By Jennifer Wang
Article Source: NurseTV.com
Nurses and medical professionals rely heavily on traditional medicines and treatments to fight disease and pain in their patients. But, more and more Americans are also incorporating complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) into their health regimen. CAM is practiced by 42 percent of Americans, according to a 2005 report published by the Institute of Medicine. Patients who use CAM turn to dietary supplements, acupuncture and even yoga to help treat their conditions.
"To me, the most important thing that nurses should know about CAM is that it's not [composed] of treatments that people receive instead of medical treatments," says Joan Fox, Ph.D., who founded Cleveland Clinic's Center for Integrative Medicine. "Rather, CAM involves recognition by patients that they can have a powerful effect on their own wellbeing and health by participating in practices... that they find helpful in decreasing stress, bringing calm or providing spiritual benefits."
CAM encompasses a range of practices and treatments, and there are several different therapies that can achieve positive results.
Mindfulness and Meditation
In 2003, out of curiosity, Lorraine Chase enrolled in a trial mindfulness and meditation program at the University of California, San Diego. She admits to being skeptical at first.
"We started out focusing on a raisin," recalls Chase. "And I thought, 'Great, I'm sitting around contemplating a raisin!'-but it was the idea of being really aware of now without throwing other garbage in there."
After six months of mindfulness practice, Chase noticed she was no longer suffering from migraines.
"It never occurred to me that this would help, but now, I have one migraine-or none-a year, which is enough to keep me doing it," says Chase.
Mindfulness and meditation also helped her two years later, when she was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer.
"I'm fine now, and most of the credit goes to traditional medicine and my doctors and nurses," she says. "But I obviously worried [about] what was going to happen to me, and I could focus on enjoying as much of each day as I could because of what I'd learned."
Acupuncture
Shelley Watters, DNP, RN, is the Director of Professional Development at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Shadyside. After several major knee surgeries-and despite physical therapy, braces, medications and even an arthroscopy-she couldn't walk without stiffening up.
Her first treatment at UPMC's Center for Integrative Medicine brought immediate relief.
"I went in for my appointment and I couldn't even bend my knee," says Watters. "When the needle hit the point that was associated with knee immobility... it was like a river of pressure had been unblocked."
After her success with CAM, Watters is doing her part to spread the word.
"I think the [Center's] clinic services are underutilized," she says. "So [I'm] working with practitioners from the Center to educate physicians and nurses to make referrals to the Center to complement the traditional medicine we currently utilize. Health care providers should be aware there is more out there that may help patients with recovery."
When CAM Might Be an Option
Unfortunately, because of the medical model in place, nurses have few opportunities to discuss CAM with patients. One hospital that has addressed this issue is Midwestern Regional Medical Center's Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA).
"Three times a week, our physicians, clinicians and representatives from all of the CAM departments meet to discuss our patient's diagnosis, progress and treatment plans," says Michelle Bregenzer, NP, APNN, CTCA's Infusion Center Manager. "At this endorsement meeting each patient's individual needs are assessed so that if a patient can benefit from a CAM consult we can be proactive. For example, if weight loss is identified as an issue, a nutritional and metabolic support consult would be initiated."
According to Watters and Bregenzer, patients may benefit from CAM if they:
- Have pain or immobility not relieved by traditional treatments like surgery, physical therapy and non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Need additional support to manage the physical and emotional stresses related to diagnoses and treatments of non-curable diseases like cancer or fibromyalgia.
- Express an aversion to potential side effects of medications, or an interest in trying CAM therapies.
______________________________ -Carol Look, Ph.D., EFT Expert & Author "I have been using EFT for years and have found it a pivotal tool in creating the life of my dreams. Finally a film that captures this technique in a heartfelt, down to earth and passionate way. This information is essential if you want to live your best life!" -Jack Canfield, Co-Creator of "Chicken Soup for the Soul" "My DVD arrived in the mail today and I have just finished watching it....WOW...what an amazing experience.....I had no idea that I had totally suppressed so many emotions until I saw this movie...I smiled...I cried...I hurt...I loved...I healed! I want to thank the participants for being so gracious and for being prepared to share their experiences with us all....they are spreading the miracles worldwide." - Pauline Swanson, Australia
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A startling new discovery that combines Ancient Chinese accupressure with modern psychology is giving people around the world the emotional and physical freedom they've alway wanted.
EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) has been shown to provide relief from chronic pain, emotional problems, disorders, addictions, phobias, post traumatic stress disorder, and physical issues. While EFT is newly set to revolutionize the field of health and wellness, the healing concepts that it's based upon have been in practice in Eastern medicine for over 5,000 years. Like acupuncture and acupressure, EFT is a set of techniques which utilize the body's energy meridian points. You can stimulate these meridian points by tapping on them with your fingertips – literally tapping into your body's own energy and healing power. Your body is more powerful than you can imagine… filled with life, energy, and a compelling ability for self-healing. With EFT, you can take control of that power.
Chinese Acupuncture: An Ancient Art For A Modern Age
by Peter Wellington
Article Source: http://newagearticles.com
Chinese acupuncture is nothing new, it's been with us for centuries and its popularity continues to grow in the West. Today you will find a Chinese acupuncture clinic in almost every town, City or state and in the States.
Acupuncture and acupressure is considered to be a complementary medicine. Sometimes it is referred to as an alternative therapy and as such it should be used as together with thorough consultations with a qualified medical practitioner.
Men and women who have had many years of intense and thorough training in the art staff Chinese acupuncture clinics. These people are true experts who use Chinese acupuncture to assist the healing of many ailments and injuries.
Arthritis and other complaints related to the joints, bones and muscles are considered highly treatable with Chinese acupuncture. Many people attest to the fact that they have received considerable relief from their pain and suffering following their treatment. If you suffer from these types of complaints then you'd be well advised to seek out an acupuncturist and try it for yourself. Make sure that you see your regular doctor first however.
Chinese Acupuncture and Pain Relief
For a great deal of sufferers acupuncture has provided a degree of pain relief that hitherto they have not enjoyed from other forms of modern painkiller drugs. Taking into account that the side effects of many of these drugs can be as uncomfortable as the pain then Chinese acupuncture paints a rosy alternative.
Pain relief is not the only benefit from Chinese acupuncture. Many other complaints and ailments, common and not so common are highly treatable with the intervention of a killed practitioner. Nicotine addiction has a severe, life threatening, health-inhibiting grip on a good deal of people, both young and old. Often these folk will feel a sense of helplessness and at a loss in the face of this restricting force operating in their lives. Thankfully those who have sought the intervention of Chinese acupuncture have found that the once unconquerable cigarette is now a defeated foe.
Chinese Acupuncture and Stress Relief
The great pressure of modern-day lifestyles, stress, is a leach for many. It drains of energy and will power and leaves a person unable to cope, as the conflict of daily chores becomes unbearable stress continues to influence lives for the worse. Chinese acupuncture is shown to be a highly efficient sluice gate for unwanted stress. A skilled acupuncturist has the ability to insert acupuncture needles with a high degree of precision. There are meridian points around the body that will release body energies and bring about an almost instant relief from the inhibiting force of unwanted and harmful stress.
A Simple Technique to Try
Here's a little experiment to try the next time you are faced with a level of stress that you would rather do without: its based on Chinese acupuncture.
Take the thumb and forefinger of your left, or right hand, in a pinching form. With this pinch take hold of the fleshy part that is situated between the thumb and forefinger of the other hand. Now gently massage that are with the thumb and forefinger. After a minute or two your body will begin to release nature enzymes and chemicals that will help reduce the level of stress that you are experiencing. What you're doing is applying pressure on one of those ancient Chinese acupuncture points. Have a good day - and may God bless you.
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About the Author: Peter Wellington writes for www.acupunctureaid.com, a website providing a comprehensive archive of free information and guides on the ancient art of Chinese Acupuncture.
