: It posits that the body possesses an innate ability to heal itself. Therapies like reflexology and acupuncture are designed to "kick-start" and accelerate this natural process rather than acting as a "cure-all" or panacea.
Scientific evidence for complementary therapies is mixed. For some therapies—such as acupuncture for chronic pain, yoga for lower back pain, and cognitive-behavioral techniques for insomnia—high-quality randomised controlled trials (RCTs) support their efficacy. However, many herbal supplements lack rigorous testing. A major challenge is the placebo effect, which can be particularly strong in mind-body therapies. Furthermore, complementary medicine is not without risk. Herbal remedies can interact dangerously with prescription drugs (e.g., St. John’s wort reduces the effectiveness of birth control pills and antidepressants), and spinal manipulation may rarely cause vertebral artery dissection. : It posits that the body possesses an
If the text says scientists use acupuncture, but does not mention why they chose it over surgery, the answer regarding their specific motivation is often "Not Given". For some therapies—such as acupuncture for chronic pain,