What is the difference between complementary therapies and alternative therapies? Complementary therapies are methods of treatment that are used alongside biomedical therapies, and alternative therapies are methods of treatment that take the place of biomedical therapies. Complementary therapies are methods of treatment that treat the whole person, and alternative therapies are methods of treatment that treat only the symptoms of disease. Complementary therapies are methods of treatment that are used for chronic pain, and alternative therapies are methods of treatment that are used for stress reduction. Complementary therapies are methods of treatment that take the place of biomedical therapies, and alternative therapies are methods of treatment are used alongside biomedical therapies.