February 24, 2009

The demise of complementary medicine courses

With complementary medicine courses seemingly in decline, we present a selection of the most exotic types of treatment

Complementary Therapies: The demise of complimentary medicine courses — Acupuncture needles in a woman's back Photograph: Jon Feingersh/Getty

Complementary Therapies: The demise of complimentary medicine courses — A patient has a sauna as part of their ayurvedic therapy. Ayurveda is a system of holistic healthcare which evolved on the Indian subcontinent approximately 5,000 years ago Photograph: Martin Godwin

Complementary Therapies: The demise of complimentary medicine courses — Hopi 'ear candling' aims to clear a patient's ear wax. The American Indian Hopi tribe says ear candling has never been a part of its traditional healing practices, and has repeatedly asked manufacturers of Hopi ear candles to stop using the tribe's name Photograph: Garry Weaser

Complementary Therapies: The demise of complimentary medicine courses — A woman receiving a hot stone therapy massage Photograph: Trinette Reed/Getty

Complementary Therapies: The demise of complimentary medicine courses — A man undergoes medicated fire treatment in China. The treatment is popular during winter months and is believed to assist in the prevention of ailments such as the common cold or flu Photograph: Chu Yongzhi/Getty Images

Complimentary Therapies: The demise of complimentary medicine courses — A session of reflexology Photograph: Linda Nylind

Complementary Therapies: The demise of complimentary medicine courses — Bee acupuncture, or apitherapy, is an alternative healing practice where bee stings are used as treatment for various conditions and diseases. Apitherapy, which was first practiced in China, has developed as a popular alternative healing method in Indonesia Photograph: Dimas Ardian/Getty Images

Complementary Therapies: The demise of complimentary medicine courses — Two patients receive bamboo cupping therapy in Kunming, Yunnan province. Bamboo cupping is a technique performed as an alternative to acupuncture and, it is claimed, is especially useful in the treatment of problems of local qi, or blood stagnation in the channels Photograph: Tang Jiang/EPA

Complementary Therapies: The demise of complimentary medicine courses — A young woman in a flotation, or isolation, tank. The flotation tank was developed in the 1950s by neuro-psychiatrist John C Lilly to test the effects of sensory deprivation Photograph: Getty Images

Complementary Therapies: The demise of complimentary medicine courses — An acupuncturist using skin rolling for the treatment of eczema Photograph: Graham Turner

Complementary Therapies: The demise of complimentary medicine courses — Cherie Booth recieves an aromatherapy facial massage Photograph: Fiona Hanson/PA

Complementary Therapies: The demise of complimentary medicine courses — The Iglo cafe in Sweden offers light therapy to help counter Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), or winter depression. The cafe sells coffee, smoothies and an assortment of pastries, but it is the light therapy that attracts guests Photograph: Claudio Bresciani /AP

Complementary Therapies: The demise of complimentary medicine courses — A woman undergoing reiki treatment. Practitioners believe they can move healing energy through the palms Photograph: Getty

Complementary Therapies: The demise of complimentary medicine courses — A bear relaxes after aromatherapy treatment in Melbourne zoo. Other animals have reacted favourably to the treatment with responses ranging from curiosity, excitement and playfulness to amorousness Photograph: Will Burgess/Reuters

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