Chapter 8

Question 1

Alternative medicine

Answer 1

A group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not currently considered part of conventional medicine and are used as alternatives to conventional treatment.

Question 2

Acupuncture

Answer 2

An ancient Chinese form of analgesia that consists of inserting needles into specific points on the skin and continuously stimulating the needles.

Question 3

Acupressure

Answer 3

The application of pressure rather than needles to the points used in acupuncture.

Question 4

Ayurveda

Answer 4

A system of medicine that originated in India more than 2,000 years ago; it emphasizes the attainment of health through balance and connection with all things in the universe.

Question 5

Probiotics

Answer 5

Consist of live microorganisms that occur naturally in the digestive tract that people take to enhance digestion or to remedy digestive problems.

Question 6

Functional foods

Answer 6

components of a normal diet that have biologically active components, such as soy, chocolate, cranberries, and other foods containing antioxidants.

Question 7

Chiropractic adjustments

Answer 7

involve applying pressure with the hands or with a machine that forces a joint to move beyond its passive range of motion.

Question 8

Mind–body medicine

Answer 8

the term applied to a variety of techniques based on the notion that the brain, mind, body, and behavior interact in complex ways and that emotional, mental, social, and behavioral factors exert important effects on health

Question 9

Transcendental Meditation

Answer 9

Par- ticipants who practice this type of meditation usually sit with eyes closed and muscles relaxed. They then focus attention on their breathing and silently repeat a sound, such as “om” or any other personally meaningful word or phrase, with each breath for about 20 minutes.

Question 10

Mindfulness meditation

Answer 10

In mindfulness meditation, people usually sit in a relaxed, upright posture and focus on any thoughts or sensations as they occur, trying to enhance their own awareness of their perceptions and thought processes in a nonjudgmental way

Question 11

Guided Imagery

Answer 11

people conjure up a calm, peaceful image, such as the repetitive rhythmic roar of an ocean or the quiet beauty of an outdoor scene. They then concentrate on that image for the duration of a sit- uation, often one that is painful or anxiety provoking

Question 12

Yoga

Answer 12

includes physical postures, breathing, and meditation, and its goal is to balance body, mind, and spirit.

Question 13

Qi Gong

Answer 13

the practice or cultivation (gong) of the qi (energy) by postures and simple movements that channel vital energy and restore balance in the body.

Question 14

Tai chi

Answer 14

involves slow, gentle movements that shift the weight while the person maintains an upright yet relaxed posture and controlled breathing

Question 15

Biofeedback

Answer 15

The process of providing feedback information about the
status of a biological system to that system.

Question 16

Electromyograph (EMG) feedback

Answer 16

Feedback that reflects activity of the skeletal muscles.

Question 17

Thermal biofeedback

Answer 17

Feedback concerning changes in skin temperature.

Question 18

Induction

Answer 18

The process of being placed into a hypnotic state.

Question 19

Raynaud’s disease

Answer 19

A vasoconstrictive disorder characterized by inadequate circulation in the extremities, especially the fingers or toes, resulting in pain.

Question 20

What medical systems represent alternatives to conventional medicine?

Answer 20

The alternative medical systems include TCM, Ayurvedic medicine, naturopathy, and homeop- athy. TCM and Ayurvedic medicine are ancient; naturopathy and homeopathy arose in the 19th century and gained popularity in the early 20th century. Each of these systems presents a theory of health and disease as well as practices for diagnosis and treatment. All of the alternative systems share the concept of vital energy and the notion that bringing the mind and body together is important to health.

Question 21

What products and diets count as alternative medicine?

Answer 21

Alternative products include dietary supplements, including nonvitamin products such as echinacea, glucosamine, omega-3 fatty acids, and a variety of herbs, extracts, and special foods that may be taken as curatives or preventatives. Diets such as the Atkins, Ornish, Zone, and various vegetarian diets may be undertaken to maintain or enhance health or to control risk factors for disease.

Question 22

What manipulative practices fall within alternative practices?

Answer 22

Manipulative techniques include chiropractic and massage

Question 23

What is mind–body medicine?

Answer 23

Mind–body medicine is the term applied to a variety of techniques that are based on the notion that the brain, mind, body, and behavior interact in complex ways and that emotional, mental, social, and behavioral factors exert important effects on health.

Question 24

Who uses complementary and alternative medicine?

Answer 24

Countries vary in CAM usage, and within countries, some demographic factors predict CAM use. Australia, Canada, and some European countries show higher percentages of the population seeking CAM treatments than in the United States. Within the United States, ethnicity shows some relationship to CAM use, with European American, well-educated, and upper-income individuals using CAM more often than others. In all countries, women are more likely than men to use CAM.

Question 25

What are the effective uses and limitations
of alternative treatments?

Answer 25

A variety of techniques are available to help people manage anxiety, stress, depression, pain, and other problems, and an increasing body of research indicates that some alternative treatments are effective in managing these problems. Limitations to CAM come from limited research on its effectiveness, but that situation is changing. Other limitations are similar to those of treatments in conventional medicine—hazards for some individuals using some treatments and drug interactions arising from the use of herbal treat- ments or dietary supplements.