Alternative & Complementary Therapies    Back to image results See full size image 640 x 480 - 165k - jpg - www.uc.edu/.../Massage%20therapy%20(1).jpg Image may be subject to copyright. Below is the image at: www.uc.edu/.../programming/massage/default.html Remove frame  Alternative & Complementary Therapies

Alternative Therapy Unconventional therapies are referred to as complementary therapies or alternative medicine (CAM) Frequently becomes the primary treatment modality that replaces allopathic medicine (shark cartilage, coffee enemas) 1/3-1/2 of US population uses one or more forms of CAM, more buy in from traditional medicine & insurance co

Complementary or Alternative Medicine Relaxation Techniques Exercise Massage Reflexology Biofeedback Hypnotherapy Creative Therapies(Acupuncture)

Biobehavioral Therapies Designed to teach individuals ways to change their behavior to alter physical responses to stress & improve symptoms such as muscle tension, GI discomforts, pain & sleep disturbances Individual becomes actively involved in treatment Must practice techniques daily, commitment to therapy

Biobehavioral Therapies Relaxation Imagery Biofeedback Hypnosis Meditation

Relaxation Therapy State of generalized decreased cognitive, physiological, & or behavioral arousal Elongates muscle fibers Decreased neural impulses to brain Decreased brain activity Decreased HR, RR, BP, O2 consumption

Clinical Application Relaxation Therapy Decrease HR, BP, metabolic rate Reduce muscle tension Improve feeling of well-being Reduce symptom distress Relaxation can be used alone or in combination with deep breathing, imagery, yoga, music Labor pain, post-op pain, chronic back pain, reduce cancer related nausea, improve immune function, decrease anxiety

Imagery Visualization techniques which uses conscious mind to create mental images to evoke physical changes in body Improves well-being, enhances awareness Can be combined with relaxation therapy

Clinical Application Imagery Visualize cancer pain cells being destroyed by immune system Control or relieve pain Achieve calmness, serenity Used in the treatment of asthma, high BP, functional urinary disorders, premenstrual-menstrual syndromes, GI disorders, rheumatoid arthritis

Biofeedback Assist individual in learning to control specific autonomic nervous system responses Uses electronic or electromechanical instruments to measure, process & provide information to persons about their neuromuscular & autonomic nervous system activity Provides a greater awareness & resulting voluntary control over their physiological responses of which they were otherwise unaware

Clinical Application Biofeedback Stroke patients-Muscle rehabilitation Raynauds disease Urinary Stress Incontinence

Manual Healing Therapies Energy systems in the body need to be balanced in an effort to enhance healing Ancient Chinese healing discipline

Therapeutic Touch Natural human potential that consists of placing the practitioner’s hands either on or close to the body of the person Practitioner scans the body to find areas of accumulated tension Redirects energies to bring person back into balance

Clinical Application Therapeutic Touch Decrease anxiety in heart attack patients Decrease headache pain Improve mood Alleviate pain in sprains, burns Reducing chemo-induced nausea

Traditional Chinese Medicine Herbs, acupuncture, diet, exercise, meditation Yin & Yang Qi- Vital energy of human Acupuncture-method of stimulating certain points on the body by insertion of special needles to modify the perception of pain, normalize physiological functions or treat/prevent disease

Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture needles unblock the obstruction of energy Re-establish the flow of Qi Stimulates the body’s self healing mechanism

Clinical Applications Chinese Medicine Low back pain Myofascial pain Headaches (Migraine) Sciatica Shoulder pain Osteoarthritis Whiplash Musculoskeletal sprains Asthma Clinical depression

Herbal Therapies FDA does not approve their use as drugs Sold as food or food supplements in health food stores No health claims can be made on label

Clinical Applications Herbal Therapies Chamomile- Antispasmodic (GI upset) Echinacea- stimulates immune system Feverfew- prevent migraines Garlic- lipid lowering agent Ginger- antiemetic Gingko- memory improvement Gingseng-increased physical endurance St. John’s Wort- mild depression Saw palmetto-enlarged prostate Ma huang- (Ephedra) CNS stimulant, bronchodilator