Definition:
Complementary medicine is a type of medical practice that combines traditional medicine (like what doctors and hospitals provide) with alternative medicine (like herbal remedies, acupuncture, or yoga). It aims to improve a person's health by using both approaches together.
In more advanced discussions, you might talk about how complementary medicine is used in various cultures or how it is becoming more accepted in mainstream healthcare.
In a broader context, "complementary" can refer to two things that go well together. For example, "complementary colors" are colors that, when combined, create a pleasing effect.
While "complementary medicine" itself does not have specific idioms or phrasal verbs associated with it, you might encounter phrases like: - "to complement each other" meaning that two things work well together.
In summary, "complementary medicine" refers to a healthcare practice that merges traditional and alternative treatments to support a patient's health and well-being.