Presentee:

sukhdeep kaur
M.Sc(N) 2nd year
 Introduction
• Alternative medicine includes therapies and
health care practices not widely taught in most
medical schools; however, many such practices
are popular, and some are used in hospital.

• Patients are most likely to seek alternative

medicine for conditions such as chronic low back
pain, stress, migraine headaches, menopausal
symptoms, cancer and arthritis.
 Introduction
Complementary and alternative medicines
(CAM) includes various healing process and
therapies that originate from around that are not
based on conventional western medicines , these
therapies are called alternative medicines when
they are used alone and complimentary medicine
when they are used with conventional medicine.
 Definition

Interventions that differ from the traditional or

conventional biomedical treatment of disease.
Alternative refers to an intervention that is used
instead of conventional treatment.
 Conti..
There are so many alternative ways of treatment
in whole world other than allopathy which serve
humanity for curing diseases and ailments that
comes under the alternative system of health
care.
 The Differences Between Conventional,
Alternative And Complementary Medicine
Conventional medicine places its
emphasis on physicians, science, and
chemistry.

Alternative medicine place their

emphasis on nature and the individual.

Complementary medicine can be seen as

something like the best of both worlds. It
involves the simultaneous employment of
both conventional and alternative therapies
in the treatment of patients.
 TERMINOLOGIES
HOLISM

HEALING HUMANISM

ENERGY BALANCE
• HOLISM: The idea
that the whole of the
sick person including
their body , mind and
way of life, should
be considered when
treating them, and
not the just the
symptom of the
diseases
HUMANISM
• A system of thought that
considers the solving of
human problems with
the help of religious
beliefs, it emphasizes
the fact that basic nature
of human is good.
• BALANCE : A Situation in which different
things exist in equal , correct or good amount.
• ENERGY : The ability to put effort and
enthusiasm into an activity , work etc.
• HEALING : The process of returning to
normal function after a period of disease or
injury.
 Basic principles
• The body has the ability to heal itself.
• Health and healing are related to
harmony of mind, body and spirit
• Basic good health practices build the
foundation for healing.
• Healing practices are individualized.
• People are responsible for their own
healing.
ALTERNATIVE MEDICAL SYSTEMS

These are complete systems that have developed

independently from traditional western medicine.
The most commonly encountered of these
include naturopathy, homeopathy, and Ayurveda
medicine.
Alternative medicine can be grouped
into five categories.

MANIPULATIVE
ALTERNATIVE AND BODY BASED BIOLOGICALLY
MEDICAL METHODS BASED
SYSTEMS SYSTEMS

MIND AND BODY Energy based

INTERVENTIONS therapies
 Alternative medical systems

Ayurveda Siddha Homeopathy

Unani and
Naturopathy
Tibbi
Alternative medical systems
 Ayurveda
• Ayurveda is a system of traditional medicine native to the
Indian subcontinent originated >5000yrs ago and practiced in
the other parts of the world as a form of alternative medicine.

• In Sanskrit , word ayurveda consists of the word ayes meaning

life and veda meaning related to knowledge or science. The
aim is to remove the cause of disorders, prevent illness and
harmonize body, mind and consciousness.
 Conti…
Its focus is on the balance of mind, body and
spirit. Intervention used include diet, medicinal
herbs, detoxification, breathing exercise,
meditation and yoga. Ayurveda stresses the use
of plant based medicine and treatment like
cardamom and cinnamon.
 Conti..
Ayurveda empowers the
individual to take control
of their own health and
wellbeing. For example
terminalia arjuna is useful
in alleviating pain of
angina pectoris and
treating heart failure and
coronary artery diseases,
hypercholesterolemia
Black pepper and long
pepper are combined with
ginger to form the
traditional trikatu mixture
in Ayurveda. This mixture
increases appetite,
promotes the secretion of
digestive juices, and cures
certain gastric disorders
particularly achlorhydria,
and hypochlorhydria.
 Alternative medical systems
Siddha
The siddha is a form of south It is assumed that when normal
indian tamil traditional equillibrium of three humors (
medicine, the system is vatha, pitha and kapha )is
believed to be developed by disturbed disease is caused
the 9 nath and 84 siddhas in the
north and 18 siddhas in the
south called siddhar.
 Conti..
• The factors, which assumed to affect this
equilibrium are environment, climatic
conditions, diet, physical activities, and stress.

• According to siddha medicine system, diet and

lifestyle play a major role not only in health
but also in curing diseases.
 Treatment is classified into three
categories
Deva maruthuvum (Divine Manuda Maruthuvum
method) (rational method)
Medicines like parpam, medicines made of herbs
guru, sulfur and like churanam,
pashanams are used. kudineer, or vadagam are
used
 Conti..
Asura Maruthuvum (surgical method).
incision, excision, heat application, blood
letting, or leech application are used.
 Alternative system of medicine
Homeopathy is a self-healing system, assisted
by small doses of remedies or medicines, which
is useful in a variety of acute or chronic disorder.
It was developed by Samuel Hahnemann, a
German physicist in 1796.
• According to homeopathy, a substance that causes the
symptoms of a disease in healthy people will cure
similar symptoms in sick people
• Remedies used in homeopathy are derived from
naturally occurring substances such as plant extracts
and minerals.
• The remedies are prepared by repeatedly diluting a
chosen substance in alcohol or distilled water,
followed by forceful striking on an elastic body,
called succession.
 Alternative system of medicine
Naturopathy
It is a system of therapy based
on preventive care, and on the
use of heat, water, light, air,
and massage as primary
therapies for disease.
 Therapies considered to be of primary
importance in the naturopathy are:

• Nutrition and dietetic

• Fasting, education
• Healthy lifestyle
 Alternative system of medicine
Unani and Tibbi As an alternative form of
medicine, unani has found favour in Asia, especially
India. In India these unani practitioners can practice
as a qualified doctors, as the Indian government
approves their practice. Unani medicine is very
close to Ayurveda, both are based on the theory of
the presence of the elements (in unani they
considered to be fire, water, earth and air) in the
human body. According to followers of unani
medicine, these elements are present in different
fluids and their balance leads to health and their
imbalance leads to illness
 Treatment in unani medicine
Regimental therapy-It includes venesection,
cupping, diaphoresis, dieresis, Turkish bath,
massage, cauterization, purging, emesis, exercise
and leeching.
Pharmacotherapy – It deals with the use of
Local herbal drugs
 Alternative system of medicine
Traditional Chinese medicine Traditional Chinese medicine
• Acupressure and • It is believed that
acupuncture are healing
these meridians of qi
techniques based on the
ancient philosophies of connects various parts
traditional Chinese medicine. of the body.
• The main concept behind • The pathway link a
Chinese medicine is that
healing energy (qi) flow
conglomerate of
through the body along points called
specific pathway called acupoints.
meridians
 Traditional Chinese medicine
Acupressure :-The
fingers, thumbs, palm,
elbow are used to apply
pressure to dissolve
obstruction in the flow of
healing energy and to
restore the body to a
healthier functioning.
 Conti..
Acupuncture:- -
Specific points on the body
are stimulated, usually by
inserting thin needles into
the skin and underlying
tissues. Sometimes
additional stimulation is
added by using a very low
voltage electrical current, by
twisting the needle, or by
warming the needle.
 Conti..
Acupressure and acupuncture stimulate the
body’s own painkilling chemical- the morphine
like substance known as endorphins.
These treatment effective in the treatment of
asthma, dysmenorrhea, cervical pain, insomnia,
anxiety, depression, substance abuse, low back
pain and many other conditions.
 MANIPULATIVE AND BODY
BASED METHODS
These involve the movement and manipulation
of certain parts of the body to regulate health or
address ailments. It include :-
MANIPULATIVE AND BODY
BASED METHODS

Chiropractic

Tai chi Osteopathy

 MANIPULATIVE AND BODY
BASED METHODS
• Chiropractic
It was developed by David Palmer. Theory
behind chiropractic medicine was that the
energy flow from the brain to all parts of the
body through spinal cord and spinal nerves.
• When vertebrae of the spinal column become
displaced they press nerve and interference
with normal nerve transmission.
 Conti…
Chiropractic medicine focuses on nervous
system and musculoskeletal system disorders
and their effect on general health. Chiropractic
doctors typically perform spinal manipulation to
restore joint mobility. Chiropractic treat client
with headache, neck injury, respiratory and
gastrointestinal disorders, menstrual difficulties,
allergies, sinusitis and sports injuries.
 MANIPULATIVE AND BODY
BASED METHODS
Osteopathy
Osteopathic medicine focuses on the relationship
between function and structure of the body as well as its
innate ability to heal itself. Frontier physician Andrew
Taylor 's techniques relied on manipulation of joints and
to diagnose and treat illness, and he called his practices
osteopath.
 MANIPULATIVE AND BODY
BASED METHODS
Taichi
It has recently been considered as an alternative
method for lowering the blood pressure levels
It involves a series of slow, meditative body
movements that were originally designed for
self-defense and to promote inner peace and
calm.
 Benefits of tai chi
• It delay aging and prolong life,
• increase flexibility, strengthen muscles and
tendons, and aid in the treatment of heart
diseases , high blood pressure
• Arthritis
• Skin diseases,
• Depression, anxiety. Anger, frustration
• Cancer and many other illnesses.
 MIND AND BODY INTERVENTIONS

These interventions are intended to use mind

capacity to affect bodily function. Leading mind
body techniques are:-
 MIND AND BODY
INTERVENTIONS

Meditation

Relaxation Yoga
Imagery Hypnosis Biofeedback
 Mind and body intervention
• Meditation
by itself is focused attention
to achieve relaxation and
calmness. In meditation,
people regulate their
attention or systematically
focus on particular aspects
of inner or outer experience.
• Meditation usually involves
sitting or resting quietly,
often with the eyes closed.
Sometimes it involves the
repetitive sounding of a
phrase (a mantra) meant to
help the person focus.
 Mind and body intervention
Relaxation techniques are practices specifically
designed to relieve tension and strain. The specific
technique may be aimed at reducing activity of the
nerves that control the stress response (sympathetic
nervous system), lowering blood pressure, easing
muscle tension, slowing metabolic processes, or altering
brain wave activity.
 Conti..
Basic elements of relaxation techniques :-
• A quiet environment
• A comfortable position
• Focused attention
• A passive attitude, practice
 Techniques
• Sit in a comfortable chair with your hands in your lap,
your feet flat on the floor, and your eyes closed.
• Begin by taking three deep, slow breaths, inhaling
through the nose and releasing the air slowly through
the mouth.
• Now starting with the feet, pull the toes forward toward
the knees, stiffen your calves and hold for a count of
five.
• Now release the hold. Let go of the tension. Feel the
sensation of relaxation and warmth as the tension flows
out of the muscle
 Mind and body intervention
Yoga is one of the most
helpful and healthy forms
of experience to manage
the influence of thinking
by turning psychological
and physical force into
spiritual energy. Its daily
practice is often seen as a
way of gaining control
over your health.
 Mind and body intervention
Mental imagery uses the
imagination in an effort to
reduce the body’s response to
stress It is a relaxation method
in which patients are instructed
to imagine themselves in a
place associated with pleasant
memories. Some might select a
scene at the seashore, mountain
atmosphere, floating through
the air on a fluffy white cloud
 Mind and body intervention
Hypnosis is an artificially
induced state in which the
person is relaxed and
unusually suggestible.
Hypnosis can be induced
in many ways, such as by
using a fixed point for
attention, rhythmic
monotonous instructions,
etc.
 TECHNIQUES
Patient is made to lie down
on a bed or sit in a chair. He
is asked to gaze fixedly on a
spot. Therapist makes
monotonous suggestions of
relaxation and sleep. The
patient, however, is not
asleep and can hear what is
being said, answer questions
and obey instructions
 Mind and body intervention
Biofeedback-It is the use of instrumentation to
become aware of the processes in your body that
you usually do not notice and help bring them under
voluntary control. Biofeedback machines give
immediate information about an individual’s own
biological conditions such as muscle tension, skin
surface tension, brain wave activity, skin
conductivity, blood pressure and heart rate. Some
conditions that can be successfully treated with
biofeedback include spastic colon, hypertension,
migraine headaches, muscle spasms, anxiety,
phobias, stuttering and teeth grinding
 Techniques
Sensors from the
biofeedback equipment are
attached to the patient’s
body which monitors and
relates the biological
conditions of an individual
like muscle spasticity,
body temperature, brain-
wave activity, heart rate
and blood pressure.
Each of these conditions will elicit a signal from
the equipment such as blinking light or an
audible tone. The individual practices using
relaxation and voluntary control to modify the
signal, in turn indicating a modification of the
autonomic function it represents.
BIOLOGICALLY BASED TREATMENTS
These treatments use substances found in nature
like herbs, minerals and vitamins. These are
commonly supplied as dietary supplements
The use of probiotic is also a biologically based
treatment. Probiotics involve the introduction of
beneficial live bacterial to the gastrointestinal
tract, either through supplements or by the
addition of live cultures through foods like
yogurt.
 Biological based treatments

Herbal Nutritional
medicine therapy
 BIOLOGICALLY BASED
TREATMENTS
Herbal medicine: It has
always attracted some
interest many well known
drugs are plant dervied. •
E.g.; digoxin from fox
glows and morphine from
poppies.
 Conti..
Kava (Piper methysticum) a herbal has long
been used in the South Pacific islands to reduce
stress and anxiety and induce relaxation .Kava
has been reported to interact with the GABA
receptor, which is the main target for hypnotic
agents that induce sleep.
 Conti…
Chamomile (Matricariarecutita) has traditionally
been used for sleep related disorders.
Constituents of chamomile (apigenin and
flavonoids) have been reported to bind to the
benzodiazepine receptors in the brain and
promote a tranquilizing effect, making them
effective in insomnia
 BIOLOGICALLY BASED
TREATMENTS
Nutritional Therapy is suitable for everyone,
young and old, for those who would like to
alleviate specific symptoms, as well as those
who would just like to improve their overall
health and wellbeing. In a nutshell, Nutritional
Therapy helps you to identify the foods that
make you look and feel your best.
Antioxidant are also nutritional supplements
which can remove free radicals from human
body so as to prevent severe diseases like
cancers
 Conti..
These treatments involve the manipulation of
energy fields.
 ENERGY THERAPIES

• Massage therapy
• Reflexology
• Hand mediated bio field therapies
 Energy based therapies
Massage was thought to improve the circulation
of the blood and assist in relaxation. More
recently the benefits have been more precisely
identified and categorized as physical, mental,
emotional and spiritual
Conti..
Physically massage relaxes
muscles and release lactic
acid that accumulates during
exercise. It can also improve
the flow of blood and lymph,
stretch points and relieve
pain and Congestion.
Massage is also thought to
release body toxins and
stimulate the immune
system thereby helping the
body combat diseases
.
 Energy based therapies
Reflexology A variant of massage therapy, relies
on manual pressure applied to specific areas of
the foot; these areas are believed to correspond
to different organs or body systems via meridians
to eliminate blockage of energy responsible for
pain or disease.
 Energy based therapies
HAND MEDIATED BIO-FIELD THERAPIES
Therapeutic touch (TT) is a mostly secular variant of
faith healing, started by Dolores Krieger in the early
1970s. The TT practitioner moves his hands over the
patient’s body, specifically the affected area, without
actually touching the patient. TT adherents claim that
this directs the flow of chi so that the patient can heal.
 OTHER THERAPIES
• Pet therapy • Chromo therapy (Color
• Aroma Therapy Therapy)
• Spiritual Therapy • Dance/Movement
• Faith and prayer Therapies
• Music therapy • Physiotherapy
• Sound Therapy
• Vision Therapies
 NURSING MANAGEMENT
• Nurse must be aware of & sensitive to patients
interpretation about health , illness, promotion &
prevention aspects.
• Unique health practices &beliefs must be identified &
respected.
• Nurses needs to knowledgeable about cultural beliefs
& alternative practices.
• Deliver effective individualized holistic care.
• Nurses need to be knowledgeably about CATs & their
complication ,contraindications ,potential benefit &
adverse effects.
• Use of special prayers, special foods are integrated into the
plan of care whenever possible.
• Success may be small(cultural food ,relaxation exercise) but
their cumulative effect can be powerful.
• Suggest to the patients to keep a daily log of therapy used
• and document symptom improvement & side effects.
• Help patients explore CAT therapies that are suitable for
• them.
• It is important for patients to know how to access &
evaluate safe & competent practitioners.
Research article
Randomized Controlled Trial of
Mindfulness Meditation for
Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Effects
on Anxiety and Stress Reactivity
 METHODS
Eighty nine individuals with DSM-IV-diagnosed GAD were
randomized to an 8-week group intervention with MBSR or to
an attention control, Stress Management Education (SME)
between 2009 and 2011. Anxiety symptoms were measured with
the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA; primary outcome measure),
the Clinical Global Impression of Severity of illness and
Improvement (CGI-S and CGI-I), and the Beck Anxiety
Inventory (BAI). Stress reactivity was assessed by comparing
anxiety and distress during pre- and post-treatment administration
of Trier Social Stress Tests (TSST).
RESULTS
A modified intent-to-treat analysis including participants who
completed at least one session of MBSR (N=48) or SME (N=41)
showed that both interventions led to significant reductions in
HAMA scores at endpoint, but did not significantly differ.
MBSR, however, was associated with a significantly greater
reduction in anxiety as measured by the CGI-S, the CGI-I, and
the BAI (all Ps<0.05). MBSR was also associated with greater
reductions than SME in anxiety and distress ratings in response to
the TSST stress challenge (P<0.05), and a greater increase in
positive self-statements (P=0.004).
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that MBSR may have a
beneficial effect on anxiety symptoms in GAD,
and may also improve stress reactivity and
coping as measured in a laboratory stress
challenge.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

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190
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Advanced Nursing Practice, The Health sciences
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