Overview of complementary therapies in physical medicine and rehabilitation.

This article briefly describes the current usage of alternative and complementary medicine in the United States and among chronically ill users of rehabilitation services. Definitions of alternative and complementary medicine are presented with a few examples from among hundreds of existing therapies, with a focus on therapies currently used in rehabilitation contexts. The role of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in funding research on these therapies is described. Examples of evidence-based therapies include ginkgo biloba for cerebral insufficiency, and acupuncture for stroke, are presented. Future trends are discussed.