What term is used for a therapy that works alongside standard medical treatments?

The term that describes a therapy working alongside standard medical treatments is complementary therapy. This approach focuses on enhancing the effectiveness of conventional medical care by integrating additional treatments that support the patient's overall well-being. Complementary therapies might include practices such as acupuncture, yoga, or certain nutritional strategies, which can help alleviate symptoms and promote recovery without replacing traditional medical interventions.

In contrast, supportive care often refers to treatments aimed at improving quality of life and managing the side effects of medical treatments, but it does not specifically denote therapies used alongside standard treatments. Adjunct therapy is another term that can be used in a similar context, but it may not be as universally recognized as complementary therapy. Alternative treatments are those that are used instead of conventional medicine and do not have a supportive role, making this option less relevant in the context of therapies meant to complement standard care. Thus, complementary therapy distinctly captures the notion of working in harmony with traditional medical practices.