Spend less to FEEL BETTER

Get the low-down on popular alternative remedies before parting with your pennies

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With the cost of living still on the rise it's important to be savvy about where we're putting our money. But can investing in our health ever really be considered 'wasteful'? While many alternative therapy benefits are backed by science, the reality is a lot of them are still pricey - and you can often get similar results at home. Here, we ask the experts what's worth spending money on, and the self-care tricks which don't compromise on benefits.

Acupuncture

With origins in Chinese medicine, this involves fine needles being inserted into points on the body to unblock the flow of energy. There's solid evidence to suggest it can help relieve back pain and migraines. Scientists think the needles stimulate nerves, sending signals to the brain to produce pain-relieving hormones. Ask your GP about acupuncture on the NHS, or visit medical-acupuncture.co.uk - expect to pay from £35 for a private session.

Your alternative

Acupressure can be done anywhere and is needle-free. It uses pressure to stimulate the body and can relieve pain, tension and encourage blood flow. 'Using needles is often more effective, but acupressure can achieve similar results,' says TCM consultant Dr Wei Xiong. Look online for which pressure points target specific problems.

Hypnotherapy

Hypnosis can be used to help treat stress-related conditions. Struggle with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)? This treatment could help - it’s thought that by entering a deeply focused state, your brain can better communicate with your gut to improve symptoms.

Your alternative