ALTERNATIVE andor

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• ALTERNATIVE and/or
• COMPLEMENTARY
• THERAPIES

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Alternative Complementary Therapies

• Alternative Therapies are used instead of
  conventional or mainstream medical modalities.
• Complementary Therapies are used in conjunction
  with conventional or mainstream medical
  modalities.

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Non-traditional Therapies

• Ever increasing numbers of health care consumers
  are using nontraditional treatment modalities.

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Roots of Nontraditional Therapies

• Ancient Greece massage, art therapy, herbal
  therapy.
• The Far East energetic-touch therapies.
• China acupuncture, herbalism.
• India Ayurvedic medicine.

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The Shamanistic Tradition

• Shamanism refers to the practice of entering
  altered states of consciousness with the intent
  of helping others.
• The shaman is a folk healer-priest.

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Modern Trends
Modern medicine is looking to non-traditional medi
cine for insight into two main areas

• Mind-Body Medicine and Research.
• Holism and Nursing Practice.

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Mind-Body Medicine and Research

• The traditional medical model is founded on the
  belief that the mind, body, and spirit are
  separate entities. A relatively new field of
  science, however, is called Psychoneuroimmunolo
  gy.

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Psychoneuroimmunology

• The study of the complex relationship among the
  cognitive, affective, and physical aspects of
  humans.

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Body-Mind

• The inseparable connection and operation of
  thoughts, feelings, and physiological functions.

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Holism and Nursing Practice

• As a healing facilitator, the nurse enters into a
  relationship with the client and can be a
• guide.
• change agent.
• instrument of healing.

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Nurse as Instrument of Healing
To serve in this capacity, a nurse should
develop the following attributes

• Knowledge base.
• Intentionality (having conscious direction of
  goals).
• Respect for differences.
• Ability to model wellness.

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Using Alternative Complementary Therapies

• Have a non-judgmental attitude.
• Ask clients if they use nontraditional therapies.
• Get instruction in these therapies before trying
  to administer them.
• Try one or two basic therapies (e.g. massage or
  guided imagery).
• Discuss a therapy with the client before using it.

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Common Elements of Alternative Complementary
Interventions

• The whole system is considered.
• The person is integrated and related to the
  surroundings.
• There exists some life force or energy to be used
  in the healing process.
• Ritual, prescribed practice and skilled
  practitioners are vital to holistic healing
  interventions.

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Mind-Body (Self-Regulatory) Techniques

• Methods by which an individual can, independently
  or with assistance, consciously control some
  functions of the sympathetic nervous system (e.g.
  heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure).

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Leading Mind-Body Techniques

• Meditation
• Relaxation
• Imagery
• Bio-feedback
• Hypnosis

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Meditation

• Quieting the mind by focusing the attention.
• Benefits include stress relief, relaxation,
  reduced level of lactic acid, efficient
  effective oxygen consumption, slowed heart rate,
  decreased blood pressure, improved functioning of
  the immune system.

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Relaxation

• A therapeutic process incorporating the basic
  elements of meditation.
• Basic elements include a quiet environment, a
  comfortable position, focused attention, a
  passive attitude, practice.

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Imagery

• A technique of using the imagination to visualize
  a soothing, pleasant image.
• Benefits include decreased physical tension,
  decreased anxiety, and decreasing the adverse
  effects of chemotherapy.

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Bio-feedback

• The measurement of physiological responses that
  yields information about the relationship between
  the body and mind and helps clients learn ways to
  manipulate those responses through mental
  activity.

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Uses of Bio-feedback

• A restorative method in rehabilitation settings
  for clients who have lost sensation and function
  as result of injury or illness.
• To relieve tension headaches, migraines and
  backache.
• To reduce bruxism (grinding of the teeth).
• To lower blood pressure.
• Temperature bio-feedback useful in treating
  Raynauds disease (constriction and spasms of
  small arteries).

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Therapeutic Hypnosis

• Induces an altered state of consciousness or
  awareness resembling sleep during which the
  person is more receptive to suggestion.
• Hypnosis also enhances clients ability to form
  images (for guided imagery).

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Body-Movement Therapies

• Therapies employing techniques of moving or
  manipulating various body parts to achieve
  therapeutic outcomes.

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Leading Body-Movement Strategies

• Movement and Exercise
• Yoga
• Tai Chi
• Chiropractic Therapy

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Energetic-Touch Therapies

• Techniques of using the hands to direct or
  redirect the flow of the bodys energy fields and
  thus enhance balance within those fields.

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Leading Energetic-Touch Therapies

• Therapeutic massage
• Therapeutic touch
• Healing touch
• Shiatsu
• Acupressure
• Reflexology

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Cultural Considerations of Touch

• Ask permission before touching a client.
• Tell the client what is going to happen.
• The meaning of touch and the body areas
  acceptable to touch vary from culture to culture.

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Leading Spiritual Therapies
Spiritual therapies can be helpful modalities in
caring for clients. Important spiritual therapies
include

• Faith healing.
• Healing Prayer and Chanting (Kiirtan).
• Shamanism.

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Leading Nutritional/Medicinal Therapies

• Phytochemicals.
• Antioxidants and Free Radicals.
• Macrobiotic Diet.
• Herbal Therapy.

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Phytochemicals

• Non-nutritive, physiologically active compounds
  present in plants in very small amounts.
• Protect against cancer and prevent heart disease,
  stroke, and cataracts.
• Source fruits and vegetables.

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Antioxidants and Free Radicals

• Antioxidants substances that prevent or inhibit
  oxidation, a chemical process whereby a substance
  is joined to oxygen.
• Free radicals Antioxidants prevent tissue damage
  related to these, which are unstable molecules
  that alter genetic codes and trigger the
  development of cancer growth.

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Other Important Methodologies

• Aromatherapy.
• Humor.
• Pet Therapy.
• Music Therapy.
• Play Therapy.
• Yogic Dances.

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Important Terms Associated with Treatment
Modalities

• Proven - have been scientifically tested in
  clinical trials.
• Experimental - are undergoing regulatory (e.g.
  FDA) investigations.
• Untested - have not been investigated by
  regulatory bodies.
• Folklore - passed through generations.
• Quackery - no proven effectiveness, may harm
  consumer.