Introduction to Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Local Community College
Kelly Forrest, RN
Syllabus
Course Material
Each week, we will learn about the science behind different CAM modalities with a focus on stress
reduction techniques.
Course Objectives
To provide the student a brief overview of stress reduction techniques using a variety of
complementary and alternative medicine modalities.
To provide the student with opportunities for self-discovery and personal growth.
To prepare students with a working knowledge of ethics and professionalism when looking for a CAM
practitioner.
Class Time Expectations
Students are expected to come to class on time and to wear comfortable clothing.
Students are expected to be willing to try new techniques with an open mind.
Students are expected to be courteous and respectful of each other.
Cell phone settings must be silent and set to no-vibrate.
Personal Progress
-Suggested weekly activities will be discussed each class.
-Students are encouraged to journal their experiences and progress.
I.
Introduction to Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Local Community College
Kelly Forrest, RN
Lecture I
Introduction (~20 minutes)
A. Brief instructor biography and class member introductions – have class members include
why they enrolled in the class and what they want to learn most.
B. Review syllabus.
C. Define Complementary and Alternative Medicine and discuss its continued integration with
Western medicine.
II.
Overview of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (~20 minutes)
A. Ask class members what they know about complementary and alternative medicine.
B. Brainstorm on the chalkboard all the modalities class members identify.
C. Ask class members to share their experiences with some of the modalities.
III.
Guided Meditation (~20 minutes)
A. Explain physiology of brain waves and how meditation affects the body.
B. Lead class members in Quick Coherence Technique® meditation (see handout).
C. Ask class members to share their experiences with the meditation.
D. Refer class members to website link (see further readings).
IV.
Deep Breathing (~20 minutes)
A. Spend 2 minutes having class members pay attention to their breath. Ask class members if
their breathing patterns changed once they became mindful of their breathing.
B. Describe the physiology of deep breathing and how as humans we unlearn deep breathing
with age and stress. Explain how deep breathing affects our stress levels.
C. Spend 5 minutes in self-paced deep breathing.
D. Ask class members to share their experiences with the deep breathing exercise.
V.
Summary (~10 minutes)
A. Review Complementary and Alternative Medicine and its uses.
B. Review the benefits of guided meditation and deep breathing.
C. Allow time for questions.
D. Homework: ask class members to try deep breathing or meditation every day.
Handouts: Quick Coherence Technique and Deep Breathing
Introduction to Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Local Community College
Kelly Forrest, RN
Lecture 2
I.
Welcome (~15 minutes)
A. Ask class members about their experiences with the daily stress reduction exercises.
B. Ask class members to compare their stress levels with the prior week.
C. Time for questions.
II.
Healing Touch (~30 minutes)
A. Briefly overview the many types of energy work and the scientific studies behind Healing Touch.
B. Share and explain visual aids on the chakra system (see The Chakra Map, interactive website
listed under further readings)
C. Have students experience their own energy field by rubbing their hands quickly together and
then slowly pulling and pushing their hands towards each other.
D. Review self-chakra connection technique (see handout).
E. Practice the self-chakra connection technique.
III.
Qi Gong (~30 minutes)
A. Briefly overview the history and basic teachings of Qi Gong.
B. Group practice exercise: Qi Gong breathing (pursed lips, tongue behind top teeth)
C. Discuss the benefits of Qi Gong: stronger bones, improved balance, and inner peace.
D. Group exercise practice: support heaven like a pillar, wave hands like clouds, part the wild
horse’s mane, grasp the wild bird’s tail, separating heaven and earth.
E. Refer class members to YouTube video (see further readings) for more information.
IV.
Summary (~15 minutes)
A. Review Healing Touch, Qi Gong and professional standards.
B. Questions
C. Homework: continue to practice some form of CAM daily.
Handout: Healing Touch Self-Chakra Technqiue
Introduction to Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Local Community College
Kelly Forrest, RN
Lecture 3
I.
Welcome (~10 minutes)
A. Ask class members about their experiences with the daily stress reduction exercises.
B. Again discuss the differences in perceived stress levels.
C. Time for questions.
II.
Class Review (~30 minutes)
A. Review CAM, practitioner credentials and client safety.
B. Review guided meditation, deep breathing, self-chakra connection, Qi Gong.
C. Time for questions.
III.
Professional Standards and Ethics (~30 minutes)
A. Encourage class members to ask practitioners regarding credentials and certifications.
B. Discuss scope of practice – practitioners (unless they are physicians) cannot diagnose, prescribe
or treat any health conditions and can only practice in their area of expertise.
C. Refer to Healing Touch Code of Ethics as an example (see further readings for link).
D. Discuss legal rights of the practitioner-client relationship.
IV.
Class Closing (~20 minutes)
A. Ask each class member to share what he/she learned during this course and what he/she will
incorporate into daily living
B. Thank class for participating
C. Time for questions.
Further Readings
The Chakra Map. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.devalilayoga.com/chakramapdl.html
Heart Math LLC. (2014). Quick Coherence® Technique. Retrieved from http://www.heartmath.com/personaluse/quick-coherence-technique.html
Healing Touch Program. (2014). Code of Ethics. Retrieved from
http://healingtouchprogram.com/resources/htp-ethics/code-of-ethics
Long White Cloud QiGong. (2012). Between Heaven and Earth QiGong. (video). Retrieve d from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzD4svzG9js
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2012). Meditation Training Program Shows
Brain Effects Even Outside a Meditative State. Retrieved from
http://nccam.nih.gov/research/results/spotlight/110112
Spiegel, D. (2003). Mind-Body Medicine (lecture). Retrieved from
https://nccam.nih.gov/training/videolectures/mindbody.htm
Local Resources
Modalities Discussed This Session
Meditation / Deep Breathing
Yoga-360
91 Bankview Drive, Frankfort IL
815-806-0360
Yoga-360.com
Healing Touch
Ann O’Malley, Certified Instructor
www.TouchHealer.com
Qi Gong
Tranquil Cloud Temple
13959 W Illinois Highway, Suite 2
New Lenox, IL 60451
815-463-0122
TranquilCloudTemple.com
Local Resources
Additional Modalities
Chiropractic / Acupuncture
Dr. Jeremy Marmo, DC
301 N White St Suite DD, Frankfort, IL 60423
(815) 469-9270
Marmospine.com
Massage
Sharon Nudi, LMT
http://www.mbwellstudio.com/
Joliet, IL
Hypnosis
Enlightened Healing Center
8600 West 159th Street, Suite 15
Orland Park, IL 60462
708-364-8887
EnlightenedHealingCenter.com