Alternative Medicine or Integrative Medicine ??

1. Alternative Medicine or Integrative Medicine ?? Dr. Betty J. Larson, LRD, FADA

2. ADA Knowledge Requirements F.1.1 and H.1.2 F1.1 Basic knowledge of alternative nutrition and herbal therapies. H.1.2. Basic knowledge of health care delivery systems

3. Alternative Forms of Medicine • 1. Naturopaths believe inflammatory and congestive conditions are related to the body’s inability to eliminate a burden of toxins that have accumulated in the tissue. The naturopath might recommend a detoxification program, evaluate the diet, explain the need for essential fatty acids, amino acids, certain vitamins, or even herbs.

4. 2. Chinese medicine might recommend a series of acupuncture treatments to stimulate and harmonize the flow of chi, or life force energy, throughout the body. They perceive illness as a systemic problem in the flow of energy through the body. They might also recommend herbs.

5. 3. A homeopath would perform a detailed • interview would provide a one-dose • treatment to provoke the body’s natural • healing process.

6. 4. In Ayurveda the dosha, or mind/body type of the client would be analyzed. Diet, herbs, massage, yoga, or meditation might be recommended based on the dosha. • 5. Behavioral or mind/body medicine might recommend stress reduction or training in relaxation response or mental imagery to encourage a healing response.

7. 6. Chiropractors use a series of spinal adjustments and manipulations to work with the nerve supply from the spine to regions of the body. • 7. Osteopaths perform similar treatments to those of the chiropractor but they might also give medications. • 8. Massage therapists provide deep tissue manipulation that release adhesions of the fascia, the tissue that surrounds the muscles and organs.

8. 9. Acupressure massage is a form of oriental massage that works to stimulate and harmonize the flow of chi through the body by stimulating and manipulating certain points on the acupuncture meridian but without needles.

9. How Can One Choose? • Tradition of one’s family • Philosophical or religious considerations • Personal relationship with practitioner • Economic considerations • Proximity • Scientific support

10. Key Principles of Chinese Medicine • A nature based paradigm • Laws that govern the natural world are used to help understand the body • Concept of yin-yang • Health is a function of a balanced, harmonious flow of chi and illness results when there is a blockage or imbalance in the flow of chi.

11. The human body has pathways called meridians through which the chi flows. • Specific meridians correspond with specific organs or organ systems • Symptoms are seen as signals or trouble in the flow of chi • Symptoms are considered a part of the pattern affecting the whole person. • Practitioner things in terms of what the chi is doing When our chi is blocked we become vulnerable to infection.

12. Treatments used in Chinese Medicine • Herbs • Acupuncture • Moxibustion • Massage • Chi Kung

13. Validity of Chinese Medicine • Problem in that chi cannot be measured • Two people with the same disease may be treated differently based on the chi • Improved survival rates for patients with nasopharyngeal, lung, throat, and breast cancer who used herbs in combination with radiation or chemotherapy.

14. Herbal combinations found to strengthen heart function, increase oxygen supply to heart and inhibit clotting. • Herbs found to reduce pain. • Acupuncture found to inhibit pain transmission

15. Ayurveda: The Wisdom of the Ancients • Ayurveda is the science that deals with physical healing, diet, herbs, and massage. • Encompasses all aspects of living healthfully and harmoniously in the world. • Natural Healing, noninvasive, nontoxic, depends on the client’s willingness to follow a healthy lifestyle.

16. The vital energy is called prana. • The constitution (dosha) is our unique pattern for how the elements are organized within us and manifest in our lives. • Dosha can be vata, pitta, or kapha • Health is a state of balance and harmony among all of these forces, between the person and surroundings. Illness occurs when they fall out of balance.

17. Ayurveda Treatments • Goal is to establish balance among the dosha so pathogens are not the main object of treatment but the person’s overall integration and resistance is the concern. • Meditation is an effective antidotes for dosha imbalance. • Lengthy questionnaires and pulse diagnosis

18. Dietary guidance tailored to the dosha • A rasayana is a regime used on a regular basis e.g.. herbal, behavioral, yoga, breathing exercises, meditation • Use massage and detoxification • A person specific approach so two individuals with the same ailment may receive different treatments. • Some of the herbs are antioxidants to reduce cancer and heart disease. • Primary benefit is prevention

19. Naturopathic Medicine • Natural system for curing disease is based on a return to nature in regulating the diet, breathing, exercising, bathing and the employment of various forces to eliminate the poisonous products in the system, and so raise the vitality of the patient to a proper standard of health.

20. Healing power of nature • The doctor identifies and removes agents that are blocking the healing process. • Treat the whole person • First do no harm • Treat the cause • Prevention is the best cure • Doctor as a teacher

21. Healing is a matter of supporting the body’s own healing mechanisms. • Symptoms are often the bodys way to fight disease - e.g. when take a decongestant or an antihistamine a client is interfering with the body’s best efforts to heal. • Detoxify to remove poisonous products in the system.

22. Naturopathic Treatments • Clinical Nutrition • Physical Medicine • Homeopathy • Botanical Medicine • Chinese Medicine • Ayurvdea • Psychological Medicine • Environmental Medicine

23. Homeopathy • Believe that some materials will cure the same illness that they cause. • Remedies are herbs, animal products and minerals. • Remedies prepared by potentization, which involves repeatedly diluting and shaking the material until only a dilute amount (if any) remains.

24. Believe that people have a vital force that is being influenced. • Goal is to challenge the vital force. • The ideal remedy is the substance that would cause the exact same symptoms if it were introduced.

25. Mind/Body Medicine • The mysterious and uncharted mechanisms by which the power of suggestion can result in a physiological change. • Stress response • Relaxation response • Lifestyle changes • Meditation, Mental Imagery, Breathing, Biofeedback

26. Osteopathic Medicine • Emphasizes the integration of the body’s communication and regulatory mechanisms, the inherent defenses and healing powers of the body, the special role of the musculoskeletal system in relation to organ systems and emphasis on health promotion • Manipulative therapies

27. Chiropractic Medicine • Manipulation of the spine • Believe the body has the ability to heal itself from within • By manipulating the spine and other joints through which the nervous system passes, chiropractors see themselves as removing barriers or obstacles to the full expression of the life force.

28. Chiropractors believe that much of illness occurs as a result of disturbance in the nervous system. • The disturbance is caused by derangements of the musculoskeletal structure. • Therapies include a physical exam, physiotherapy, and adjustments. • One interesting researcher showed chiropractic adjustment as beneficial to middle ear infections.

29. Massage Therapy • Hands on manipulation for healing • Basic principle that improved blood circulation is beneficial for all conditions. • Circulation of the lymphatic fluid plays a key role in ridding the body of wastes, toxins and pathogens. • Reducing stress