Complementary and Alternative Medicine

(CAM) Part 1 & 2

Christine Foster, MA, LLPC, NCC

Mind Clearing

Healthcare in the US

The dominant healthcare system in the US can be referred by any of the following:

Western MedicineConventional MedicineBiomedicineAllopathic Medicine

Conventional Medicine• Refers to the dominant health care

system in the United States, Canada, and much of Europe

• Health is restored when the medical practitioner treats the illness with either drugs, vaccine, or surgery

• Practitioners include:• M.D. or D.O. (medical degrees)• Other providers such as dentists,

optometrists, podiatrists, nurses, physical therapists, dietitians, midwives, medical assistants, etc.

Characteristics of Conventional Medicine

Pathology-focusedIllness typically defined by over symptomology

Illness is treated following infectionPrevention exists but secondary

Tx: pharmaceuticals, surgeryNon-individualistic

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)• Complementary medicine: Group of

practices used together with conventional medicine

• Alternative medicine: Group of practices used as an alternative to conventional medicine

• Integrative medicine: Use of conventional medicine in combination with CAM practices that have been proven safe and effective

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Complementary therapies are used in conjunction with conventional or mainstream medical modalities.Alternative therapies are used instead of conventional or mainstream medical modalities.

Historic Foundation

Ancient Greece–baths, massage, laughter, herbal therapyFar East–energetic touch, acupunctureIndia–Ayurvedic medicineShamanistic practices–folk healing that involves entering altered states of consciousness

Current Trends

Mind/body medicine and researchThe use of holism as part of complete medical treatment plan

Characteristics of CAM

• The body is believed to have an inherent balance or ability to heal itself

• The whole person is treated (physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual)

• Each person is unique, so treatment is individualized

• Many practices use a complex combination of interventions, often involving many medications at the same time along with recommended behaviors

Classification and Use of CAM Practices• There are five domains identified as

parts of CAM:• Mind-body practices• Biologically-based therapies• Manipulative and body-based therapies• Energy therapies• Whole medical systems

• Employ practices from some or all of the other domains

• People report using CAM for a variety of reasons:

• Seeking to improve health and well-being• Relieve symptoms of a chronic disease or

illness• Seeking a more holistic approach to

health• Most often used in the treatment of back

pain

Mind/Body Interventions

Methods by which an individual can consciously control some sympathetic nervous system functions.Self-regulatory techniques include meditation, relaxation, imagery, biofeedback, and hypnosis and spiritual therapies.

Mind-Body Practices• Mind-body practices are based on the premise that

the mind influences the body in ways that can promote or detract from well-being. Such popular practices include:

• Deep breathing• Prayer• Meditation• Progressive relaxation• Visualization• Yoga• Biofeedback• Hypnosis• T’ai Chi

• Risks appear minimal as an adjunct to conventional medicine and is considered inexpensive and easy to learn

Meditation

Quieting of the mind by focusing attention on sound or image or own breathing.Health benefits include decreased respiration, heart rate, and oxygen consumption, improved mood, spiritual calm, and heightened awareness.

Relaxation

Involves progressive muscle relaxation.Progressive relaxation is the alternate tensing and relaxing of muscles.Clinicians can use relaxation techniques to reduce pain and stress in clients.

Imagery

Using the imagination to visualize a pleasant, soothing image.Clinicians can use guided imagery with clients capable of hearing and understanding the clinician’s suggestions.Decreases physical tension, anxiety, adverse effects of chemotherapy.

Hypnosis

Induces an altered state of consciousness or awareness resembling sleep and during which the person is more receptive to suggestion.

Hypnosis for smoking

Biofeedback

Measures physiological responses like muscle tension, skin temperature, and heart rate to improve health by using signals from client’s own body.Effective for a number of conditions, including headaches, urinary incontinence, hypertension, chronic pain, ADHD, anxiety and many others.

Neurofeedback

Measures the brainwavesTraining to help alter the way the brain waves workHelps to decrease stress, behavioral issues, ADHD, migraines, insomnia, and many other issues

Spiritual Therapies

Faith healing–usually accomplished through prayer. The healer is a channel for divine power.Healing prayer–when praying, people believe they are communicating directly with God or a Higher Power. Prayer can affect well-being.

Manipulative and Body-Based Practices• Manipulative and body-based practices focus

on the body’s structures and systems, such as bones, joints, muscles, soft tissues, and circulatory system

• These practices include the following:• Osteopathic medicine: Considered a form of

conventional medicine

• Chiropractic medicine: Belief that illnesses are the result of subluxation of the spine

• Massage therapy and bodywork: Pressure aimed at increasing blood flow and inducing relaxation

Movement/Exercise

Associated with athletic exercise, dance, celebration, and healing rituals.The primary goal of exercise is fitness.Other positive outcomes include sleeping better and having more energy.

Yoga/Yoga Therapy

Means “union” in Sanskrit.Integrates mental, physical, and spiritual energies to promote health and wellness.Breathing, posture, and movement.Promotes relaxation, develops proprioception, awareness of movement, weight distribution, and position.

Different Branches of Yoga

There are six different branches of yoga. These include:

1.) Hatha Yoga or Yoga of PosturesHatha Yoga is perhaps the path of Yoga you are most familiar with since this is the most popular branch of Yoga in the West. This branch of Yoga uses physical poses or Asana, Breathing Techniques or Pranayama, and Meditation to achieve better health, as well as spirituality. There are many styles within this path - Iyengar, Integral, Astanga, Kripalu, and Jiva Mukti to name a few. 

Different Branches (continued)2.) Bhatki Yoga or Yoga of Devotion

Bhakti Yoga is the path most followed in India. This is the path of the heart and devotion. Yogis who practice this branch sees the "One" or the Divine in everyone and everything. Bhakti Yoga teaches a person to have devotion to the "One" or to Brahma by developing a person's love and acceptance for all things.

3.) Raja Yoga or Yoga of Self-ControlRaja means "royal". This path is considered to be the King of Yoga and this may be due to the fact that most of its practitioners are members of religious and spiritual orders. Raja Yoga is based on the teachings of the Eight Limbs of Yoga found in the Yoga sutras.

Different Branches (continued)4.) Jnana Yoga or Yoga of the MindJnana Yoga is the path of Yoga that basically deals with the mind, and as such, it focuses on man's intelligence. Jnana Yogis consider wisdom and intellect as important and they aim to unify the two to surpass limitations. Since they wish to gain knowledge, they are open to other philosophies and religion for they believe that an open and rational mind is crucial in knowing the spirit.

5.) Karma Yoga or Yoga of ServiceKarma Yoga is the path of service for in this path, it is believed that your present situation is based on your past actions. So by doing selfless service now, you are choosing a future that is free from negativity and selfishness. Karma Yogis change their attitude towards the good and in the process, change their souls, which leads to a change in their destiny.

Different Branches (continued)

6.) Tantra Yoga or Yoga of RitualsPerhaps the most misunderstood of all the paths, Tantra Yoga is about using rituals to experience what is sacred. Although sex is a part of it, sex is not the whole of it since this path aims to find what is sacred in everything we do. Tantra Yogis must possess certain qualities like purity, humility, devotion, dedication to his Guru, cosmic love, and truthfulness among other things. 

The ultimate goal of yoga is cessation of the fluctuations of the mind. This one Sutra holds the key and the goal to all yoga practice. The entire science of yoga is based on this one Sutra: 'If you can control the fluctuations of the mind you will experience Yoga'.

 

Tai Chi

Looking for harmony with nature and the universe through complementary (yin and yang) balance.A series of slow, continuously flowing movements.Improves flexibility, range of motion, muscle strength, and balance.

Origins of Tai Chi

Martial Art and Longevity exercise Foundation comes from Taoism and ConfucianismPromoted by Chinese Government Chang San-Feng(Creator)-1279 to 1368 Endless flow

Chiropractic Therapy

Based on the principle that the brain sends vital energy to every organ in the body via the nerves originating in the spinal column.The body is rebalanced and realigned using “spinal adjustment” techniques.Licensed in all 50 states.

Therapeutic Massage

The application of hand pressure and motion to improve the recipient’s well-being.A back rub or massage results in relaxation, increased circulation of the blood and lymph, and relief from musculoskeletal stiffness, spasm, pain.

Touch

The means of perceiving or experiencing through tactile sensation.The meaning of touch and the body areas acceptable to touch vary from culture to culture.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is the process of inserting fine needles into a person at specific acu-point along a meridian.At least 15 acupuncture needles can fit into one hypodermic needle.There are 14 meridians that the qi travels on throughout the body, running head to foot.Acupuncture Demo

Acupuncture (continued)Acupuncture is being more widely accepted in the United States as a complementary practice to be conjoined with routine care.The categories of diagnosis are:

Hot vs. ColdInternal vs. ExternalYin vs. YangDeficit vs. Excess

Moxibustion

Acupressure

Based on Chinese theory stating that the body is divided into meridian channels through which qi, or energy, flows.Acupressure releases blocked energy when specific points (Tsubas) are pressed with the fingers, thumbs, and hands.

Reflexology

Art and science of enervating over 7,000 nerves in the feet believed to correspond to every muscle system and organ in the body.Promotes health by relieving pressures and accumulation of toxins in the corresponding body part.

Shiatsu

Shiatsu utilizes the forearm, elbow, knee, and foot to activate the points.Both acupressure and Shiatsu relieve tension.Contraindications include venous stasis, phlebitis, and traumatic and deep tissue injuries.

CuppingForm of alternative medicine where cups are placed on the body to create suction.Commonly combined with acupunctureTypes:

WetDryMassage/GlidingCupping Demo

What are the Effects of Cupping?

Bring deep toxins to the surface of the skin (Removal by Wet Cupping)Realigns the flow of qiBreaks up obstructionsRelieves painExpands blood vesselsOpens Pores

Tools Used for Cupping

Custom CupsGlassBambooEarthenware (pottery)Medical-grade silicone(recyclable and only with pump)Metal

Herbs, Alcohol, or Paper set on firePump when fire is not used for suction.

Energy Therapies

• Energy therapies are typically considered the most controversial CAM practices

• Underlying idea is that humans are infused with energy and that this energy can be modified to influence health

• Some examples include:• Magnetic-field therapies: Use of magnets

to increase energy flow• Qigong: Channeled breathing with

movement• Therapeutic touch and reiki: Healing touch

concept

Energy Therapies

Use of the hands to direct or redirect the flow of the body’s energy fields and enhance balance within those fields.Includes touch, therapeutic massage, therapeutic touch, healing touch, acupressure, and reflexology.Reiki Demo

Healing Touch

An energy therapy using hands to clear, energize, and balance the energy field. The practitioner re-aligns the energy flow, which reactivates the mind/body/spirit connection to eliminate blockages to self-healing.

Therapeutic Touch

Based on the ancient practice of the laying on of hands and using the hands to direct energy to achieve a balanced state.

Biologically-Based Practices• Biologically-based practices include the

use of the following:• Dietary supplements• Herbal remedies or botanicals

• Therapeutic food plans involve reduction or removal of certain types of foods for a set time period

• Dietary alterations are usually used as an adjunct or complement to other forms of therapy

Phytochemicals

Nonnutritive, physiologically active compounds present in plants in very small amounts.Protect against cancer and prevent heart disease, stroke, and cataracts.Consumption of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables provides best supply.

Antioxidants

Substances that prevent or inhibit oxidation.Prevent tissue damage from free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage cells and trigger cancer growth.May prevent heart disease, cancer, cataracts.

Herbs/Herbal Remedies

Used for centuries in care of the sick.Some herbs, when used with prescribed medications, can cause potentially harmful herb-drug interactions.During assessment, ask specifically about use of herbal and vitamin supplements.

Probiotics

Microorganisms that are ingested in order to improve healthBelieved some illnesses/diseases are caused as a result of an imbalanceCan be found in many forms:

FoodTabletsPowders

Aromatherapy

Therapeutic use of concentrated essences or essential oils extracted from plants and flowers.Aromas cause physiological, psychological, pharmacological reactions.These oils should be used intelligently and with caution.

Homeopathy• Developed by German chemist and physician

Samuel Hahnemann and includes the law of similars and the principle of minimal dose

• Substance that causes disease in a healthy person can cure the same symptoms in a sick person

• Remedies intended to encourage the body to heal itself; smallest possible dose will have greatest effect

• Every patient is unique

• Appears to be no significant risk associated with homeopathy except possible delay of diagnosis and other treatments

Naturopathy• Main principle is that the body has the ability to

heal itself, especially through nutrition

• Focus is on cleansing and strengthening the body rather than on treating the symptoms of a specific illness

• Treatments include dietary modification, nutritional supplementation, herbal remedies, hydrotherapy, massage, homeopathy, acupuncture, biofeedback, stress reduction techniques, and lifestyle counseling

• Only limited data for evaluating naturopathy as a complete system are available

Whole Medical Systems

“Umbrella” term for a collection of practices used for therapeutic benefit

Examples:Ayurvedic medicineTCMNative American healing

Ayurveda• One of the oldest healing systems in the world

– Has been practiced in India for 5,000 years– Emphasizes balance among the body, mind, and

spirit and sets a goal of restoring harmony to the individual

• Three energy sources known as doshas are believed to exist in everyone:

• Vatta: Energy of movement, consists of space and air

• Pitta: Energy of metabolism and digestion, consists of fire and water

• Kapha: Energy that forms body structure and holds cells together, consists of earth and water

• When your three doshas are in balance, you are considered in good health

Traditional Chinese Medicine• A well-developed medical system that

has been in existence for nearly 3,000 years

• Focuses on maintaining or restoring the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of the individual

• Illness occurs when your qi (chi) or energy force is disturbed or imbalanced (yin-yang principle)

• Diagnosis involves evaluating an individual for signs of imbalance

• Treatment methods include:• Herbal medicine, acupuncture,

acupressure, and dietary modification

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Based on Qi (energy flow in and out of body)

Meridian Mapping

Use of tongue and pulses

Herbology, Acupuncture, Acupressure, and Diet

Native American Medicine• Healing and spirituality merge

• Physical well-being associated with spiritual balance and illness associated with imbalance

• Healers, sometimes called shamans or medicine men or women, are considered to have spiritual powers or ties to the supernatural

• The ability to heal is seen as a gift and often passed down through several generations of a family

• Healers learn the medicinal uses of roots, herbs, and other plants

• Remedies may include prayer, healing touch, herbal teas, tinctures, charms, and healing rituals

OTHER METHODOLOGIES

HumorAnimal-assisted therapyMusic therapyPlay therapyNeuro-Emotional Technique

Humor

Determine the client’s perception of what is humorous.Can relieve anxiety, improve respiratory function, promote relaxation, enhance immunological function, and decrease pain by stimulating endorphin production.

Animal-Assisted Therapy

Has many applications including overcoming physical limitations, improving mood, lowering blood pressure, and improving socialization skills and self-esteem.

Music Therapy

Pleasurable sound and music can reduce stress, perception of pain, anxiety, and feelings isolation.

Play Therapy

Especially useful with children.Constitutes a method for children to communicate their needs and feelings to care providers.

Neuro-Emotional Technique

Based out of chiropractic careUtilizes meridians from TCMAimed at uncovering and “clearing” unconscious, blocked emotionsEmotional realityEmotional attachmentNET Website

Stress Relief Technique

Making Informed Healthcare Choices

• Conventional medicine, CAM, and self-care are three intersecting areas of healthcare

• Consumers need to do the following:

• Consult with their conventional care physician

• Research the therapy and provider• Use their critical thinking skills in

evaluating the safety issues• Check the overall cost of treatment• Consider the overall effectiveness

towards their main goal

Sectors of Health Care