Complementary Therapies

Compare the role of two complementary therapies with those of more orthodox treatments – M2

Knowledge and lack of knowledge can have a major influence on whether individuals use complementary therapies. For example; people may have heard negative stories about certain therapies such as acupuncture, aromatherapy or massage. This negativity may implement fear of using these therapies. Lack of knowledge may also case negative feelings, for example; individuals may have never heard of certain therapies before that are now available in their local area. Some might know about the therapy, but do not understand the benefits of using it.

P5 – explain the advantages and disadvantages of complementary therapies in maintaining health and wellbeing

Complementary treatment would include Hydrotherapy - for acute back pain, use an ice pack on the sore area for 20 min every 1-2 hours. This helps with pain and inflammation until the Alternative medicine treatments begin to take effect.

In this assignment I will be explaining factors that affect access to complementary therapies; I will then explain how the use of complementary therapies is regulated. Then I will explain the principles and practises of complementary therapies I will then go on to discuss complementary therapies that are available for users of Health & Social Care services.

Individuals living in rural and suburb areas may have very few centres which offer complementary therapies and might not know where their nearest one is.

Acupuncture – this technique is also considered to be a complimentary therapy. Acupuncture is a type of an ancient Chinese medicine that has been practiced for thousands of years by the Chinese. This technique is basically where you inject refined needles that have been sterile into the patient’s body.

Understand complementary therapies that can be used by users of health and social care services

The complementary therapy practice has become progressively universal, with a significant indication for nurses to ensure patients are well cared and their safety. The objective of the review is to find out the perspective of using complementary therapies by patients has impact on nurses. There were fifteen articles which were included in the review, the five researched themes were from the statistics associated with ‘’nurses' attitude towards complementary therapies”, the pros and cons of the conventional medicine, the Complementary therapies to improve nursing practice, the patient consent and their needs, the cultural differences and incorporation as well as the constitutional differences and incorporation. The support for complementary

It could be considered that conventional medicine has indirectly contributed to the rise of complementary and alternative medicine. A broad definition of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is “a broad set of health care practices that are not part of that country’s own tradition or conventional medicine and are not fully integrated into the dominant health-care system” (The World Health Organisation, n.d.). Expanding on this definition it is important to address the variable similarities of CAM modalities. CAM therapies across the various modalities have in common a shared, in varying degrees, holistic approach and subscribe to some form of vitality - a contrast from the science-based view point of conventional medicine prevalent in western society. In spite of CAM therapies empirical nature and efficacies, it is suggested that dissatisfaction of conventional medicine underpins the popularity it has garnered, thus, it will be examined further as to how and why. A further discussion will be made to related dangers of both alternative and science-based medicine; providing an opportunity to constructively educate the public on the differences between the two systems.

Is not part of a comprehensive system of health care treatment, it is an assortment of

I have integrated various holistic practices into my treatment plans including acupuncture, yoga, massage, meditation and prayer. I also discuss and recommend the importance of balance in our lives, which is a major philosophy of Ayurvedic Medicine, “balance between body, mind and spirit” (What is the philosophy, n.d.). I stress how healthy choices regarding diet, exercise and relationships can impact a patient’s physical, emotional and spiritual balance in their life.

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in complementary medicine, and indeed alternative medicine (Lee-Treweek 2002, Andrews 2004, Barry 2006). Moreover the number of professionally trained therapist and practitioners has increased giving the patient/client a better choice and at more competitive rates (Smallwood, 2005).

Alternative remedies, sometimes known as complementary remedies, offer a wide variety of products and methods in improving well-being separate from contemporary medicinal practices. According to

Although "Alternative" or "Complementary" medicine has been kept on the fringes of the medical sciences in the past, it is becoming increasingly more popular, and more reputable. Alternative medicines are those medical systems which are not taught to or practiced by most conventional medical doctors. Alternative medicines seemingly have always existed, changing and conforming to the current climate of society. There seems to be an almost endless number of alternative medicines, each with their own method of gaining perfect health. Often people who are dissatisfied with conventional medicine turn to alternative medicine for their medical needs. Many similarities link the diverse extremities of alternative medicine.