The Victorian AIDS Council's Complementary Therapies Officer is available Tuesday to Friday to answer questions, provide information, and give referrals to Complementary Therapy practioners who are experienced in treating people with HIV.

The Complementary Therapies Officer is available by phone to answer questions or discuss issues. Or you can arrange a face-to-face or phone appointment if you’d prefer to talk about things in more detail. The Complementary Therapies Officer is based at the Positive Living Centre - 51 Commercial Road, South Yarra - and can be contacted on (03) 9863 0444 (or free-call 1800 622 795 for country callers).

Frequently asked questions:

• Can I do anything to reduce the side-effects of medical drugs I’m taking?
  

• What can I do to treat a problem I’m having that isn’t responding to medical treatment?
  

• Are the nutritional supplements/herbs etc I’m using the right ones?
  

• How can I generally improve my health and well-being?
  

• What can I do to manage HIV without taking medical drugs?
  

• I’m planning to take a break from my drugs; can natural therapies assist me?
  

• Can natural therapies help increase my T4 count and immune function?
  

• Can natural therapies help my Hepatitis C and, specifically, reduce ALT levels?
  

• Where can I get access to Pathology tests that I can’t get done via my usual doctor? (eg to measure antioxidant status)
  

• Where can I find an 'HIV-competent' natural therapist?

The Complementary Therapies Officer also edits a free, Complementary Therapies e-mail newsletter to which you can subscribe. Make sure you check it out, along with links to more information, in the column on the right side of this page.