Many people who use complimentary therapies are often told that they don't work or are an expensive waste of money.

However, George Lewith, a professor of health research at Southampton University has claimed that scientists who campaign against such therapies are being unfair to patients. 

Commenting on the professors suggestions, a spokesperson for The Prince's Foundation for Integrated Health, said that many people feel better by using such therapies. 

"There is a passion to sneer at the placebo effect but the placebo effect, in fact, is nothing less than triggering the body's own ability to hear itself, and if that's effective then that's very useful for the patient," she said. 

"If they help people to feel better then they're worth using." 

Popular complimentary therapies include acupuncture, aromatherapy and herbal medicines, as well as massage and reflexology. 

Professor Lewith claimed that often, people "hear bigotry rather than science" when it comes complimentary therapy.


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