Chapter 20 Exploring Alternative Medicines

Exploring Alternative Medicines Learning Objectives Describe the main differences between modern medical care and alternative medicines. Define the four categories of alternative medicines. Discuss the philosophy and method of treatment in acupuncture, chiropractic, herbal medicine, and homeopathy.

Exploring Alternative Medicines Learning Objectives (continued) Discuss the reasons why some people choose an alternative medicine in addition to or instead of modern medicine. List reasons why herbal remedies may be dangerous. Explain how biomagnetic therapy might help certain health problems. Explain how you can protect yourself from being victimized by health fraud.

Exploring Alternative Medicine Defining Alternative Medicine Alternative Medicines Choosing an Alternative Medicine

Exploring Alternative Medicine Some use alternative medicine because Western medicine has failed to relieve their suffering or cannot cure their diseases. 1/3–1/2 of patients use some form of alternative medicine in addition to conventional treatments. Complimentary medicine: when alternative medicine is used in conjunction with Western medicine.

Exploring Alternative Medicine Integrative medicine: some physicians use alternative medicine with Western medicine in their practices. In 1992, the Office of Alternative Medicine was formed to fund research to test the validity and effectiveness of different alternative medicines. In 1998, it turned into the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NOCAM).

Defining Alternative Medicine Alternative medicine can be divided into four broad categories: Spiritual, psychic, or mental approaches Nutritional therapies, including changes in diet, fasting, and use of supplements Therapies using herbs or other substances derived from natural sources Physical therapies such as chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, and yoga

Defining Alternative Medicine

Alternative Medicine Ayurveda Homeopathy Chiropractic Osteopathy Acupuncture Herbal medicine

Alternative Medicine (continued) Naturopathy Therapeutic massage Aromatherapy Biomagnetic therapy Quackery

Alternative Medicine Ayurveda “Health is knowledge of life.” One of the world’s oldest medical systems; has been practiced in India for more than 4,000 years. Embraces a holistic approach to health. Health is a result of balance of mind, body, and spirit. Views people as made of five elements: earth, water, fire, air, and space.

Alternative Medicine Ayurveda (continued) When the doshas (interactions of the body with the environment) are in balance, people experience health on all levels—physical, emotional, and spiritual. Primary recommendations Nutrition Exercise Massage Meditation Herbal remedies

Alternative Medicine Ayurveda (continued) Nutrition Exercise Each of the six tastes affects the body in different ways. Exercise Yoga T’ai chi ch’uan Jogging

Alternative Medicine Homeopathy Most widely used in the United States. Used by a variety of practitioners including physicians, nurse practitioners, dentists, naturopathic doctors, chiropractors, and veterinarians. Is 200 years old.

Alternative Medicine Homeopathy (continued) Developed by Samuel Hahnemann, who believed that tiny doses of a substance (drug) that evoked disease-like symptoms could in some way stimulate the body’s natural defenses and promote healing. Homeopathic physicians are trained to attend to the patient’s mental, physical, and emotional states, that is, to treat the patient holistically.

Alternative Medicine Homeopathy (continued) Based on four principles: Substances that produce the same symptoms that the disease does will cure the disease. Substances are tested by giving them to healthy subjects and observing the symptoms. Very diluted doses are more potent than undiluted solutions. Vital forces must be released in the patient to reestablish body harmony, or homeostasis.

Alternative Medicine Homeopathy (continued) Reemerged in the U.S. in the 1970s after 50 years off the scene. Includes herbs, spices, foods, fragrances; extracts from mushrooms and lichens; minerals; venom from insects, spiders, and crustaceans; hormone extracts; and material taken from diseased tissues.

Alternative Medicine Chiropractic Founded by Daniel David Palmer, who concluded that virtually all diseases are caused by subluxed (misaligned) vertebrae. Spine consists of 24 vertebrae that should flex and move freely. Subluxation: a vertebra partly displaced from its correct position.

Alternative Medicine Chiropractic (continued) Chiropractors are trained to diagnose subluxations and fixations of the spine by studying a person’s posture, touching the spine, and studying x-rays. Chiropractors realign the vertebrae so that normal nervous system functions are restored. Treatments are more effective and cheaper than conventional medicine in treating low back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders.

Alternative Medicine

Alternative Medicine Osteopathy Osteopathy is similar to chiropractic in that treatment is performed by manipulation of the spine and other structural parts of the body. Osteopathic physicians undergo training as rigorous as physicians. Practitioners of osteopathy generally can prescribe medicine and perform surgery.

Alternative Medicine Acupuncture According to Chinese philosophy, disease results from disruption of the harmonious balance of vital energy, called qi (chi), in the human body. Usually, needles are inserted at a number of different acupuncture points that lie along the meridians, which are invisible channels of energy that traverse the body.

Acupuncture

Alternative Medicine Acupuncture (continued) In 1997, an NIH scientific panel concluded that acupuncture is effective in relieving postoperative dental pain and in controlling nausea caused by surgery, chemotherapy, or pregnancy. How acupuncture works is unclear.

Alternative Medicine Herbal Medicine Herbs in various forms have been used as medicines for thousands of years. Herbal medicines consist of materials derived from plants and can be prepared in the form of pills, teas, extracts, tinctures, salves, and other forms. Herbal medicines possess the same potential for healing and the same potential for side effects and harm as prescription drugs do.

Alternative Medicine

Alternative Medicine Herbal Medicine (continued) St. John’s Wort Can be effective in reducing depression. Reduces the effectiveness of many prescription drugs, including birth control, other antidepressants, AIDS drugs, and anticoagulants. Kava Kava Used as a relaxant or for stress reduction. Can cause liver damage and possibly death when extracts from the bark and root are used.

Alternative Medicine Herbal Medicine (continued) Ephedra (ma huang) Added to dietary supplements as a stimulant to help people lose weight; used by athletes to enhance performance. Raises blood pressure and heart rate and causes psychiatric symptoms and GI problems. Can cause heart palpitations. Banned in 2004, overturned in 2005. Synephrine, or bitter orange; similar to ephedra.

Alternative Medicine Herbal Medicine (continued) Herbal remedies may also cause: Allergic reactions in some individuals Drug interactions Mutagenic effects

Alternative Medicine

Alternative Medicine Naturopathy Comprises a potpourri of healing strategies: Nutrition therapy Hydrotherapy Color therapy Herbalism Acupuncture Massage

Alternative Medicine Naturopathy (continued) Eight basic principles of naturopathy are: A human body can heal itself. Treat underlying causes of illness. Educate patients. “Do no harm.” Focus mainly on prevention of illness. Good nutrition is essential. Treatment involves the whole person. Ultimate goal is optimal health. Naturopathic doctors receive training that is as complete as medical school.

Alternative Medicine Therapeutic Massage Hands-on therapy in which touch is used to heal. Most immediate effect is improved blood circulation. In most states, massage therapists are required to pass a licensing exam.

Alternative Medicine Therapeutic Massage (continued) Types Swedish massage uses long strokes, kneading of muscles, and friction techniques on the outer layers of the body and active and passive movements of joints. Shiatsu and acupressure massage use pressure on specific points of the body to treat pain and improve body functions.

Alternative Medicine Therapeutic Massage (continued) Types Lomi lomi massage is an ancient Hawaiian healing art that is a form of spiritual massage used to restore mind-body harmony. Rolfing realigns the body through deep massage of underlying myofacial tissues; AKA structural integration.

Alternative Medicine Therapeutic Massage (continued) Types Rosen massage uses gentle touch and verbal communication to relieve suppressed emotions locked into musculature from past traumatic incidents. Trigger point massage uses finger pressure on “trigger points” in painful or inflamed areas of muscle to break the cycles of spasm and pain.

Alternative Medicine Aromatherapy Essential oils of plants are administered so that chemicals contained in the oils are absorbed into the body and act as drugs.

Alternative Medicine Aromatherapy (continued) Most popular aromatherapy oil extracts are: Leaves of eucalyptus and peppermint Fruits and blossoms of oranges and lemons Flowers of lavender and roses Woods such as camphor and sandalwood Cinnamon bark, lemongrass, fennel, and rosemary Dried spices, e.g., cloves and garlic

Alternative Medicine Biomagnetic Therapy Biomagnetic therapy: the use of static magnetic fields by using electrical currents to treat pain, inflammation, stress, or fractures. Has not been substantiated by scientific studies.

Alternative Medicine Quackery Quackery: the sale of useless potions or devices that promise to heal ailments. The most prevalent products listed as fraud are: Fraudulent arthritis products Fake cancer clinics Bogus AIDS cures Instant weight-loss schemes

Choosing an Alternative Medicine Many people are satisfied with the medical care they receive, but some wish to explore alternative medicines. It is often wise to begin with the least invasive form of treatment before undergoing surgery or taking drugs.

Exploring Alternative Medicine What are some forms of alternative medicine that you have tried? Did they work? Do you think that the FDA should have more control over supplements? Why or why not?