Preface

Traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine are terms used to try to define practices used in the maintenance of health as well as in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of physical and mental conditions. These practices are based on the knowledge, skill, theories, beliefs, and experiences acquired by different cultures in the world throughout the years. In this book, we use the term "complementary therapies" to refer to these practices. Various complementary therapies have been used in different clinical situations worldwide. It is important to highlight that these therapies are effective and, in general, without side effects or complications when properly performed.

This book provides a better understanding of the qualities and uses of some usual complementary therapies, as well as their proximity with other therapies that are increasing in clinical importance. Complementary therapies vary according to region, culture, and habits. As such, three chapters in Section 1, "Complementary Therapies and Knowledge of Some Cultural Practices," discuss Islamic herbal medicine, African traditional and complementary therapies, and Mibyou care.

Complementary therapies have proven effective for clinical as well as mental disorders. Section 2, "Complementary Therapies and Mental Disorders," includes chapters on cognitive hypnotherapy and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, which are effective psychodynamic therapies for the rapid reduction of cognitive anxiety, and yoga as an intervention to reduce levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. There is also a chapter on the use of medicinal plants to manage psychosis.

Chapters in Section 3, "Complementary Therapies and Clinical Rehabilitation," address non-pharmacological therapies in integrative rehabilitation and physiotherapy, a new rehabilitation technique called Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP) for reducing spine deformities, and an integrated psychomotor therapeutic treatment for women with breast cancer.

Finally, Section 4, "Complementary Therapies, Technologic and Science Perspectives," includes chapters on evidence-based acupuncture, vibration therapy for health promotion, and methods and tools for assessing muscle asymmetry in the analysis of electromyographic signals. There is also a chapter devoted to the role of complementary and alternative medicine in COVID-19.

We wish to thank Author Service Managers Ms. Marina Dusevic and Kristina Kardum Cvitan at IntechOpen for their confidence and assistance. In addition, we would like to thank the contributing authors for their excellent chapters.
