Complimentary and Alternative Therapies Definitions Complementary therapy Used

Complimentary and Alternative Therapies

Definitions • Complementary therapy: – Used with conventional treatment • Alternative therapy: – Used in place of conventional treatment

Complementary/Alternative Medicine (CAM) • Factors contributing to popularity: – Increased awareness of limitations of conventional medicine – Increased international travel – Increased media attention – Advent of the Internet

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine • Established in 1998 at National Institutes of Health (NIH) • Rigorous research on CAM • Training CAM researchers • Disseminating information to public and professionals • Integrative medicine

Benefits of CAM • Emphasizes maintenance of wellness and prevention of illness • Utilizes a holistic approach • May be less expensive • May be more accessible

Risks of CAM • Lack of standardization • Lack of regulation and research • Inadequate training and certification of some healers • Financial and health risks of unproven methods

Traditional Chinese Medicine Ensures a balance of energy Chi is invisible flow of energy in the body. Chi flows along pathways or meridians. Yin and yang: Opposing pathways that form the whole

Quigong

Meditation

Massage

Reflexology

YOGA

Therapeutic Touch

Reiki

Homeopathy Healing system that uses like to cure like Remedies are minute dilutions of substances

Ayurveda • Five elements: – Ether, wind, fire, water, and earth • Three tendencies, called doshas: – Vata, pitta, and kapha • The goal is to balance the doshas

More Mind-Body Therapies • • • Hypnosis Biofeedback Visualization Guided imagery Meditation Prayer

Acupressure/Acupuncture • Acupressure: – Pressure from thumbs and fingers – Stimulates pressure points • Acupuncture: – Fine stainless steel needles – Applied to specific sites

Manipulative and Body-Based Therapies • • • Chiropractic medicine Hydrotherapy Exercise Massage therapy Hatha Yoga Reflexology • Chiropractic medicine: – Based on concepts of manipulation • Craniosacral therapy: – Based on belief that bones of skull do not fuse completely and rhythmic pulses can be detected – Uses light touch to test for restrictions – Assists hydraulic forces to heal

Herbal Remedies • Nutritive value of foods • Dietary supplements • Herbal medicine