Reasons why people with HIV use complementary therapies

Complementary therapies are used by a large number of people with HIV.

There’s no consensus amongst HIV doctors about the role of complementary therapies in the treatment of HIV. Some doctors dismiss them out of hand, whilst others take a more open-minded view. This is partly because complementary therapies have not, on the whole, been subjected to the same rigorous assessment of their effectiveness and safety as licensed medicines.

Reasons for the use of complementary therapies include stress reduction, the relief of side-effects and symptoms, to relieve pain, and to boost the immune system. There's more information on some of these issues in the sections below.

Many people use complementary therapies to reduce stress. They can also have added benefits, such as increasing a general sense of health and well-being.

The side-effects of HIV treatment, and of the drugs used to treat infections, can be improved by supplements and complementary medicines. For example, calcium supplements can help control diarrhoea, a very common side-effect of HIV treatment. Aromatherapy oils, such as rosemary and peppermint, can relieve feelings of nausea; herbs, such as valerian, and relaxation therapies can help with disturbed sleep and anxiety.

Some people use complementary therapies as a way of supporting their immune system. There isn't much evidence that that works, but they can have the beneficial effect of improving a general sense of well-being.

It’s known that people with HIV often have low levels of some important nutrients. This is a symptom of HIV infection rather than a cause of immune deficiency or opportunistic infections. Researchers have looked at the value of providing nutritional supplements to people with HIV. Most of this research has been conducted in poorer countries where there is limited access to HIV treatment. The results of some of this research has been encouraging, suggesting that a daily, simple multivitamin tablet can help slow the rate of HIV disease progression. But this isn't a replacement for HIV treatment.

Some forms of complementary therapy can provide effective pain relief. Acupuncture is commonly used to relieve pain, and massage therapies and osteopathy can also be effective, particularly for muscle or joint pain. Always tell your doctor if you experience anything other than mild pain, or if you are in persistent pain.

There’s no evidence that complementary medicines can prevent or cure any major infection. You will be endangering your life if you choose an alternative approach for the treatment of a major infection such as pneumonia, which always requires appropriate antibiotic treatment. Having said that, herbal remedies, acupuncture and homeopaths can help relieve some of the symptoms of infections, such as night sweats.