Chapter 44 Complementary and Alternative Medicine Medical Assisting PowerPoint® presentation to accompany: Medical Assisting Third Edition Booth, Whicker, Wyman, Pugh, Thompson

Standard 15 Review health topics surrounding complementary and alternative medicine such as acupuncture, biofeedback, and herbal treatments. Develop a public service announcement or academic poster presentation intended to inform consumers or health professionals about the specific topic. Include general information, purported benefits, uses in the United States, side effects and/or risks, relevant research, cost, and links to more information. Cite evidence from print and digital resources such as research journals, the National Institute of Health, the Mayo Clinic, and Medline Plus.

Introduction More than 30% of adults use complementary and alternative therapies Relieve problems Promote wellness No relief from traditional treatments Some physicians use a combination of CAM and traditional therapies

What Is CAM? A group of practices and products that are not part of conventional medicine Allopathy – conventional medicine or common and usual practice Complementary medicine – used with conventional medicine Alternative medicine – used instead of conventional medicine

What Is CAM? (cont.) Scientific evidence concerning safety and effectiveness Available for some CAM therapies Research continues so information changes Integrative medicine Evolves as CAM therapies are adopted by conventional medicine Combination of both

Types of CAM Shared similarities Categories Individualized treatments, good nutrition, and preventative health practices Holistic Promote self-care and self-healing Recognition of one’s spiritual nature Categories Alternative medical systems Mind-body interventions Biologically-based therapies Manipulative and body-based methods Energy therapies

Types of CAM: Alternative Medical Systems Evolved apart from conventional medicine Homeopathic medicine Treating syndromes and conditions with remedies that produce similar syndromes and conditions in healthy people Remedy Produces the symptoms it is given to treat in order to stimulate the body’s natural defenses to heal itself Must meet FDA standards

Types of CAM: Alternative Medical Systems (cont.) Homeopathic medicine Looks at individuals, not diseases Initial in-depth assessment Follow-up – how they are responding

Types of CAM: Alternative Medical Systems (cont.) Naturopathic medicine Relies on the healing power of the body to establish, maintain, and restore health Primary health care Nutritional / lifestyle counseling Dietary supplements / medicinal plants Exercise Homeopathy / traditional Chinese medicine

Types of CAM: Mind-Body Interventions Enhance the mind’s capacity to affect bodily function and symptoms Support groups and cognitive-behavioral therapy now part of traditional medicine Scientific support Placebo effect – WW II 35% of therapeutic response is due to belief

Types of CAM: Mind-Body Interventions (cont.) Most commonly used forms of CAM Types Prayer Yoga Meditation Hypnosis Biofeedback

Types of CAM: Biologically-Based Therapies Use substances found in nature Dietary supplements Herbal products Foods

Types of CAM: Biologically-Based Therapies (cont.) Dietary supplements Manufacturers –> no evidence of effectiveness or safety No standardization to ensure consistency and quality Types Vitamins Minerals Herbals – no established recommended daily amount Recommended daily amount established by the FDA

Types of CAM: Manipulative and Body-Based Methods Based on the manipulation and/or movement of one or more parts of the body Types Massage therapy Chiropractic manipulation Reflexology Alexander technique Bowen technique Craniosacral therapy Feldenkrais method Rolfing Trager bodywork Tui Na

Types of CAM: Manipulative and Body-Based Methods (cont.) Massage Pressure, kneading, stroking, vibration, and tapping to positively affect health Effects Relaxation Counteracts effects of stress Lowers heart rate and blood pressure Reduces pain / relaxes muscle spasms Improves concentration Promotes restful sleep Helps the mind relax

Types of CAM: Manipulative and Body-Based Methods (cont.) Swedish massage Stimulates circulation and lymph flow 5 basic strokes Neuromuscular massage Release tension, relieves pain and pressure on nerves, and increases blood flow Trigger point therapy Seated massage Focuses on back and neck

Types of CAM: Manipulative and Body-Based Methods (cont.) Chiropractic medicine Adjustments Manual treatments to re-align the vertebra and restore function of spinal nerves Chiropractor Performs an exam and takes a history Tests X-rays Muscle testing Analyzes posture

Types of CAM: Energy Therapies Bioeletromagnetic-based therapies Balances the electromagnetic fields of the body No scientific evidence of efficacy Magnetic therapy Most common type Magnets are used to correct disturbances of electromagnetic fields and restore health FDA – no medical value but relatively harmless Avoid for patients with pacemaker or defibrillator

Types of CAM: Energy Therapies Biofield therapies Manipulate energy field surrounding the body Reiki Based on qi Visualization and touch balance energy flow to bring healing energy to organs and glands Therapeutic touch “Laying-on of hands” Hands direct human energies to help or heal No scientific evidence of efficacy