Massage
What is it?
Therapeutic touch is a variation practised in clinical settings, especially by nurses in US hospitals. 'Distance healing' takes place, as the name suggests, away from the patient, and is similar to prayer.
What is it recommended for?
People often consult healers for relief from pain, anxiety or depression. It is also used to combat the effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Scientific evidence?
Perhaps surprisingly, a number of studies of spiritual healing show positive results; successes have been claimed for ailments ranging from anxiety to physical wound healing.
A review of 23 trials involving distance healing, carried out by Edzard Ernst, Professor of Complementary Medicine at Exeter University, found that 57 per cent showed a 'positive treatment effect'.
However, critics counter that only positive studies tend to get published and that the main benefits of healing are probably psychological.
Nutritional therapy - chances of going mainstream: 4/10
What is it?
It's now accepted that a balanced diet plays a large role in maintaining good health. Nutritional therapy takes this a step further by using food to treat ailments - food, in this therapy, is medicine.
What is it recommended for?
A range of conditions, including fatigue, PMS, headaches and skin complaints. A nutritional therapist will take a detailed history before prescribing an individual diet, which may include supplements.
Scientific evidence?
Diet is used to treat complaints such as gout, diabetes and IBS. Folic acid is given to pregnant women to prevent birth defects and research has shown vitamin E supplements to slow arterial disease.
While no one disputes the link between diet and health, however, there remains some scepticism about using food as medicine in general.
Shiatsu - chances of going mainstream: 3/10
What is it?
This vigorous Japanese massage is based on the principles of traditional Oriental medicine.
It involves pressure being applied to points on the body to stimulate the flow of life energy through meridians under the skin. Treatment is usually carried out on a futon or mat on the floor.
What is it recommended for?
Shiatsu is used to treat stress and headaches as well as musculo-skeletal problems. Adherents also believe that it gives health an all-round boost.
Scientific evidence?
Not much research has been done into the effects of shiatsu, but since it works on the same principles as acupuncture it may be that some of the findings related to that treatment would apply.
Neuro-Linguistic Psychotherapy (NLP) - chances of going mainstream: 2/10
What is it?
Created by a linguist and a mathematician, NLP evolved out of psychotherapy in the 1970s. The therapy focuses on communication and patterns of thought and belief as a way of both eliminating negative thoughts and maximising potential.
What is it recommended for?
NLP is used to treat phobias and allergies, and as an aid to giving up smoking. It is also used to help change beliefs about prospects of recovery from serious illness. NLP is most widely practised in career development and in the business arena, so it's important to check that the practitioner you choose has experience in healing.
Scientific evidence?
An NLP study claims success in treating phobias, although the therapy is generally considered outside the mainstream. However, some doctors and nurses do practice NLP, as do many complementary practitioners.