Exploring Alternative Therapies: What Works and What Doesn’t

Introduction

Alternative therapies (also called complementary or integrative therapies) include approaches such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage, nutrition, and mind-body practices. Some have good evidence for specific goals (like pain relief, stress reduction, or sleep support), while others have mixed or limited evidence—and safety can vary depending on product quality and practitioner credentials.

If you’re in the UAE, your safest starting point is to choose licensed or verified practitioners and keep your care coordinated with your doctor—especially if you’re pregnant, managing a chronic condition, or taking prescription medications. At iheal, we verify practitioners through a combination of government licensing (where applicable) and iheal’s internal vetting so you can start from a place of trust.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• How to judge evidence vs hype
• Which therapies have stronger support (and for what)
• Where evidence is mixed/limited (and what that means)
• Safety basics: interactions, product quality, and credentials
• How to trial a therapy safely alongside conventional care

‍

UAE safety check: licensing and practitioner verification

In Dubai and the UAE, some complementary therapies are regulated and require an active license (for example, DHA-licensed practitioners in areas such as homeopathy, naturopathy, TCM, Ayurveda, clinical nutrition, physiotherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic care, and psychology). iheal also lists practitioners certified through additional pathways (such as CDA for counselling) and applies an internal verification process to every practitioner on the platform.
Before you book, confirm the practitioner’s license/credentials, ask about hygiene and safety protocols, and share your medications and medical history.

How we verify practitioners in the UAE

‍

1. How to evaluate evidence and set expectations

‍Not all evidence is equal: randomised controlled trials, systematic reviews and clinical guidelines carry far more weight than anecdotes or single case reports. When evaluating a therapy, ask three questions: what condition is it supposed to help, what does the best evidence show, and what are the likely harms or interactions? Match the therapy to realistic goals: pain relief, stress reduction and improved sleep are achievable aims for many CAM approaches, while claims of cures for serious diseases should be treated sceptically. iheal’s vetted practitioners help you set measurable goals and a time window to judge effectiveness so you can test therapies safely.

‍

2. Acupuncture: what the research says

‍Acupuncture has reasonable evidence for specific types of pain management such as chronic low back pain, knee osteoarthritis pain and tension type headaches. Some trials also support acupuncture for chemotherapy related nausea and post-operative nausea. The benefits are often modest but clinically meaningful for many people and can reduce reliance on pain medication when used as part of an integrated plan. Choose DHA-licensed acupuncturists or those recognised by local health authorities and inform your medical team about sessions to avoid interactions with anticoagulants or other treatments.

‍

3. Massage therapy and manual treatments: practical benefits

‍Massage and manual therapies provide reliable short term relief for muscle tension, stress and some chronic pain presentations. They improve circulation, reduce perceived pain and promote relaxation and sleep. While effects on long term structural disease are limited, massage is a useful adjunct for recovery and stress management. When booking, look for practitioners with accredited training and hygiene protocols; many iheal practitioners combine massage with rehabilitation programs from physiotherapists for a more durable outcome.

‍

4. Mind body therapies: strong for stress and mood

‍Mind body approaches such as mindfulness based stress reduction, Specialized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques, guided imagery, yoga and tai chi have reasonable evidence for reducing anxiety, depression and improving sleep. These science-backed approaches also support chronic pain management and cognitive function. They are low risk, scalable, and easy to integrate with conventional treatments. iheal lists multilingual instructors and evidence-based mental health professionals who can combine therapy with mind body practice for expats and local residents alike.

‍

5. Herbal medicine and supplements: mixed results, quality matters

‍Herbs and supplements can help in specific situations: turmeric for mild inflammatory symptoms, certain probiotic strains for antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, and micronutrients for defined deficiencies. However, evidence varies by species, strain, dose and product quality. Supplements are not risk free: they can interact with prescription drugs such as blood thinners, antidepressants and chemotherapy agents. Use high quality, tested products and discuss them with a DHA-licensed clinician. iheal practitioners can review your medications and suggest evidence-based formulations where appropriate.

‍

Want tailored guidance on safe complementary options?
Not sure what’s safe for you? Book a session with a vetted practitioner to review your goals, current medications, and the safest complementary options..
Get guidance

‍

‍

6. Homeopathy and highly diluted remedies: what to know

Homeopathy is widely used by many people and some report personal benefit, especially for mild, self-limiting concerns and overall wellbeing. At the same time, when homeopathic remedies are studied in high-quality research, results are often mixed and consistent clinical effects beyond placebo are not clearly established for most conditions. If you choose to try homeopathy, it’s best used as a complement—not a replacement—for medical care, particularly for serious or persistent symptoms. Always inform your doctor about any remedies you’re using, and seek advice if you’re pregnant, managing a chronic condition, or taking prescription medications so your care stays safe and coordinated.

‍

7. Traditional systems: Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine

‍Traditional medical systems like Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine include many useful practices, from acupuncture within Chinese medicine to dietary and oil therapies in Ayurveda. Some components have supportive evidence acupuncture for pain; certain herbal extracts for specific conditions while other aspects require more research. Be cautious with complex herbal formulas: ensure products are quality tested for contaminants and prescribed by DHA-certified or reputable practitioners. iheal’s network includes licensed Ayurvedic and TCM practitioners who use science-backed elements and coordinate with medical teams.

‍

8. Evidence-based specialised therapies and when to choose them

‍For mental health and trauma, evidence-based approaches such as EMDR for trauma recovery or Specialized CBT should be considered first line when appropriate. Some CAM practices complement these therapies: yoga aids regulation, acupuncture can reduce anxiety symptoms, and herbal supports may assist sleep. Coordinate combined plans so each component is safe and measurable. iheal can match you with clinicians who integrate evidence-based psychotherapy with safe CAM adjuncts.

‍

9. Safety first: regulation, interactions and practitioner credentials

‍Safety is non negotiable. Herbs and supplements can interact with prescription medications. Physical therapies like acupuncture or chiropractic care should be delivered by credentialled providers to reduce risk. Always choose practitioners licensed by local regulators (e.g., DHA or MOHAP) and ask about infection control, product testing and adverse event reporting. Share your full medical history and medication list with any CAM practitioner so they can advise on interactions. iheal lists only vetted, licensed clinicians and provides transparency on practitioner credentials.

‍

10. Practical tips for choosing what to try and how to trial it

• Start with low risk, evidence-based options aligned to your main concern (for example, mindfulness for anxiety, acupuncture for certain pain).
• Ask about practitioner training, licensing, and safety protocols.
• Introduce one new therapy at a time so you can detect benefits or side effects.
• Set measurable goals and a time window for assessment: e.g., four to eight acupuncture sessions or eight weeks of an MBSR course.
• Track outcomes using a simple journal: pain scores, sleep quality or mood ratings help determine if the therapy is working.

‍

‍

11. Integrating alternative therapies with conventional care

‍Alternative therapies work best as complements to, not replacements for, evidence-based medical care. Use them to manage symptoms, improve quality of life or reduce medication side effects when appropriate. Coordinate care by sharing treatment plans among your healthcare providers and set measurable goals. For chronic conditions ask whether a therapy can reduce symptom burden or medication needs and agree on an evaluation plan. iheal’s practitioners support integrated care plans and provide the documentation needed for coordination with your doctor.

‍

‍

‍Conclusion

‍Exploring alternative therapies can be empowering when you prioritise safety, realistic expectations and good evidence. Mind body therapies, acupuncture for selected pain conditions, and massage have reliable roles for symptom relief and wellbeing. Herbal medicines and supplements may help in specific contexts but quality and interactions matter. Avoid unproven therapies as substitutes for essential medical care and favour DHA-licensed, rigorously vetted practitioners who practise within local regulation. If you are in the UAE and considering CAM, start with an evidence-based, integrated plan through iheal to maximise benefit and minimise risk.

Are you in the UAE and want personalised help deciding what works for you? Contact us on WhatsApp and book a consultation with a vetted complementary practitioner who will review the evidence, check interactions and design a personalised plan.
Book Your Personal Plan

‍

References_:

‍