Both terms refer to use of alternative medical treatments alongside conventional medicine, an example of which is use of acupuncture (sticking needles in the body to influence the flow of a supernatural energy), along with using science-based medicine, in the belief that the acupuncture increases the effectiveness or "complements" the science-based medicine.
Begge begreber refererer til brug af alternative behandlinger sammen med konventionel medicin, et eksempel herpå er brugen af akupunktur (at stikke nåle i kroppen for at påvirke flowet af overnaturlig energi) sammen med videnskabsbaseret medicin, fordi det antages at akupunktur øger effektiviteten eller "komplementerer" den videnskabeligt baserede medicin.