affect Practitioners in the London Boroughs where it is a requirement that Practitioners are licensed under the London Local Authorities Act 1991 - Special Treatment Premises.

If the Practitioner is a Member of certain professional bodies, such as the BRCP, then they are exempt from paying the license, which in some boroughs is nearly £1,000 a year. However, the Practitioner is only exempt if all their disciplines and practises are covered in the Registration they hold within their professional body. It should be noted that, if they have colleagues working with them in their clinic who are not exempt, then the license still has to be paid.

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Can I buy Herbal Medicines safely over the counter?
Herbal medicines can be purchased from most chemists and health stores. It is advisable that these medicines should only be purchased after a consultation with a qualified practitioner who is competent to advise you on the correct medicine for you and the amount you should take. It should be noted that many herbal medicines can react adversely with existing medications that have been prescribed by your practitioner or GP. Many are contra-indicated in certain situations, which could then make them detrimental to your health.

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Can Complementary Medicine cure or treat Cancer?
CAM cannot claim to cure cancer. While some of the treatments available in orthodox or allopathic medicine can be difficult for the body to tolerate or assimilate, a CAM Practitioner cannot tell their client not to access medical care. What we can do is work alongside medical staff and also focus on quality of life issues. Many of our Practitioners support individuals touched by cancer, and some of our training providers provide specialist courses. It is important that the CAM Practitioner has expertise with cancer care prior to working in this area, and also that they are familiar with contraindications for certain CAM treatments, together with their own limits of competence as practitioners.

The CAM focus for serious illness needs to be based on enhancing as far as possible the quality of life for the individual. With this aim, we can provide strategies and tools to support the client/patient towards improved health wherever this is possible, and with additional support for their loved ones.

For further information contact:

Breastcancer UK
http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk

CancerBackup
http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk

NICE Cancer
http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/topic/cancer

Foundation of Integrated Health - Palliative care
http://www.fih.org.uk

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