Complementary & Alternative Medicine and Stress Management

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) as well as stress management and coping strategies.

Complementary Medicine

Used with conventional medicine, such as massage therapy alongside prescribed treatments.

Alternative Medicine

Used instead of conventional medicine, for example, acupuncture instead of taking pain medications.

Integrative Medicine

Combines both conventional and alternative medicine in a coordinated manner.

Holistic Health

Focus on the well-being of the mind, body, and spirit.

Natural Treatments

Preferential methods of treatment that do not involve conventional medicine.

Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)

A study design used in conventional medicine to verify effectiveness.

Double-Blind Studies

Research method that prevents both participants and researchers from knowing who receives the treatment.

Placebo Effect

A phenomenon where patients experience benefits from treatments that have no therapeutic effect.

Chronic Pain

A condition that often leads people to seek complementary and alternative medicine.

Stress-Related Illnesses

Health issues that arise as a result of chronic stress.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A psychological treatment that helps change negative thoughts to influence behavior.

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Therapy that emphasizes accepting pain while living a meaningful life.

Somatosensory Cortex

The part of the brain responsible for processing body sensations.

McGill Pain Questionnaire

Widely used questionnaire that measures location, intensity, and type of pain.

Gate Control Theory

Theory suggesting that pain signals are regulated by a 'gate' in the spinal cord.

Referred Pain

Pain that is experienced in a location different from the actual source.

Stress

Can be a stimulus, response, or interaction between a person and their environment.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

Hans Selye's theory outlining the stages of stress response: Alarm, Resistance, and Exhaustion.

Lazarus's Cognitive Theory

Theory that stress is dependent on personal perception and appraisal of the situation.

Diathesis-Stress Model

Explains why some individuals may develop illness due to predisposition combined with stress.

Allostasis

The process by which the body adapts to stress.

Allostatic Load

The accumulated wear and tear on the body from chronic stress.

Problem-Focused Coping

Strategies that aim to address the problem directly.

Emotion-Focused Coping

Coping methods that manage emotional distress rather than the problem.

Meaning-Focused Coping

Finding purpose or growth in stressful situations.

Locus of Control

The degree to which individuals believe they have control over events affecting them.

Lazarus Coping Process

Steps in coping: appraisal, coping efforts, and reappraisal.

Optimism and Health

A positive outlook contributes to better health outcomes.

Pessimism and Health

A negative outlook that can lead to worse health outcomes.

Stress & Immune System

Chronic stress weakens the immune system and increases illness risk.

CVD Risk Factors

High stress reactivity increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Ulcers Direct Cause

Bacterial infection by H. pylori.

Indirect Causes of Ulcers

Stress can weaken the immune system and lead to unhealthy behaviors.

Increasing Pain Factors

Anxiety and attention can enhance the experience of pain.

Decreasing Pain Factors

Distraction and touch, like rubbing an injury, can reduce pain.

Selye vs Lazarus

Selye focused on biological responses; Lazarus emphasized cognitive appraisal.

Coping Steps

Steps involved in coping include appraising the situation, choosing coping strategies, and adjusting.

Complementary vs Alternative

Complementary is used alongside conventional treatments, while alternative is used instead.

Integrative Approach

Combining complementary and conventional medicine for holistic health.

Acupuncture

An example of alternative medicine used to treat pain.

Mindfulness/Meditation

An approach often included in complementary medicine for stress reduction.

Physical Therapy

A form of complementary medicine often used with conventional treatments.

Chiropractic

An example of a practice that has become widely accepted in conventional medicine.