Whether you are looking to find a physiotherapist to help you recover from an injury, a chiropractor to help you with some postural issues or an aromatherapist to promote relaxation – we understand that the idea of putting your health and well-being into the hands of another individual can be difficult – especially if you are unsure as to what qualifications and experience the practitioner should possess.

CAM IOM Therapy Directory understands that when searching for an alternative or complementary therapist, it is comforting to know that they are qualified and working to high standards within the industry – which is why we only list practitioners who have either provided us with proof of a relevant qualification and insurance cover, or proof of registration with a professional body.

As it stands, the world of complementary and alternative therapy is largely unregulated, with only a few professions currently subject to statutory regulation.

Because there is a lack of legislation in position to regulate and set standards for complementary and alternative therapies, various professional bodies have set themselves up with a view to self-regulating the profession.

Whilst therapy practitioners are under no legal obligation (with the exception of statutorily regulated professions) to register with one of these bodies, being a member means that a therapist has met specific eligibility requirements set by the organisation and will also mean that they are bound by that organisations code of ethics and complaints procedure.

Knowing that a therapist holds an appropriate qualification, has undergone training in the field, and will refer patients who require medical care on for treatment with a professional are all reassuring factors for potential clients.

Each professional body will have developed their own unique set of criteria for membership, which in most cases will involve proof of a relevant qualification and evidence of training within the field.

In addition to entry requirements, many professional organisations will also require their members to undertake regular ‘Continuing Professional Development’ (CPD), which simply explained is a way for alternative and complementary therapists to track and document any skills gained or learned in addition to their initial training, so clients can see that they are continuing to develop their skill set.

Most professional bodies will provide a range of different membership categories, with the level of training and experience possessed determining which category the member slots into (e.g. Student Member, Associate Member, Member, Accredited Member).

A multidisciplinary body is a professional body that regulates more than one therapy profession.

For more information about the various multidisciplinary bodies for complementary and alternative therapists on the Isle of Man, visit our separate page on multidisciplinary bodies.