Day one:
After you've tested positive

May 2008     View PDF     En español

Supportive therapies

This category, sometimes called a holistic approach, can include various complementary approaches. These include stress reduction; massage; visualization, yoga and relaxation; emotional and spiritual support; natural medicines; and many others. Many of these can help you deal with symptoms of illness, drug side effects and keep your peace of mind. Taken alone, however, they won’t solve the problem.

Unfortunately, some promoters of complementary therapy become strict, urging people to use them to the exclusion of all others, even the medicines recommended by doctors. When used in this way, supportive therapies can be harmful and may discourage one from getting necessary medical attention. The best promoters view these therapies as complementing other therapies rather than replacing them. For more informaion, read Project Inform’s publication, Herbs, Supplements and HIV Disease.