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complementary medicine
noun
: any of the practices (such as acupuncture) of alternative medicine accepted and utilized by mainstream medical practitioners
also
: alternative medicine
Examples of complementary medicine in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This idea has been an especially popular one for practitioners of alternative or complementary medicine.
—Anju Goel, Verywell Health, 25 Mar. 2024
It’s considered a type of mind-body complementary medicine.
—Mayo Clinic News Network, Anchorage Daily News, 4 July 2023
Edzard Ernst, former professor of complementary medicine at the University of Exeter, has written extensively about acupuncture also concurs.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 30 May 2010
To better understand pain in America, USA TODAY spoke with more than 50 experts – in pain control, psychology, complementary medicine, addiction and neuroscience – and people who live with pain every day.
—Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2022
Edzard Ernst, a professor of complementary medicine at the University of Exeter, said that there was no scientific evidence to support the efficacy of the detox tonic.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 6 Oct. 2022
Dragonette notes that complementary medicine that requires physical movement such as yoga or meditation have been rising in popularity.
—Emily Rekstis, Allure, 31 July 2022
Based on the traditonal FX Mayr diet, Viva Mayr has modernized the philosophy to a next level by valuing the use of traditional diagnostics but also saw how these could fit with modern complementary medicine.
—Nel-Olivia Waga, Forbes, 17 June 2021
Likewise, Edzard Ernst, former professor of complementary medicine at Exeter University, echoed the call.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 20 Sep. 2018
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'complementary medicine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1982, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of complementary medicine was
in 1982
Dictionary Entries Near complementary medicine
Cite this Entry
“Complementary medicine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/complementary%20medicine. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
Medical Definition
complementary medicine
noun
: any of the practices (as acupuncture) of alternative medicine accepted and utilized by mainstream medical practitioners
also
: alternative medicine
More from Merriam-Webster on complementary medicine
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about complementary medicine
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