Delegates were given an overview of a wide range of complementary medicine techniques. Christina Robino from the Bristol Cancer Help Centre explained that although the Centre specialises in complementary therapies for cancer patients, the holistic approach is of equal relevance and benefit to people with other health problems, including those with pituitary disorders.

Louise Laws from the Bristol Cancer Help Centre described the ancient Indian system of medicine known as Ayurvedic therapy. In particular, she explained how different therapeutic regimes were appropriate to different people. She explained the different types of personality and different type of disease and how, with appropriate knowledge, one could use diet, herbs, cleansing techniques, yoga and meditation to help with treatment of endocrine disease.

Di Wilson, also from the Bristol Cancer Help Centre, described the technique of aromatherapy using essential oils, which she described as being like vegetable hormones. She stated that aromatherapy needed to be used together with standard medical treatment and could be particularly useful for its calming effect and helping the state of mind.

Dr Rosalind Hinton described the technique of hypnotherapy. Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness characterised by altered mood, sensation and perception in a way akin to being 'switched off'. This allows access to unconscious processes and alters activity of the nervous system. What was particularly revealing was to hear that patients could easily learn a technique of self-hypnosis and once this had been learnt, they could basically treat themselves. There were no side effects from this treatment but it did need strong patient motivation.

Finally, Dr David Spence discussed the technique of homeopathy. He reminded us that it was part of the National Health Service and could be prescribed free. It was not a panacea for all ills, neither was it a system of belief. It is, however, a system of therapeutics which is designed to stimulate the body to respond against the illness it might have.

A clinical diagnosis is necessary before a decision to use homeopathy is made. The treatment can either be for a local condition such as headache or for treating constitutional problems in the whole patient, aiming to deal with all symptoms. It could be used as stand-alone treatment or complementary to standard medical care. It did not react with ordinary medicines and there were no side effects. It was safe in pregnancy and is generally both economical and efficacious.

There was an interesting question and answer session and it was clear that complementary therapy might help many pituitary patients deal with their problems that were not completely catered for by their normal medical practitioner.