Complementary and Alternative MedicineAN INFORMATIONAL OVERVIEW: WEEK 1

Introduction

Hi! My name is Marlyn and I’ll be your instructor for the next 3 weeks. The purpose behind this course is to help you get an idea about some of the different CAM modalities and, for some of you at least, to give you an idea if you want to delve deeper into this fascinating realm. I assure you we will not be able to discuss everything because there are so many therapies that apply but we will certainly be able to get you enough information to make an informed decision as to whether or not you want to pursue a more in depth course. I hope you enjoy the next three weeks!

What is CAM?

• ALLOPATHIC/CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE

• ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

• INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE

The Concepts of Wellness and Disease

What is wellness?

The absence of illness or pain?

The presence of health?

What does the term wellness mean to your?

Disease…is it the absence of wellness?

The presence of illness?

How do you define disease?

Let’s talk about CAM… Exercise

Meditation

Hypnosis

Biofeedback

Guided Imagery

Energy Therapy

Mind/Body Therapies

So What are the Mind-Body Modalities?

Exercise

• Can be an excellent way to manage stress and relax

• Can decrease anxiety, depression.

• Improves self image

Meditation• The stilling of the mind to redirect

focus.

• The process of calming and releasing he distractions from the mind for the purpose of opening up and awakening our true inner nature.

• Trancendental Meditation

• Mindfulness Meditation

Hypnosis

• Derived from the Greek word hypnos meaning sleep.

• Has 3 major components

• Absorption

• Dissociation

• Responsiveness

Mind-Body Modalities (Continued)

Biofeedback• Used to help lower body tension

• Uses special instruments and methods to expand the body’s natural internal feedback systems

• 5 types of therapy

• Electromyographic

• Thermal

• Electrodermal Activity

• Finger Pulse

• Breathing

Guided Imagery• Used in therapy to encourage

changes in attitudes, behaviors or physiological reactions.

• Helps to communicate with the deeper than conscious aspects of the mind

• Taught individually or in groups

• Utilized in psychotherapy, hypnosis, biofeedback

Energy Therapy• Qigong, Reiki, Therapeutic

Touch

• Thought to involve interactions between the energy field of the patient and the energy field of the healer

• Designed to balance the energy field of the patient rather than healing specific ailments

Week 1 Wrap Up

Remember that Mind-Body therapies are an excellent way to manage stress which in turn will help you to maintain a higher level of wellness.

There are a number of meditations that you can pull up online if you would like to try them out this week.

For more information you can check out the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at http://nccam.nih.gov/

Please spend a little time this week researching CAM a little bit and write down any questions or any modalities that really spark your interest.

Complementary and Alternative MedicineAN INFORMATIONAL OVERVIEW: WEEK 2

Let’s Talk About CAM…

Chiropractic

Osteopathy

Massage

Manual/Manipulative Therapies

Chiropractic

Founded by Daniel David Palmer in 1885

One cause one cure theory

Vertebral subluxations cause nearly all disease

Adjustment of the subluxations cures said diseases

The majority of patients seek chiropractic care for neck pain, back pain and headaches; spinal manipulation is most effective in these cases but a fair number of people also see a chiropractor for the health benefits that are seen when subluxations are corrected.

Osteopathy

The human is a trinity; mind, body and spirit

Osteopathy centers on the body’s ability to heal itself.

Modern osteopathy employs both classical philosophies as well as scientific medical philosophies.

Considered a philosophy rather than a system of techniques

Treatment goals are tissue relaxation, increased physiological motion, decreased pain and homeostasis

Massage Therapy

Massage pre dates written history

Based on the idea that the muscles function optimally when the flow of fluids (arterial, venous, lymphatic) is unimpeded.

5 basic techniques

Effleurage

Petrissage

Friction

Taptement

Vibration

Alternative Western Therapies

Naturopathic Medicine

Western Herbalism

Aromatherapy

Homeopathy

Nutrition and Hydration

“

”

The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patient in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.

THOMAS EDISON

A prediction that rings true today; natural medicine has exploded in popularity even in mainstream healthcare (Micozzi, 2011). Consumers now spend more money out of pocket for alternative medicine than they do for conventional care (Micozzi, 2011).

Week 2 Wrap Up

We’ve covered a lot of information. Please take time this week to look up some of the therapies we discussed.

If you do not see a chiropractor or massage therapist (or both) please take the time to chat with a friend who does. You may find yourself calling for an appointment, who knows.

Check out aromatherapy, it’s pretty amazing how a scent can help elicit a feeling of well-being.

Again, utilize the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at http://nccam.nih.gov/ to learn about more natural therapies

See you all next week for our last class!!

Complementary and Alterative MedicineAN INFORMATIONAL OVERVIEW: WEEK 3

Let’s Talk about Cam…

TRADITIONAL ETHNOMEDICAL THERAPIES

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Has an ancient mythological component

Concepts of Yin and Yang

The five phases

Three treasures; Qi, essence and spirit

Three causes of disease

“

”

Out of Tao, One is born; Out of One, Two; Out of Two, Three; Out of Three, the created universe.The created universe carries the yin at its back and the yang in front;Through the union of the pervading principles it reaches harmony.

LAO ZI

Origins of Yin and Yang

The three causes of disease (San Yin)

External causes, or “the six evils”: Wind, cold, fire, dampness, summer heat, and dryness (Micozzi, 2011).

Internal causes, or internal damage by the “seven affects”: joy, anger, anxiety, thought, sorrow, fear and fright (Micozzi, 2011).

Non-external, non-internal causes: Dietary irregularities, excessive sexual activity, taxation fatigue, trauma, and parasites (Micozzi, 2011).

Acupuncture

Acupuncture literal translates as sharp puncture(Ergil & Ergil, 2011). This therapy entails inserting needles into the skin; the sharp needle is the yang and the body is yin(Ergil & Ergil, 2011).

Qi Gong

“QIGONG IS THE PHONETIC JUXTAPOSITION OF THE CHINESE CHARACTERS FOR QI, MEANING VITAL ENERGY AND GONG, MEANING PERSEVERANT PRACTICE” (AI, 2011)

Course Wrap Up

If you are hooked on CAM you can explore your options to further your education in this fascinating field.

Keep in mind that while the internet is a great resource it is also full of information that may not be quite accurate; have a care what types of sites you get information from.

Don’t forget the website I’ve given out the past 2 weeks http://nccam.nih.gov/ Being one of he best resources for information on CAM.

Remember, we only touched on a few therapies. There are many more out there. I hope you enjoyed this course.

References

Ai, A. L. (2011). Qi Gong. In M. S. Macozzi, Fundamentals of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (pp. 438-454). St. Louis: Saunders Elsevier.

Ergil, K. V., & Ergil, M. C. (2011). Acupuncture. In M. S. Macozzi, Funamentals of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (pp. 403-437). St. Louis: Saunders Elsevier.

Micozzi, M. S. (2011). Fundamentals of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. St. Louis: Saunders Elsevier.