Alternative Approaches

Complimentary and Alternative medicine (CAM) Alternative to conventional medicine Approach  Holistic  Considers psychological and physical factors

Types of alternative medicine Naturopathy Chiropractic Acupuncture Guided imagery Yoga Tai Chi Hypnosis Biofeedback

Naturopathy Nature has the power to heal Focuses on: Vitamins, Herbs, Exercise, Hydrotherapy, Yoga, Meditation  “Natural” items, as opposed to drugs

Alternate practices

Chiropractic Covered by insurance Useful for back and neck pain My Dad’s experience My hip experience

Mind-body medicine

Transcendental Meditation My experience at U.W. medical school Focus attention and breathing Repeating sound or phrase - “Om”  Prevents distracting thoughts

Guided imagery Calm, peaceful image  Ocean  Mountain lake Imaging diverts attention from painful (or anxiety producing) experience

Yoga Designed to:  Balance the Mind, Body and Spirit  Concentrate energy in the body (postures)  Concentrate relaxation attention ( controlled breathing)

Tai chi Moderate intensity, low impact, aerobic exercise People I saw in China

Biofeedback Uses immediate biological information  Controls muscle tension  Heart rate Electromyograph (EMG)  Muscle tension  Low back pain and headaches

Hypnoses Most used by health psychologists to control acute (not chronic) pain Other uses  Smoking  Weight loss Hypnotic trance, VS relaxation, expectancy and suggestion to reduce pain

Acupuncture Produces biochemical changes in the brain consistent with pain relief. Useful for low back pain (similar effect to anti-inflammatory drugs.

Effectiveness of alternative treatments Treatments are considered “alternative” because:  Insufficient evidence exists for their effectiveness using randomized, double blind placebo controlled studies Low back pain  Success with  Massage  Acupuncture  Chiropractic