FQ3 COMPLIMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE HEALTH- CARE APPROACHES

 Refers to healing practices that do not fall within the area of conventional medicine.  EXAMPLES  Hypnosis  Homeopathy  Naturopathy  Meditation  Herbalism  Accupuncture  TREND: increasing acceptance and rise in alternative medicine supporting mainstream techniques. This is termed complimentary COMPLIMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE (CAM)

 Existed for centuries in Asian countries  Traditional Chinese medicines account for 30-50% of medicines consumed in china  Increased use in westernised countries  Herbal medicines are a popular alternative to modern medicine.  Australians spend over $4 billion on alternative medicine each year  Practitioners strting to recognise value of alternative and complimentary health-care approaches  WHO recognises and supports shift to complimentary styles of medicine  Australians continue to buy and use alternative health-care. OVERVIEW

TypesExamples Biologically based approachesDiets Herbs Vitamins Manipulative and body-based therapiesMassage Chiropractic Osteopathy Mind-body interventionsYoga Spirituality Relaxation Alternative medical systemsHomeopathy Naturopathy Ayurveda Energy therapiesReiki Magnets Qigong

REASONS FOR GROWTH OF COMPLIMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE HEALTH PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

 2/3 of Australians are currently using CAM treatments  RESULT = Social change  Greater globalisation  Trend toward individualism means improved access to information  Less acceptance of traditional medical practices  It is a way to exercise control over health and empowerment. (e.g. rise in consumption of organic food) REASONS FOR CAM

 World Health Organization recognition of the usefulness of many alternative  Recognition that alternative medicines are the traditional medicines of the majority of the world’s population  The effectiveness of treatment  The desire of many people to have natural or herbal medicines  The holistic nature of alternative medicine,  The strength of traditional beliefs for many cultures  Increased migration and increased acceptance SEE TABLE IN HANDOUTS OTHER REASONS FOR CAM

RANGE OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AVAILABLE

Product/ServiceExplanation Acupuncture Aromatherapy The Bowen Therapeutic Technique Chiropractic Herbalism Homeopathy Iridology Massage Meditation Naturopaty

HOW TO MAKE INFORMED CONSUMER CHOICES

 When choosing it is important to investigate the service offered and the credibility of the practitioner.  A client needs to ask the following questions.  What is the treatment you offer? How can it benefit me?  What experience and training do you have?  What are your qualifications?  How much will thetreatment cost?  Can this treatment be combined with conventional medication? CRITICAL CONSUMPTION

 To be critical is to be informed.  Effectiveness and credibility is important  Asking friends and community members about their experiences and recommendations can also be valuable.  Some alternative medicines have proved so effective as to be recognised by WHO.  Some are university courses (chiropractic, naturopathy and accupuncture)  Other forms provide courses to ensure quality of treatment (Bowen Therapy and Massage Therapy)

PLUSMINUSINTERESTING MAKING INFORMED CHOICES In pairs create a PMI chart as follows to summarise that advantages and any drawbacks of alternative medicine.