There are a staggering array of therapies under the wide umbrella of complementary medicine and it is difficult, if not impossible for any one person to know, understand, or even relate to all of them. In recent issues of Positive Health, we have published the successful treatment of eczema in children by homoeopathy (page 11, Issue 12, May/June 1996), by the movement of electromagnetic assemblage points (page 11, Issue 15, Oct/Nov 1996), with flower essences (page 25, this issue) and by allergy testing (page 51, this issue). Published research has also evaluated the effectiveness of treatment for atopic dermatitis in adults by psychological techniques including relaxation, autogenic training and stress management (page 36, Issue 10, Feb/March 1996) and in children and adults using hypnotherapy (page 44, Issue 8, Oct/Nov 1995).

There is an incredible diversity of professional opinion and approach even amongst practitioners of the same complementary therapies. This applies across virtually all disciplines - acupuncture, aromatherapy, homeopathy, kinesiology, massage, nutrition - and also to all types of products and remedies, from massage tables, homeopathic medicines, essential oils, nutritional supplements and allergy testing methodologies.