Foundation Of Nursing
NUR 212
Complementary And Alternative
Therapy
Introduction
Alternative medicine or Complementary therapy
are used to describe as many as 1800 other
therapies practiced all over the world .
They are based on the medical systems of ancient
people including : Egyptian , Chinese , Asian ,
Indian and Greek and Native Americans
Basic Concepts of Complementary
and alternative therapy .
Several concepts are common to most alternative
practices :
1- Holism
Is the paradigm of whole systems and the belief
that people are more than physical bodies with
fixable and replaceable parts . Combined
mental , emotional , spiritual , relationship and
environmental components .
Basic Concepts..cont,.
2- Humanism
The humanist perspective includes propositions
such as the following : the mind and body are
indivisible, people have the power to solve their
own problems , people are responsible for the
patterns of their lives , and well- being is a
combination of personal satisfaction and
contribution to the larger community .
Basic concepts ..cont,…
3-Balance :
In terms of optimal wellness . The concept of balance
consists of mental , physical , emotional , spiritual and
environmental components . :
- Physical aspects : include optimal functioning of all body
system.
- Emotional aspects : include the ability to feel and
express the entire range of human emotions .
- Mental aspect: include feeling of self-worth.
- Spiritual aspects : moral values, a meaningful purpose in
life .
Basic concepts ….
Balance :
- Environmental aspect :include physical ,
biological , economic , social , and political
condition .
Being in balance is a learned skill and one that must
be practiced regularly to engage in the processes
of healthful living
Basic Concepts ……cont,..
4- Spirituality :
Spiritual healing technique and spiritually based
health care systems are among the most ancient
healing practices .
Spirit is the liveliness , richness and beauty of one’s
life , it is dimension that involves relationship
with oneself , with others and with a higher
power .
Basic concepts …..cont,..
5- Energy :
Energy is viewed as the force that integrates
the body , mind and spirit ; it is that which
connecting every thing . Chinese scholar
believed that energy was the basic building
material to of the universe .
Two terms common in various healing :
Grounding and Centering
Basic concepts…… cont,…
Grounding :
Is relates to one’s connection to the ground or
relates to one’s connection to reality .
Centering :
Refers to the processes of bringing one-self to the
center of energy .
Concepts …….CONT,….
6- Healing environment :
We create healing environment when we empower
others by providing the knowledge , skills and
support that allow them to tap into their inner
wisdom and make healthy decision for
themselves .
Healing environment are synthesized of the
medical –curing approach and the nursing
healing approach .
Healing Modalities
1- Systematized health care practices
A- Ayurveda:
The INDIAN system of medicine , illness is
viewed as a state of imbalance among the
body’s system , it also emphasized the
interdependence of the health and of the
individual and the quality of societal life .
B-Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Is based on the premise that the body ‘s
vital energy or qi circulates through
pathways or meridians and can be
accessed and manipulated through
specific anatomical points along the
surfaces of the body .
Diseases are described as the imbalance
or interruption in the flow of qi.
C-Native American Healing
Spirituality and medicine are inseparable in
Native American Medicine . Medicine women
and men see themselves as channels through
which the great power helps others achieve
well- being in mind, body and spirit .
Health is viewed as a balance or harmony of
mind , and body . The goal is to be in harmony
with all things , which means first being in
harmony with one-self .
Botanical healing
1- Herbal medicine :
In many parts of the world , treating illness
with herbs is still the only medicine
available .Thirty percent of all prescription
drugs sold in the US are derived from plants
Example:
Digoxin……from foxglove. Quinine ….from
Peruvian bark. Aspirin ….from willow tree
bark. Morphine ….from opium poppy
2- Aromatherapy
Is the therapeutic use of essential oils of plants in
which the odor or fragrance plays an important part
The chemicals found in the essential oils are absorbed
into the body , resulting in physiological , or
psychological benefits . Essential oils are extracted
from plant and are massaged into the skin , inhaled ,
placed in the bath , used as compresses or mixed
into ointment . Different oils may calm, stimulate ,
improve sleep , change eating habits or boost the
immune system .
Examples of Aromatherapy :
Oils
Chamomile
Action
Sooths muscle ache, sprains , swelling joints, GI
antispasmodic decrease anxiety , stress related headache ,
can be used with children.
Ginger
Helps word off cold , calms , upset stomach , decrease nausea
, sooth sprains , muscle spasms .
Jasmine
Stimulating , antidepressant , massage abdomen , and lower
Back for menstrual cramp.
Lavender
Calming , sedatives , massage around temples for headache ,
inhale to speed recovery from cold , massage chest to relive
congestion , heals burns .
Tea tree
Antifungal , sooth insect bits , in bath for yeast infection ,
drop in handkerchief for cough , congestion .
3- Homeopathy :
Is a self –healing system , assisted by small does of
remedies or medicine , which is useful in a
variety of acute and chronic disorders .
Natural healing compound are prepared through a
process of serial dilution . The compound is first
dissolved in a water-alcohol mixture called the
“mother tincture “ . One drop of tincture is then
mixed with 10 drops of water- alcohol , and this
process is repeated hundreds or thousands of
times .It is not presently understood how
homeopathic remedies work .
4- Naturopathy :
Naturopathy medicine is not only a system of
medicine but also a way of life with emphasis
on client responsibility , client education ,
health maintenance and disease prevention .
It may be the model health system of the future
with the movement toward healthy lifestyles ,
healthy diet and preventive health care .
The goal of treatment is the restoration of health
and body function .
Nutritional therapy
Nutritional therapy consists of the consumption of specific types of
diet or supplements , including : Vitamins , minerals , amino acids
, herbs and other botanicals , and miscellaneous substances as
enzymes , fish oils for the purpose of prevention or treating
illness .
There are 3 major concerns for client use nutritional therapy
1-Efficacy : is the effectiveness of supplements
2- Consistency : consistency in taking supplements
3- Safety : some supplements cause adverse effect as diarrhea , or
high blood pressure , while others become dangerous when
taken in a combination with certain medications , nurses should
asses the clients for use dietary supplement include teaching
Manual Healing Methods
1-CHIROPRATIC :
It is believed that health is a state of balance ,
especially of nervous and musculoskeletal
systems when the spine is fully aligned , nerve
energy flows freely to every cell and organ in the
body , this flows of energy initiate the ability of
the body to work effectively and coordinate
normal body functions .
2-Massage
It is believed that massage aids the ability of the body to
heal it-self and is aimed at achieving or increasing
health and well-being .
Strong sustained touch in massage can have an even
greater effect than other forms of touch . Benefits of
massage :
- Stretch and loosen the muscle and connective tissue .
- Improves blood flow and lymphatic fluid movement
-Speed the removal of metabolic waste products.
- Allowing more oxygen and nutrients to reach the cells.
3- Acupuncture ,Acupressure &
Reflexology
Acupressure & Acupuncture are technique of applying
pressure or stimulation to specific points on the body
To:
- Relive pain , cure certain illness and promote wellness.
Acupuncture uses needles , where as acupressure uses
finger pressure
Reflexology : Is a form of acupressure most commonly
performed on the feet but the hands or ears may also be
manipulated .
4- Hand – Mediated Biofield
Therapies
The three most prominent therapies using the
hands to alter the biofield , or energy field are: 1therapeutic touch ( TT )
2-Healing touch ( HT )
3- Reiki
All three approaches could be simply defined as:
The use of the use of hands on near the body
with the intention to help or to heal .
Mind Body Therapies
1- Yoga
It is a way of life that includes ethical models for
behavior and mental and physical exercise aimed at
producing spiritual enlightenment. The western
approach to Yoga tends to more fitness oriented
with the goal of managing stress , learning to relax
and increasing vitality and well- being .
A typical Yoga cession lasts 20-30 minutes.
2- Mediation
Mediation is a general term for a wide range of practices that
involve relaxing the body and easing the mind .
Guidelines for mediation
1- create a special time and place for mediation.
2- sit either cross-legged on the flower or upright in a straight
backed chair
3- support the pals on the thigh.
4- follow deep breathing .
5- focus attention completely on either breathing or a chosen
mental images .
6- practice this process daily for 10 -20 minutes .
3- Hypnotherapy
Is the application of hypnosis in a wide variety of
medical and psychological disorders .
Hypnosis is a trance state or an altered state of
consciousness in which an individual’s
concentration is focused and distraction is
minimized .
People in trance are aware of what is going on
around them but choose not to focus on it and
can return to normal awareness whenever they
choose
4- Guided Imagery
Is a state of focused attention , much like
hypnosis , that encourages changes in
attitudes , behaviors and physiologic
reaction . Guided imagery can help us
learn how to stop troublesome
thoughts and focus on images that help
us relax and decrease the negative
impact of stressors .
Spiritual Therapy
Faith and religious commitment may play a
role in promoting health and reducing
illness .
1- Faith : refers to beliefs and expectation
about life , ourselves and others .
2- Prayer : is most often defined simply as a
form of communication and fellowship
with Deity or Creator.
Miscellaneous Therapies
1- Music Therapy :
Health is about balance or harmony
of body , mind and spirit .
Music therapy can be used in a verity
of practice settings . Quiet ,
soothing music without words is
often used to induce relaxation .
2-Humor & Laughter
Humor in nursing is defined as helping
the client to "perceive ,appreciate and
express what is funny ,amusing or
ludicrous in order to establish
relationships , relive tension , release
anger , facilitate learning or cope with
painful feelings