Bermuda – Complementary and Alternative Medicine

What is complementary and alternative medicine in Bermuda?

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) refers to a wide range of health practices that fall outside conventional, or “mainstream,” medicine. Alternative medicine is defined as a range of medical therapies that are used instead of traditional, or mainstream, therapies. When used alongside conventional treatments, these therapies are typically described as “complementary.” In Bermuda, the CAM sector includes disciplines such as acupuncture, naturopathy, massage therapy, chiropractic care, osteopathy, reflexology, craniosacral therapy, herbal medicine, and nutritional therapy.

Acupuncture falls within the category of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in Bermuda. The same classification applies to the other modalities listed above. CAM is widely used on the island, with a number of established local clinics and practitioners offering treatments to both residents and visitors. CAM BDA supports qualified practitioners in the fields of complementary and alternative medicine, and members of the public who seek treatment from these professionals.

How is CAM regulated in Bermuda?

In Bermuda, CAM professionals are not currently subject to legislation regarding credentials or practice standards. This contrasts with countries such as the UK, where some CAM professions — including chiropractic and osteopathy — are regulated by statutory bodies under Acts of Parliament, or with certain Canadian provinces where formal college-based regulation is in place. In Bermuda, the absence of statutory oversight means it is especially important for patients to verify a practitioner’s qualifications independently.

There are, however, very active professional associations which vet the credentials and practice standards of their members. For example, the Bermuda Massage Therapy Association ensures that their members have attended an accredited school in Canada, the US or the UK, and complete clinical and academic requirements.

The Bermuda Natural Health Practitioners Council (BNHPC) requires that all registered natural health practitioners agree to provide the highest level of care to all clients, in accordance with the scope of practice for which they are qualified. As most natural health professions are currently unregulated in Bermuda, the BNHPC provides a regulatory framework to which registered members are subjected.

The BNHPC’s core principles include commitments to promoting natural healing, practising “do no harm,” and maintaining high professional conduct. While this voluntary framework provides a level of consumer protection, it is worth remembering that membership is not compulsory, and not all practitioners on the island will be registered with any professional body.

What types of CAM are available in Bermuda?

Bermuda has a surprisingly wide range of CAM modalities available given the island’s small size of around 64,000 residents. The most commonly practised therapies include:

• Acupuncture and Oriental medicine: Acupuncture is a peripheral nerve stimulation technique which involves applying hair-thin needles to specific pressure points or neurofunctional sites to modulate healing. Some clinics offer a range of treatments including acupuncture with manual therapy, cupping therapy, infrared sauna, ionic foot detox, weight reduction programmes, nutrition, and oriental medicine with herbal formulas.
• Naturopathy: Naturopathic physicians trained in accredited naturopathic medical colleges in the USA and Canada diagnose, prevent, and treat patients. Naturopathy uses a combination of lifestyle medicine, herbal remedies, nutrition, and other natural approaches.
• Massage therapy: Therapeutic massage is one of the most widely available CAM services on the island, with practitioners required by their professional association to hold qualifications from accredited schools.
• Chiropractic and osteopathy: Both disciplines focus on musculoskeletal health and are available in Bermuda, with sessions covered by some private health insurance plans.
• Reflexology: Foot and hand reflexology is available and is treated similarly to massage by some insurers.
• Craniosacral therapy: Craniosacral therapy is a holistic complementary modality that can assist in bringing relief to many prevalent conditions such as anxiety, depression, stress, grief, chronic fatigue, and headaches.
• Herbal and traditional medicine: The Oriental medical system, which dates back thousands of years, uses herbs, nutrition, and acupuncture to give optimal results.
• Tai Chi and Qi Gong: Tai Chi, Qi Gong and Oriental medicine have been available in Bermuda since 1989, introduced alongside continued training in various internal martial arts disciplines.

Which organisations support CAM in Bermuda?

Several bodies exist to support CAM practitioners and patients in Bermuda. The most prominent include:

• Bermuda Natural Health Practitioners Council (BNHPC): The island’s primary voluntary regulatory and membership body for natural health practitioners. The BNHPC sets a code of conduct, maintains a register of members, and advocates for the sector. Visit their website at bnhpc.org.
• CAM BDA (Complementary and Alternative Medicine Bermuda): CAM BDA supports qualified practitioners in the fields of complementary and alternative medicine and members of the public who seek treatment from these professionals, aiming to serve as a bridge between the CAM community and the wider public.
• Bermuda Massage Therapy Association: This professional body vets the academic and clinical credentials of massage therapists practising on the island, ensuring practitioners have attended accredited training programmes.
• Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Association: Regarding acupuncture in Bermuda, the modality is overseen by the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Association. Prospective patients can use this body to find suitably qualified acupuncturists.
• Bermuda Health Council (BHeC): While BHeC is the island’s primary health oversight body for the wider health system, it also maintains a list of professional bodies including those representing CAM practitioners. You can find details at healthcouncil.bm.
• COHA Health: One of Bermuda’s best-known complementary medicine clinics, COHA blends eastern knowledge with western rigour, offering acupuncture, massage, martial arts, detoxing, and nutrition — combining time-proven results of ancient technologies with modern evidence-based science. Learn more at cohahealth.com.

Is CAM covered by health insurance in Bermuda?

Health insurance coverage for CAM therapies in Bermuda is neither universal nor mandatory. Insurers are not required to cover CAM services and policies vary, so it’s worth checking before you go. This is an important consideration for anyone planning to use CAM services regularly, as out-of-pocket costs on the island can be significant.

That said, a number of private health insurance plans do include benefits for certain CAM therapies. For example, the Argus Lighthouse Plan (effective June 2024) reimburses $85 per session for physical medicine and supplementary therapies including chiropractic, osteopathy, massage (inclusive of reflexology), acupuncture, and naturopathic doctors. Always verify the current schedule and your annual maximums directly with your insurer, as benefit limits and eligibility criteria differ between plans.

It is also worth noting that most healthcare fees and coverage are not regulated in Bermuda, meaning each party in the health system can set their own rates. This applies to CAM practitioners as much as to other private health providers. There are no government-mandated fee schedules for complementary therapies, so prices can vary considerably between clinics and individual practitioners. Always ask about fees upfront before committing to a course of treatment.

How does CAM fit into Bermuda’s wider health system?

Bermuda’s conventional healthcare system is primarily private and insurance-driven, and is distinct from systems with universal public provision such as the UK’s NHS or Canada’s provincial health plans. Bermuda offers an almost private healthcare system regulated by certain government ministries, and unlike other countries with universal public healthcare, Bermuda offers its own health insurance plans. CAM sits within this largely private ecosystem.

Bermuda has one Accident and Emergency hospital, King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH), located in Hamilton, which is owned and operated by the government. For serious or complex conditions that cannot be treated on the island, patients are typically referred overseas — most often to the United States. CAM practitioners therefore often play a complementary role by supporting overall wellness, managing chronic conditions, and reducing the burden on the conventional system.

The Bermuda Health Strategy 2022–2027 supports the core vision of “healthy people in healthy communities” and sets out eight strategic principles intended to put Bermuda on a new path towards an equitable, accessible, and sustainable health system. While the strategy focuses primarily on conventional and preventive medicine, the broader emphasis on wellness and prevention is consistent with the philosophy underpinning many CAM disciplines. The Bermuda Health Strategy 2022–2027 outlines the high-level steps and timelines for a phased approach from highest-priority essential services toward the territory’s vision of a stronger, sustainable healthcare system.

How do I find a CAM practitioner in Bermuda?

Finding a reputable CAM practitioner in Bermuda requires a little research, given the absence of a statutory public register. The following steps will help you identify a qualified, trustworthy professional:

1. Check the BNHPC register: Visit bnhpc.org to search for registered natural health practitioners. Practitioners listed here have agreed to the council’s code of conduct and practice standards.
2. Contact the relevant professional association: For massage therapy, contact the Bermuda Massage Therapy Association; for acupuncture, reach out to the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Association. Contact details for these bodies can be found via the Bermuda Health Council’s professional bodies directory at healthcouncil.bm.
3. Verify qualifications: Ask your practitioner where they trained, whether their school was accredited, and whether they hold any professional indemnity insurance. The Bermuda Massage Therapy Association, for example, ensures that their members have attended an accredited school in Canada, the US or the UK.
4. Check your insurance policy: Before booking, confirm with your health insurer whether the specific therapy and practitioner are covered under your plan, and whether you need a referral or pre-authorisation.
5. Ask your GP: Your conventional general practitioner may be able to recommend reputable local CAM practitioners and can advise on whether a given therapy is appropriate for your health situation.
6. Use established clinics: Clinics such as COHA Health offer a range of CAM services under one roof and have established reputations on the island.

Frequently asked questions

Is CAM legally regulated in Bermuda?

CAM professionals in Bermuda are not currently subject to legislation regarding credentials or practice standards. Regulation is voluntary, with professional associations such as the BNHPC providing a framework for member conduct. Patients should verify a practitioner’s qualifications before beginning any treatment.

What is the BNHPC and what does it do?

The Bermuda Natural Health Practitioners Council (BNHPC) requires that all registered natural health practitioners provide the highest level of care in accordance with their qualified scope of practice. As most natural health professions are currently unregulated in Bermuda, the BNHPC provides a voluntary regulatory framework to which registered members are subjected. It is the island’s key body for natural health practitioners.

Can I get acupuncture in Bermuda?

Yes. Acupuncture is widely available in Bermuda, offered at specialist clinics and by individual practitioners. Acupuncture in Bermuda is overseen by the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Association. Some private health insurance plans reimburse acupuncture sessions — check your policy for details.

Will my health insurance cover CAM treatments in Bermuda?

Insurers are not required to cover CAM services, and policies vary, so it’s worth checking before you go. Some plans — such as the Argus Lighthouse Plan — do include reimbursements for therapies including massage, chiropractic, osteopathy, acupuncture, and naturopathy, but benefit limits apply. Always check directly with your insurer.

Is naturopathy available in Bermuda?

Yes. Naturopathic physicians educated and trained in accredited naturopathic medical colleges in the USA and Canada are classified under the BNHPC’s framework and can diagnose, prevent, and treat patients. Naturopathic services are available on the island and are sometimes reimbursed by private insurers.

Are herbal medicines and supplements available in Bermuda?

Yes. Several CAM clinics and practitioners in Bermuda incorporate herbal medicine and nutritional supplements into their practice. Some clinics offer herbal formulas and health products alongside other treatments such as acupuncture, cupping therapy, and nutrition. Standard pharmaceutical regulations apply to what may be imported and sold on the island, so some specialist products may need to be sourced from overseas.

How does Bermuda’s CAM sector compare to other jurisdictions?

Unlike jurisdictions such as British Columbia, Canada — where a statutory college regulates chiropractors, massage therapists, naturopathic physicians, and traditional Chinese medicine practitioners — CAM professionals in Bermuda are not subject to legislation regarding credentials or practice standards. The voluntary framework offered by bodies like the BNHPC provides some protection, but patients should exercise additional diligence when choosing a practitioner.

What should I look for when choosing a CAM practitioner in Bermuda?

Look for practitioners who are registered with a recognised professional body such as the BNHPC, who hold qualifications from accredited institutions, and who carry professional indemnity insurance. All registered BNHPC practitioners must agree to provide the highest level of care to all clients and to the best of their ability in accordance with the scope of practice for which they are qualified. It is always sensible to discuss any new complementary therapy with your conventional doctor, especially if you have an existing health condition.