CAMs Flashcards
CAMs definition
an array of health care approaches with history of use or origins outside of mainstream or conventional medicine
united states-centric
considers what is “mainstream” or “conventional” within the context of the US and the US healthcare system
use of complementary, integrative and alternative therapies
-stress induced illness
-managed by symptoms of chronic diseases
-addressing emotional and spiritual needs
-improve quality of life
-improve general well being
nursing accessible therapies
-breathing, thinking & concentration, presence, movement
-do not need extra training for these
-evaluate pt response to these therapies
relaxation therapy
reduces generalized cognitive, physiological and/or behavioral arousal; occurs through techniques that incorporate repetitive mental focus and the adoption of a calm, peaceful attitude
goals of relaxation therapy
for people to continually monitor themselves for indicators of tension and to consciously let go and release the tension
progressive relaxation
the person learns to detect subtle localized muscle tension sequentially, one muscle group at a time and differentiates among tension and relaxation (not indicted for pt’s w/ advanced disease or low energy reserve)
passive relaxation
still the mind and body intentionally without the need to tighten and relax any body part (best for pts who aren’t strong enough for progressive)
clinical applications of relaxation therapy
-lower bp
-decrease HR
-decrease muscle tension
-improve well being
-reduce symptom distress
limitations of relaxation therapy
reports of increased sensitivity in detecting muscle tension, may get new symptoms that indicate progression of an existing condition or new illness (need to constantly assess pts physiological & psychological status)
meditation
any activity that limits stimulus input by focusing attention to a single unchanging stimulus (general terms for a range of practices that relax the body and still the mind)
clinical applications of meditation & breathing
-lowers oxygen consumption
-reduces resp rate
-reduces heart rate
-improves feelings of well being
-reduces anxiety
medication & breathing limitations
-continuously assess
-bad for pts w/ fear of losing control
-may cause hypertension
-can increase the effects of a certain drug
imagery
uses the conscious mind to create images to stimulate physical changes in the body improve perceived well being, and/or enhance self awareness “pictures waves reaching the shore as you inhale and going back as you exhale”
creative visualization
self directed imagery that is based on the principle of mind body connectivity “go to a calming place”
clinical applications of imagery
-control/relieve pain
-reduces stress related symptoms
-improves sleeps
-can relieve symptoms associated with chronic conditions
imagery limitations
-continuously asses the client
-clients with COPD or asthma may experience increased airway constriction
biofeedback (need extra training)
-mind body technique
-uses instruments to teach control over physiological responses
-measures, process and provide info about tension, cardiac activity, res rates, brain wave patters and autonomic nervous system activity
-uses breathing, relaxation and imaging to gain voluntary control over HR and BP
biofeedback clinical applications
-reduce headache pain
-shown benefit as adjunctive therapy for post prostatectomy urinary incontinence
-improve fecal incontinence
-stroke recovery
Biofeedback limitations
-continuously assess pt
-use w/ precaution due to pt status
-may need meds adjustments as result
Acupuncture
regulates or realigns the vital energy, which flows through the body in channels that form a system of pathways called meridians
acupuncture clinical applications
-modifies pain response
-modifies processing of pain by central neural pathways
-low back pain
-myofascial pain
-chemo induced nausea & vomiting
-tension headaches / migraine prevention
-post op pain
Acupuncture limitations
-practitioner w/ appropriate training
-sterilized needles
-contraindicated in pts w/ bleeding disorders or skin infections
-use condition in pregnant pts, pts who have seizures & those with blood borne illnesses
therapeutic touch
uses the energy of the provider to positively influence the pt’s energy field
5 stages of therapeutic touch
centering, assessing, unruffling, treating and evaluating
therapeutic touch clinical applications
pain, dementia, trauma, anxiety
therapeutic touch limitation
-continuously assess your pt
-inappropriate for clients with sensitivity to touch or past traumatic experiences
-not indicated for people who are pregnant, neonates, unstable pts or dying pts
Chiropractic Therapy
uses manipulative body based therapy to normalize the relationship between structure and function, the belief is that body structure and the ability of the body to function normally are closely related
what does chiropractic therapy aim to restore
structural and functional imbalance
clinical application for chiropractic therapy
-improves pain
-can improve disability
-asthma in children and adolescents
limitations of chiropractic therapy
contraindicated in those w/ bone & joint infections, acute injury to the spinal cord caused by compression, fractures, dislocations, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis
natural products
a natural product is a chemical compound or substance produced by a living organism
herbal medicine
are not approved for use as drugs and are not regulated by the FDA (diet sups, vitamins, minerals, essential oils, probiotics)
Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act
allowed companies to sell herbs as dietary supplements with the caveat that they couldn’t make any sort of health claims on their labels (can say “helps with relaxation”)
clinical applications of natural/ herbal products
-depressive symptoms
-anti inflammatory effects
-blood sugar changes
limitations to natural/ herbal products
- natural does not mean safe
-can interact w/ prescribed meds
