1. Healing, Humor, and Alternative Medicine

2. Dr. Patch Adams

3. The Mind-Body Connection As explained by Dr. Patch Adams “We have come to understand that stresses (physical, mental, and spiritual) have an effect on the body…. The body is made up of many systems and what happens to one or more affects all the rest in some way.”

5. What Does Humor Do?? Dr. William Fry conducted research in the 1950’s. He states: “Laughter associated with humor – has an effect on most of the major…systems of the body.”

6. The Immune System Research by Dillon and Lefcourt showed Laughter increased salivary antibodies– providing increased protection against airborne germs entering through our mouth.

7. The Immune System Burk & Tan of Loma Linda University in California found that: Laughter reduces cortisol levels that suppress the immune system – thereby boosting our ability to fight infection!

8. The Cardiovascular System Dr. William Fry from the 1950’s also showed that heart rate, respiratory rate and systolic blood pressure rise during laughter and afterwards return to lower levels than before the laughter. He also claimed that laughing 100 times/day was equal to the physical workout of 10 minutes of rowing!!. Other research has shown that exercise of the diaphragm increases blood oxygen levels.

9. Pain Increases the release of endorphins – the body’s natural painkillers. Norman Cousins in Anatomy of an Illness (1979) wrote that 10 minutes of belly laughter would allow him 2 hours of pain- free sleep. He suffered from the painful, crippling disease- ankylosing spondylitis.

10. Depression Lefcourt (1986, 1990) also noted that the ability to sense and appreciate humor can buffer the mood disturbances that happen in response to negative life event. What does that mean??? Helps STOP DEPRESSION!!

11. Dealing With Illness Cousins, 1979 research found adult arthritis and cancer patients with high degrees of pain were found: To be better able to tolerate pain and painful procedures To have an increased sense of well-being and a generally improved outlook when exposed to regular doses of humor!!

12. How to Use Humor Use it as a therapeutic tool in the health care environment Use it in your personal life to help cope, relieve stress and tension and reach out to others

13. Healing Humor A form of humor that takes the usual of everyday and finds the unusual in it that makes it funny. It is a way to convey caring, understanding and compassion.

14. Healing Humor It is being incorporated into many health care institutions through everything from “humor carts” to “clown care programs” Some have humor rooms available 24 hours a day stocked with books, comics, tapes/DVD’s or have closed circuit TV channels broadcasting comedy to pt. rooms

15. How to Use Healing Humor Three Factors to Consider: Content Timing Relationship

16. Content Avoid Harmful or Sick Humor – an insensitive, malicious and sarcastic form of humor that ridicules, belittles, and offends others. Also make sure humor is not tasteless and that it takes into account cultural differences. Make sure humor is age appropriate for most benefit.

18. Timing and Relationship Consider the intensity of the moment and whether humor would be considered offensive. Consider whether a serious situation should be explored first. Consider your relationship to patient/person – using humor too soon can be seen as insensitive, therapeutic contact must be established first.

20. Gallows Humor Style of humor unique to some professions that deal directly with gruesome and stressful realities of pain, suffering and death. Often seen in healthcare, police and fire fighters, social workers, etc. Used to release and cope with intense stress of job. Often not understood and viewed as inappropriate by those not in profession.

22. Lessons from Patch Adams Never take yourself too seriously – be able to laugh at yourself. Make people your priority – being a “people person” is not just for health care workers – it should be for everyone! Be willing to “look beyond” the problem to a solution. It often takes a person who is willing to think outside the “system” to find solutions.

24. Alternative Therapy Defined as methods or treatments used in place or in conjunction with biomedical therapies (traditional or “Western” system of health care). May incorporate a “holistic approach” that deals with wellness & treatment of mind/body/spirit. Many states have passed laws governing various therapies to try to protect public health.

25. Alternative Practitioners Chinese medicine practitioners – use ancient holistic practice based on the belief that a life energy (Chi) flows through every living person in an invisible system of meridians (pathways) to the link the organs together with external universe. Use acupuncture, acupressure, herbal remedies to maintain/promote proper flow of energy.

26. Alternative Practitioners Naturopaths – use only natural therapies such as fasting, special diets, lifestyle-changes and supportive approaches to promote healing Avoid the use surgery or medicinal agents to treat disease.

27. Alternative Therapies Homeopaths-believe in the ability of the body to heal itself through the actions of the immune system. Use minute diluted doses of drugs made from plants, animals, and mineral substances to cause symptoms similar to the disease thus activating the immune system.

28. Remember!! As a health care worker – your patients have the right to choose treatments they believe best for them! A non-judgmental attitude is essential!