In less than a decade, complementary therapies have found their way from the fringes of health care to the mainstream. More people are discovering how therapies like homeopathy, acupuncture and osteopathy can help improve their health.

In a recent UK survey, about a third had seen a complementary practitioner for a health complaint, and over 80% said they felt better. A US survey found that about a third of people use complementary therapies while a 1996 Australian study found that one in five of the population regularly visit a complementary practitioner. A UK government survey found that 40% of doctors offered some kind of complementary therapy.

These developments haven't been met with enthusiasm by everyone in medicine. Conventional doctors worry about a paucity of scientific rigor in testing the safety and efficacy of many therapies, even as patients eager for a more holistic approach to medicine ask about integrating complementary practices into their care.

Both have reasons for concern. These therapies are those interventions not usually taught in medical schools or found in hospitals and are often poorly understood. The kind of scientific testing expected of medical treatments is just getting starting on complementary therapies. And the range of therapies from chiropractic and acupuncture to homeopathy and massage is daunting.

But it also may be promising. That's why it's essential for asthmatics to educate themselves as well as they can when considering an complementary treatment. If you're considering some form of alternative treatment, here are several things to bear in mind:

"Natural" does not necessarily mean "safe." Natural remedies used incorrectly have caused deaths. For example, a few asthmatics have fatal allergic reactions to royal jelly, a substance that is secreted by the salivary glands of honey bees and is widely used as a health tonic.
 
Do not suddenly stop taking conventional medicine in favour of a complementary therapist or don't forgo or delay conventional treatment that's been proven effective in order to focus on a new "cure" that hasn't been tested. Remember to keep taking your preventer medication and continue to use your reliever when you need to. If you go against this practice then you are venturing into dangerous waters and could get into serious trouble.
 
Consider how an alternative remedy may interact with prescription or over-the-counter drugs you are already taking. Some combinations may be dangerous.
 
Keep in mind that not all alternative therapies work, although they may be heavily promoted as miracle cures. Be wary of expensive, unproven products.
 
Finally, don't hesitate to tell your doctor if you are considering a complementary treatment. The best approach to complementary medicine is truly complementary, and that means working with your doctor to improve your health.