THERAPEUTIC TOUCH, MASSAGE, YOGA AND PET THERAPY

By:- firoz qureshiDept. psychiatric

nursing

INTRODUCTION:-Massage has been used throughout the ages as a healing practice to relax sore muscles, relieve tension, increase range of motion, and soothe the mind.  Massage will inspire you to slow down while it restores your body's natural harmony. massage is true hands-on healing that lowers blood pressure, promotes relaxation, and boosts the immune system.  Scientific studies indicate that massage therapy lowers the levels of the stress hormone Cortisol by as much as one-third and raises the levels of those happy hormones, Serotonin and Dopamine

DEFINITION:- According to Parachin (1991) one touch can

soothe, comfort and convey caring in a way words never can. He claims that modern psychology and medicine are confirming what people across the centuries have intuitively known, namely the healing power of touch.

INDICATIONS:- Massage therapy is increasingly being proposed

as an alternative or supplement to pharmacological and conventional treatments to counteract mental health conditions like-

Anxiety, Agitated behaviour, Depression, Dementia.

Massage therapy has also been used successfully for other conditions such as eating disorders

Migraine Non-migraine headaches Massage is claimed to reduce stress and anxiety,

insomnia and tension and aid relaxation, by a combination of mechanical, neural, chemical and psychological factors

PROCEDURE:- The therapist uses a light touch or holds his/her

hands above the body; the client is usually seated in a massage chair.

The therapist uses meditation to identify the energy field around a patient's body, and then to center and strengthen the connection to the patient's energy field using their hands.

The therapist does this by scanning the body from head to toe. Their hands are typically held in a horizontal position, side by side with their thumbs touching and their palms facing the patient in a butterfly-like shadow.

Again, there is no direct touch between healer and patient.

The practitioner will sense the blockages in the body in hot and cold sensations.

YOGA:- A system of beliefs and practices,the ultimate goal of which is to unite the human soul with the universal spirit. In western countries, yoga uses body postures, along with meditation and breathing exercises, to achieve a balanced disciplined workout that releases muscle tension, tones the internal organs and energizes the mind, body and spirit, so that natural healing can occur.

yoga uses combination of physical postures,(asanas), breathing techniques (pranayamas) and meditation to promote relaxation and enhance the flow of vital energy called prana. It is essential for a nurse to have baseline information and awareness of yoga which is purely indian in origin. The yoga system advocates identification of the soul (atman) with its final aim being union with the supreme being (paramatma).

EIGHT STEP:- self- control (yama), obtained by such devices as

chasity, non- stealing , non-violence, truthfulness and avoidance of greed.

Religious observance (niyama), through chanting of the vedic hymns, austerity, purity and contentment.

Assumption of certain positions (aasana)

Regulation of breath (parayama), with controlled rhythmic exhalation, inhalation and temporary suspension of breathing.

Restraint of the senses (pratyahara) Steadying of the mind (dharana), through fixation of

some part of the body, such as the nose and the navel. Meditation (dhyana), on the true object of knowledge,

the supreme spirit, to the exclusion of the other things in life.

Profound contemplation (Samadhi), with such complete absorption and detachment that there is insensitivity to heat and cold, pain and pleasure.

PET THERAPYIntroductionAnimal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a type of therapy that involves an animal with specific characteristics becoming a fundamental part of a person's treatment. Animal-assisted therapy is designed to improve the physical, social, emotional, and/or cognitive functioning of the patient, as well as provide educational and motivational effectiveness for participants. AAT can be provided on an individual or group basis. During AAT, therapists document records and evaluate the participant's progress.

Many kinds of animals are used in therapy, including dogs, cats, elephants, birds, dolphins, rabbits, lizards, and other small animals. Such animals are often referred to as comfort animals. AAT with horses is known specifically as equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP), equine-assisted creative living (EACL), equine-assisted personal development (EAPD) or hippo therapy.

BENEFITSPeople who have pets benefit in various ways, for example, the comfort of physical contact with animals, reducing loneliness, and increased opportunities for meeting others, via the pets. In addition, caring for pets encourages nurturance, responsibility, and adherence to a daily schedule.

PHYSICAL Improve fine motor skills. Improve wheelchair skills. Improve standing equilibrioception (balance). May lower blood pressure, risk for stroke or

heartattack, and decrease depression.

MENTAL A 2007 meta-analysis found that animal-assisted

therapy is associated with moderate effect sizes in improving outcomes in autism spectrum symptoms, medical difficulties, behavioral problems, and emotional well-being.

Increase verbal interactions among group members. Increase attention skills (i.e., paying attention,

staying on task). Develop leisure/recreation skills. Increase self-esteem. Reduce anxiety. Reduce loneliness.

EDUCATIONAL

Increase vocabulary. Aid in long- or short-term memory. Improve knowledge of concepts, such as size,

color, etc.

MOTIVATIONAL Improve willingness to be involved in a group

activity. Improve interactions with others. Improve interactions with staff.

CONCLUSION The National centre for complimentary

medicine (NCCAM) defines Complimentary and alternative medicine (CAM) as a group of diverse medical and health care systems, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine. Complementary therapies are those that used in conjunction with conventional medical practices. Alternative therapies are those that are used instead of conventional medicine.