Complementary and Alternative Medicine Flashcards

Flashcards about Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Holistic Care

The uniqueness of each individual, interaction among mind, body, and spirit, multiple factors as causes of illness and disease, and the patient’s participation in treatment and healing.

Alternative therapy

Used instead of conventional treatment.

Complementary therapy

Used along with conventional treatment.

Allopathic Medicine

Traditional medicine, conventional medicine, or Western medicine; refers to the treatment of disease by creating an environment that is antagonistic to it

Eastern and Alternative Health Care

Practice that comes from Asia and India where illness is viewed as disharmony, imbalance, or defect of energy; personal responsibility is a key to health with emphasis on prevention of disease and mind-body connections.

Chiropractic

Manipulation of the spine to relieve pressure on the nerves; natural and conservative methods of health care preferred to invasive treatment and drugs.

Massage therapy

The application of stroking, pressure, friction, and kneading to muscles and other soft tissues to relax muscles and decrease stress.

Acupuncture

Inserting fine needles into points along meridians (channels of energy).

Acupressure

Blend of acupuncture and pressure

Yoga

A mind–body intervention used to decrease the negative effects of stress though use of breathing exercises, physical postures, and meditation that invokes ideas of harmony, health, and balance and keeps energy meridians open and flowing to prevent diseases.

Lifestyle changes

Belief that disease can be prevented or eliminated by adopting a healthy lifestyle of eating whole foods that have not been processed or adulterated such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and very little meat

Holism

Emphasizes the uniqueness of each individual and the interactions among mind, body, and spirit; may identify multiple factors as causes of illness and disease.