Complementary and Alternative Medicine Review

Alternative and Complementary Medicine Notes

Overview of Key Terms

  • Holism

    • Defined as the relationship among all living things.

  • Acupressure

    • A blend of acupuncture and pressure, part of traditional Chinese medicine.
    • Similar to acupuncture but uses pressure instead of needles to affect the meridians’ flow of energy.

  • Acupuncture

    • An ancient practice involving the insertion of fine needles into selected points along meridians, which are energy pathways within the body.

  • Allopathic Medicine

    • A Western medical approach that treats disease based on the premise that illness is caused by foreign invaders like antigens, viruses, and bacteria, necessitating medication or surgical intervention to repair or remove disease-affected organs.

Treatment Modalities and Their Classifications

Complementary and Alternative Medicine

  1. Complementary Therapy

    • Used alongside conventional treatments.
    • Example: A client using both prescription medications and chiropractic services for chronic back pain.

  2. Alternative Therapy

    • Used instead of conventional treatments.
    • Example: A treatment approach completely replacing typical medical protocols.

  3. Conventional Therapy

    • Western medical practices.
    • Involves prescription medications and surgeries as treatment options.

  4. Integrative Health Care

    • A coordinated approach combining Western medicine and Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM).
    • Example: Coordination between diet, exercise, and medications for hypertension.

Specific Treatment Types

Massage Therapy Styles

  • Shiatsu

    • A Japanese massage style using thumb pressure along energy meridians.

  • Swedish Massage

    • Characterized by long, flowing strokes, kneading, and compression; calming and pain-relieving.

  • Reflexology

    • Associated with pressure on foot nerve endings connected to internal organs.

  • Deep Tissue Massage

    • Involves strenuous techniques with focused pressure on tight muscle areas and trigger points.

Other Treatments for Specific Conditions

  1. Acupuncture for Cancer-Related Nausea

    • Found effective in reducing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in cancer patients.

  2. Ginger and Melatonin

    • Ginger: Effective for nausea in certain contexts, not always tied to chemotherapy.
    • Melatonin: Often used for sleep problems but not directly linked to chemotherapy side effects.

Diet and Nutrition

Ornish Diet

  • Overview

    • A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, found to reverse heart disease without drugs or surgery, focusing on lifestyle changes.

  • Loaded with Good Nutrition Components:

    • High in good carbohydrates, fats, and proteins; low in processed foods.

Herbal Supplements

  1. Chamomile

    • Primarily for treating insomnia.

  2. Soy

    • Aids in acute diarrhea and decreases cholesterol.

  3. Peppermint Oil

    • May alleviate irritable bowel syndrome and improve digestive health.

  4. Valerian

    • Used to enhance sleep quality.

  5. Ginseng

    • Helpful in modifying cholesterol levels but not commonly associated with diabetes.

Mind-Body Practices

  • Meditation

    • A technique focused on a single point of awareness to promote mental and physical well-being.

  • Biofeedback

    • Uses monitoring devices to help patients become aware of physiological changes (e.g., heart rate, blood pressure) to control them through relaxation techniques.

  • Yoga Types

    • Hatha Yoga: Slow-paced, beginner-friendly.
    • Ashtanga Yoga: Intense, fast-paced.
    • Power Yoga: Intense strength-building; not strictly sequential.
    • Yin and Restorative Yoga: Focus on relaxation and deep stretching.

Integrative Health Care Perspectives

  • Holistic Health Care
    • Emphasizes the unique aspects of individuals and considers multiple causes for illness.
    • Factors include the interaction among mind, body, and spirit, supporting client participation in healing and treatment processes.

Nursing and Patient Education

  • Alternative Treatments
    • Clients should be effectively educated on interactions between herbal treatments and prescribed medications, especially concerning anticoagulants like warfarin, where several supplements like St. John’s Wort and Feverfew should be discontinued due to potential bleeding complications.
    • Essential for clients to communicate with caregivers about all substances they consume, including supplements.

Acupuncture Applications

  • Effective for a range of conditions; researched efficacy includes nausea post-chemotherapy, management of migraines, and chronic pain conditions.

Safety and Precautions

  • Be cautious when using massage therapy for clients with conditions like high stress levels, muscle tightness, but contraindicated for clients with a history of blood clots or severe medical conditions.

Summary of Important Definitions

  • Alternative Therapy: A therapy used instead of conventional treatment.
  • Shiatsu: A specific type of Japanese massage involving pressure along energy pathways.
  • Energy Imbalance: A fundamental concept in Eastern medicine indicating the root of illness.

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This extensive compilation of notes should serve as a comprehensive guide to the concepts, practices, and applications of CAM and holistic health practices. The information encapsulates definitions, classifications, relevant examples and clinical recommendations.