ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the role of complementary and alternative healthcare and their contribution to a holistic approach to health and wellbeing that lies beyond the realms of a westernized approach to mainstream healthcare. It focuses on the therapeutic use of acupuncture, which brings together ancient and modern approaches to medicine. Play makes us feel better and acts as an energizing life force. Complementary and alternative medicines are concerned with healing the body, mind, soul and spirit and acknowledge that the life force is vital to all of us. Playfulness is considered to be an essential component of wellbeing and it may be that a complementary approach to healthcare provision can enhance the patient experience so as to facilitate playfulness and all its associated benefits. Complementary and alternative healthcare approaches are linked to balance and a focus on returning the body to a balanced state. Alternative approaches to healthcare can both facilitate and be facilitated by playfulness and playful activities.
