Sunteți pe pagina 1din 6

1

Cam Therapies
Lesson 1: Acupressure

Summary: In this weeks lesson, we will be looking at what Complementary and Alternative
Medicine Therapies are and how they are beneficial. The CAM therapy that will be the focus for
this week will be Acupressure. We will discover its origins, benefits and uses.

Lesson Content:

What is Acupressure?
Acupressure is a therapy that was developed around 5,000 years ago. Seeing that it is still in use
today should be able to tell you how beneficial it is. It uses precise finger placement and
pressure over specific points along the body. These points follow specific channels, known as
meridians the same channels used in acupuncture (Weil, 2017).

According to Asian medical philosophy, by activating these meridians by using pressure or


needles, can: increase blood flow, release tension, and enhance or unblock life-energy. This life-
energy is also known as Chi. It is believed that the body will heal its self by releasing this
blocked energy within the body.

Most modern doctors and scientist do not recognize the existence of Chi or the meridians that
are said to be activated when conducting this treatment. According to this skeptical view, any
healing effect from acupuncture or acupressure sessions is not due to the alteration of subtle
energy flows along invisible channels, but rather to the same gross physical effects that happen
during any kind of massage therapy, including muscular relaxation and improved regional blood
flow (Weil, 2017).

What are the common Acupressure points?


The eight most common Acupressure points and what their recommended uses are:

Feng Chi- This point is recommended for headache, migraine, eye blurriness or fatigue,
low energy, and cold/flu symptoms. It is located by feeling the mastoid (ear) bone and
following the groove back to where the neck muscles attach to the skull (IM, 2017).
Jian Jing- This point is located by pinching the shoulder muscle with your thumb and
middle finger and is commonly used for stress, facial pain, headaches, toothaches and
neck pain. Use with caution in pregnant women (IM, 2017).
He Gu- This point is good for stress, headaches, toothaches, facial pain and neck pain.
However, as a word of precaution, it can induce labor and must never be used during
pregnancy (IM, 2017).
Tai Chong- You need to take off your shoe to find this point. This is an excellent area to
stimulate for stress, low back pain, high blood pressure, limb pain, insomnia and
emotional upset (IM, 2017).
2

Nei Guan- This point can help provide relief for nausea, anxiety, carpal tunnel
syndrome, upset stomach, motion sickness and headaches and is even used for
regulation of heart palpitations (IM, 2017).
Zhong Zu- This point is in the groove formed by the tendons of the 4th and 5th finger,
behind the knuckles and is commonly used in the clinic for temporal headaches,
shoulder and neck tension, and upper back pain (IM, 2017).
San Yin Jiao- This point can be very helpful for many urological and pelvic disorders as
well as fatigue and insomnia. Avoid during pregnancy (IM, 2017).
Zu San Li- You can find this point useful for fatigue and depression as well as knee pain
and gastrointestinal discomfort. Asians frequently stimulate this point for health
promotion and longevity (IM, 2017).

What are the benefits?


Several of the benefits of this type of therapy are: relief of pain, reduced tension in muscles,
improve circulation and the promotion of deep states of relaxation. This therapy can also be
used to treat things such as: nausea, vomiting, motion sickness, headaches, neck/back pain,
chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, mental and emotional stress, even addiction recovery and
learning disorders (Weil, 2017).

Who can benefit most from this type of therapy?


Everyone can benefit from this type of CAM therapy. As we can see what we have covered on
the subject, there are many benefits and uses for this therapy. This type of therapy should be
suggested to those that suffer from chronic pain, headaches, and daily mental/emotional
stress. There is something to benefited by everyone that choses to participate in this type of
therapy.

References:

Acupressure - Dr. Weil's Wellness Therapies. (2017, October 24). Retrieved from
https://www.drweil.com/health-wellness/balanced-living/wellness-
therapies/acupressure/

UCLA Center for East-West Medicine. (2017). Acupressure for Beginners - Explore Integrative
Medicine. Retrieved from https://exploreim.ucla.edu/self-care/acupressure-and-
common-acupressure-points/
3

CAM Therapies
Lesson 2: Acupuncture

Summary: This week we will be exploring the basics of Acupuncture. We will discover what
acupuncture is, possible side effects of this type of therapy, and the standards/restrictions that
are set for the needles that are used by professionals.

Lesson Content:

What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is similar to Acupressure. Needles are placed over specific points along the body.
These points follow specific channels, known as meridians just like Acupressure does.
Acupuncture can be used to treat the same aliments as Acupressure can. Really the difference
between these two therapies is more of a personal preference. Some individuals just do not
enjoy needles in their bodies.

The general theory of acupuncture is based on the premise that there are patterns of energy
flow (Chi) through the body that are essential for health. Disruptions of this flow are believed to
be responsible for disease. Acupuncture may, it has been theorized, correct imbalances of flow
at identifiable points close to the skin (MedicineNet, 2016).

What are the standards for Acupuncture needles?


Before referring a client or patient to an acupuncturist, it would be important to explain to
them that there is possible health risk. Acupuncture requires the use of sharp needles that will
be placed within the skin in various parts of the body. There are many standards and
regulations for the use of these instruments, but like everything in life, there is always some
risk.

The vast majority of acupuncture needles are one-time-use, avoiding the problems of
improper sterilization. Medical equipment, moreover, is subject to a variety of norms and
standards across Canada and America, all of which must be met in order for acupuncture
needles to make it to the market, and to continue being sold (Zhang, 2016).

Surprisingly enough, the FDA has the say in how the needles needed for this treatment shall be
handled and sold within the United States. FDA regulations stipulate that acupuncture needles
should be one use only, properly and consistently sterilized, and that their materials should be
appropriate for use in contact with the body (Zhang, 2016).

What are the possible side effects of Acupuncture?


Like we have mentioned in the standards for Acupuncture needles, there are some risks. It is
important that you make sure your clients understand that even though this is a fairly safe
procedure, there are risks to be aware of. The most common infection reported from
acupuncture treatments is viral hepatitis, a potentially serious infection of the liver. Other side
4

effects include bacterial infections locally at the site of needle insertion in the skin and
elsewhere in the body. Generally, side effects seem to relate to poor hygiene and training of
the acupuncturist (MedicineNet, 2016).

Before referring clients or patients to an acupuncturist, it is important that you make sure that
they are qualified and work within the guidelines/standards that have been set for Acupuncture
within the United States. This would prevent your clients from suffering any serious harm from
this CAM therapy.

References:

How Does Acupuncture Work? Points, Benefits & Needles. (2016). Retrieved from
https://www.medicinenet.com/acupuncture/article.htm#what_are_the_possible_side_
effects_of_acupuncture

Zhang, M. Y. (2017, May 16). Demystifying acupuncture needle norms and standards. Retrieved
from http://www.discoverhealth.ca/acupuncture-needles-norms-and-standards/
5

Cam Therapies
Lesson Three: Ayurveda

Summary: In the final lesson of this course, we will be discovering the CAM therapy Ayurveda.
Just like the previous lessons, will be learning what Ayurvedic Medicine is, what it has to do with
your life energy, what it should be used to treat, and what Dosha is.

Lesson Content:

What is Ayurvedic Medicine?


Ayurvedic medicine (Ayurveda for short) is one of the world's oldest holistic (whole-body)
healing systems. It was developed more than 3,000 years ago in India (WebMD, 2017). This
CAM therapy is based on the belief that your wellness is dependent all aspects of your life.
There needs to be a balance between your mind, body and spirit. Without this balance, you
cannot be fully healthy. The main goal of this therapy is the promotion of health and balance.
Not to fight disease. But, it can be used to target specific ailments.

Ayurveda and Your Life Energy


Those who practice Ayurveda believe every person is made of five basic elements found in the
universe: space, air, fire, water, and earth (WebMD, 2017). Within this practice, it is also
believed that everyone and everything in the universe is connected. Both dead and alive. If your
mind, body and spirit can stay connected and as one with the world, you will be healthy. When
you lose this balance, it is believed that you will be unwell. There are other factors that are
recognized as contributing to being unwell. Things such as: genetic or birth defects, injuries,
climate and seasonal change, age, and your emotions.

What is Dosha?
It is believed that there are three Doshas or life energies. How much we have of each is what
makes us all unique and our own person. These Doshas are:
Pitta- Controls metabolism, digestion and hormones linked to appetite (Yogapedia,
2017).
Vata- The most powerful of the Doshas, controls basic bodily functions as well as the
mind (Yogapedia, 2017).
Kapha- Controls strength and stability, muscle growth, weight and the immune system
(Yogapedia, 2017).

Once an individual is evaluated to see how much of each life energy that they possess, a
treatment plan will be made for the individual. The plan will also take into account what the
exact issue the individual is seeking help for, previous medical history, allergies and physically
capabilities of the individual. This type of therapy can consist of yoga, herbal treatments,
natural oils applied to the body, meditation, breathing exercises, and many other things.
Therapies will defer depending on your own personal beliefs and the beliefs and
understandings of the Ayurveda professional.
6

What is Ayurvedic Medicine best used for?


Just like the other CAM therapies that we have studied in this course, Ayurveda can be used for
many different things and various reasons. It can even be used as part of your daily regime in
order to keep a healthy balance between our mind, body and spirit.

Some of the reasons that individuals turn to this type of therapy are to treat: Stress and
Anxiety, Blood Pressure and Cholesterol, Recovery from Injuries and Illnesses, Diet, Weight Loss
or Weight Maintenance, Inflammation, and Hormonal Balance (Axe, 2017).

References:

Axe, J. (2017, June 21). 7 Benefits of Ayurvedic Medicine: Lower Stress, Blood Pressure & More -
Dr. Axe. Retrieved from https://draxe.com/ayurvedic-medicine/

What Is Ayurveda? (2017). Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/ayurvedic-


treatments#2-6

What is Dosha? - Definition from Yogapedia. (2017). Retrieved from


https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/5962/dosha

S-ar putea să vă placă și