Complementary therapies are therapies that are not part of the standard medical care usually prescribed by medical doctors. There are many types of complementary therapies, including acupuncture, massage and naturopathy. They are also sometimes referred to as ‘integrative medicine’. Sometimes these therapies may be described as ‘alternative’. Alternative therapies are used in place of conventional treatment from your doctor or healthcare provider, rather than alongside — as is the case with complementary therapies. Thet can be harmful if there is no evidence for these therapies, if they replace or delay treatments that are evidence-based and advisable, or if they have side effects.