Complementary & Alternative Therapies in Nursing

Complementary & Alternative Therapies

Introduction

• Complementary therapies are used in conjunction with or in place of conventional medicine.

  • Example: Guided imagery with narcotic pain medication.

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

• Established to conduct evidence-based research on the effectiveness of various complementary health approaches.

• Provides information to the public.

• NCCIH classifies complementary therapies into two main categories, and a third category for therapies that don't fit in either of the other two:

  • Mind and Body Interventions

  • Natural Products

  • Other Complementary Interventions

Alternative Medicine

• Homeopathic:

  • Symptoms are the body’s attempt to get rid of disease.

  • Stimulates immunity.

  • Uses small doses of illness-inducing substances.

• Naturopathic:

  • Uses natural means to promote health and the body’s healing ability.

  • Involves botanicals, light, and exercise.

• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM):

  • Utilizes earth elements and Qi (energy).

  • Looks for imbalances.

  • Incorporates Tai Chi, medicinal plants, and herbs.

Alternative Medicine - Specific Therapies

• Acupuncture:

  • Branch of TCM.

  • Uses fine needles to disperse energy flow.

  • Treats pain and increases immunity.

• Qi Gong:

  • Chinese exercise therapy.

  • Focused on breathing, improving coordination, and promoting relaxation.

• Folk Medicine:

  • Used by many cultures.

  • Views illness as an imbalance.

  • Uses foods, herbs, and natural compounds to treat the physical component of illness.

  • May include a supernatural component.

Mind-Body Intervention

• Eases stress.

• Used to treat chronic illnesses such as headache, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), and HTN (Hypertension).

  • Techniques include refocusing, conscious breathing, and body awareness.

• Relaxation therapy

• Imagery:

  • Uses visual pictures to decrease stress or promote healing.

• Meditation:

  • Focused attention on a single stimulus; decreases awareness of other stimuli.

  • Induces a restful state, lowering heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), respiratory rate (RR), and anxiety.

Mind-Body Intervention - Additional Therapies

• Biofeedback:

  • Patient learns to control physiological processes.

  • Used to manage pain and panic attacks.

• Yoga:

  • Involves exercise, controlled breathing, and mental focus.

  • Regulates BP and HR and helps with pain management.

Biologic-Based Therapy

• Uses natural substances like foods and herbs.

• People may turn to herbal remedies to reduce the cost of medications.

• Many herbal remedies interfere with prescription medications.

• Patients often fail to report their use of herbal remedies.

Manipulative Therapy

• Chiropractic:

  • Manipulation of the spine to decrease pain.

• Massage:

  • Manipulation of tissue to decrease pain, increase circulation, and relieve muscle stress.

Nurse’s Role in Complementary & Alternative (C&A) Therapies

• Be knowledgeable of various types of C&A therapies.

• Question patients about the use of C&A therapies in a nonjudgmental manner.

• Educate patients on the importance of reporting the use of herbal remedies.