THERE has been a huge rise in the use of complimentary therapies over the last few years, as people are no longer accepting that they 'just have to live' with certain conditions any more.

Complimentary therapies treat a range of conditions from stress to muscular pain and also help people who are waiting for an operation. There are a range of different treatments available. Here is a guide to some of the most popular:

Acupuncture: An ancient Chinese medical procedure involving insertion and manipulation of needles at more than 360 points in the human body. Applied to relieve pain during surgery or in rheumatic conditions, and to treat many other illnesses by stimulating the flow of blood, in order to rebalance bodily disharmonies.

Aromatherapy: Massage of essential oils to relieve tension.

Chiropractic: Chiropractors treat joint, muscle and nerve pain with safe manual adjustments of the body's structures, restoring mobility and relieving pain.

Colonic Irrigation: Colonic irrigation is a procedure in which very large quantities of liquids are infused into the colon via the rectum through a tube, a few pints at a time, in an effort to wash away and remove its contents. Herbal and probiotic implants may be used and advice will also be given on dietary changes to enhance the treatment.

Homoeopathy: Homoeopathic treatment can aid recovery in many conditions where a medical practitioner might wish to avoid the use of conventional medicines. Since it stimulates the natural healing process there is less likelihood of recurrence of the condition, and homoeopathic treatment leads to an improvement in general health. Remedies may give relief to sufferers who find the side effects of some drugs unpleasant and can be used together with conventional drugs and treatment safely and effectively.

Indian Head Massage: A treatment involving work on the upper back, shoulders, neck, scalp and face. A variety of massage movements are used to relieve accumulated tension, stimulate circulation and restore joint movement. It is also used to aid the condition and health of the hair, particularly when combined with the use of natural organic oils.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage: An advanced form of massage that aims to stimulate the lymphatic system to remove congestion and stagnation from within the body, and so help it return to a healthy condition.

Massage Therapy: A systematic, therapeutic stroking and kneading of the soft tissues of the body. There are many different types of massage that have been developed; some approaches focus on the physical effects the massage techniques have on the body, whilst others focus attention on the flow of 'energy' within the body. All types of massage can have an effect on the skin, muscles, blood vessels, lymph, nerves and some of the internal organs.

Nutritional Therapy: This is not just about healthy eating. It is a form of complementary medicine in which a practitioner will work with a patient or client, helping their body rid itself of stressful substances, providing raw materials, and improving the assimilation of food in order to aid physical repair.

Osteopathy: A system which deals with the entire framework of the body and its structural/mechanical problems. It mainly involves manipulation, and in some cases surgery, in order to restore functioning and movement.

Reflexology: Serves to relieve tension, improve circulation and promote the body's natural functioning by the application of pressure to reflex points which are associated with specific glands or organs in the body.