Alternative therapies are nontraditional medical practices that may be used alongside or in place of traditional treatments, such as herbal remedies, acupuncture or Reiki. Sometimes insurance will cover some alternative therapies.
Users of alternative medicine tend to be educated individuals with an holistic perspective toward health. Furthermore, they have likely undergone a transformative experience.
Physiological approach
A physiological approach to alternative therapies includes practices such as hypnosis, meditation and yoga that can be used to treat conditions like back pain, sprains and addiction issues. Furthermore, these practices often work well when used alongside traditional medicine – this practice is known as complementary or integrative medicine.
Alternative/integrative medicine strives to change the current medical model from its one-size-fits-all approach that treats all people similarly, into something that is tailored and patient centric. It aims to educate individuals about their own health and well-being as well as encourage them to take responsibility for their own care; its focus encompasses mind, body, acute illness as well as chronic ailments.
Some alternative therapy practitioners believe that advances in medical science have resulted in an impersonal approach to health care that overlooks lifestyle factors and the mind-body connection. As a result, there has been an upsurge in interest in alternative medicine; which advocates that traditional Western medical approaches should be supplemented with effective, evidence-based alternative therapies.
Complementary or alternative therapy can be divided into five broad categories, such as alternative medicine, holistic medicine, integrative medicine and herbal medicine. Other nonconventional treatments like Ayurveda may also fall within this umbrella term. Some people combine several practices at once such as taking medication while attending biofeedback sessions.
Research into alternative/integrative therapies is ongoing and many studies have compared their efficacy with that of conventional medicine. Some evidence shows that specific alternative therapies may assist with chronic diseases and conditions like arthritis and heart disease, while other research indicates they are ineffective for most patients.
Alternative therapy practitioners frequently boast of their methods’ scientific basis, however this does not indicate whether alternative therapies are safe to use. Therefore it is always wise to consult your healthcare provider prior to trying any alternative medication.
People who turn to alternative treatments typically report lower levels of satisfaction with conventional medicine and greater desire to exert personal control over health-related matters, which tends to influence this tendency among other demographic factors; those with higher education levels are more likely to turn to alternative therapies as part of an attempt at self-actualization; they’re also likely to belong to cultural groups that prioritize environmental protection, feminism, esoteric forms of spirituality or personal liberation as part of a shared cultural identity.
Combination of physiological and physical approach
CAM, or complementary and alternative medicine, refers to medical practices outside of mainstream health care that do not fall under its purview. These practices typically use natural remedies like herbs, supplements and massage; some techniques date back hundreds or even thousands of years while others are relatively modern therapies; research on them usually hasn’t been as exhaustive – though some therapies have proven their worth! Depending on each case’s circumstances they can even be combined with conventional medicine in order to offer patients optimal treatments.
Additionally, some complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners take a holistic approach that treats not just disease but also psychological, emotional and spiritual wellbeing in addition to physical symptoms. Such holistic treatment approaches may address psychological, emotional and spiritual concerns alongside physical ailments; such treatments can help people feel better about their own health as well as treatment, while giving them control of their lives; many find CAMs an invaluable supplement in health care provision.
Some complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners believe it is possible to manipulate invisible energy fields around the body to affect health and wellness, with imbalanced energies causing diseases. They treat illness by altering energy flows within the body through “energy healing,” placing hands over an affected area while using various techniques to restore balance.
Before engaging in alternative therapies, it is imperative that one consults a medical doctor. Some can be potentially harmful; interfering with conventional cancer treatment regimens and potentially leading to harmful side effects. Furthermore, one must ensure their practitioner has received all required training.
Alternative therapies have been widely utilized, even though some have yet to be proven as effective. Their usage continues to rise and more patients are turning to them, especially those undergoing chemotherapy or other cancer treatments; some alternative therapies can reduce side effects while also helping prevent recurrences of cancer recurrences. They can also offer benefits like stress reduction, relaxation and improved immune function.
Mind-body approach
Alternative therapy refers to a broad array of nonconventional health care practices. Examples include acupuncture, chiropractic adjustments, yoga practice and massage therapy as well as psychotherapy, meditation and biofeedback. All these activities fall under “complementary and alternative medicine,” or CAM for short. CAM encompasses any practice that does not fall into mainstream medical systems as well as therapies used alongside or as replacements for traditional treatments.
An increasing number of individuals, particularly those living with chronic illnesses, are turning to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Many seek a holistic approach that encompasses mind, body, spirit and environment for healing; others may be dissatisfied with conventional treatment’s outcomes.
Mind-body complementary and alternative medicine practices have been linked with improvements in mental and physical health symptoms, functioning, self-care practices, and quality of life. Some techniques may even prove helpful for the treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs); however, evidence remains limited and more research should be conducted into their efficacy.
Many complementary and alternative medicines (CAM therapies) have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, leaving their safety unknown to patients. If someone is considering engaging in any CAM practices, it’s wise to first discuss it with their physician prior to engaging.
Even amid its many critics, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is becoming more and more widespread throughout the US and worldwide. The National Institutes of Health has recognized five categories of CAM therapy: mind/body interventions, natural products and herbs, manipulative or body-based therapies, energy therapies and biologically based therapies.
Though complementary therapies can be useful, the key factor in their use should always be safety. Encourage your patients to ask their therapist about his/her training and the treatments modalities used. In addition, stress the importance of adopting an holistic approach towards healthcare.
Though health professionals’ education traditionally focuses on clinical skills, many patients feel their needs aren’t being met. Many are seeking deeper connections with healthcare providers as well as acknowledgment that spirituality plays a part in their lives and want an atmosphere in which they can share feelings and concerns openly.
Spiritual approach
Spiritual alternative therapies emphasize a connection between the physical, mental, and emotional realms. By tapping into the power of both mind and body to address root causes of disease rather than treating symptoms, this holistic approach to healing is known as integrative health.
Researchers have conducted surveys to understand what factors predict alternative therapy use. Education emerged as the single most significant predictor; those with higher education were more likely to report using alternative medicine; though this could have been biased because these individuals are likely employed and covered by health insurance plans, which would make their use of alternative therapy more likely. Dissatisfaction with conventional medical care did not appear to predict alternative therapy usage – only 4.4% of survey respondents indicated this use when responding.
Another element that determines alternative therapy use is its form. Some practices fall under CAMs (complementary and alternative medicines), while other are more traditional healing modalities, like herbal preparations or acupuncture, with differing cultural practices; e.g. a Tibetan healer might use an ancient herbal remedy while an Indian Ayurved treatment would likely use different practices altogether.
Alternative therapies often operate under the assumption that there exists an invisible energy field surrounding our bodies, which practitioners believe to be responsible for health and wellness, with practitioners believing they have control over it through hands-on manipulation of this field. Popular examples are massage, acupuncture and chiropractic therapies – with studies showing these can reduce pain and stress significantly.
Alternative therapies have been proven effective at relieving numerous symptoms of illness, from chronic pain and depression to insomnia and anxiety. Furthermore, some can even be combined with traditional medication – for example a study conducted with veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) demonstrated how adding spiritual elements into traditional psychotherapy significantly enhanced its success rate.
Nurses are uniquely qualified to understand the role of complementary and alternative therapies in holistic healthcare and provide patients with appropriate resources. Nurses have been specially trained to listen and identify the underlying source of patients’ issues so they can offer more holistic healthcare that incorporates both conventional and complementary practices.
