Basic Nursing: Foundations of
Skills & Concepts
Chapter 13
ALTERNATIVE/
COMPLEMENTARY
THERAPIES
Nontraditional Therapies

Ever increasing numbers of health care
consumers are using nontraditional
treatment modalities.
Complementary & Alternative
Therapies:

Alternative Therapies are used instead of
conventional or mainstream medical
modalities.

Complementary Therapies are used in
conjunction with conventional or
mainstream medical modalities.
Roots of Nontraditional
Therapies
Ancient Greece: massage, art therapy,
herbal therapy.
 The Far East: Energetic-touch
therapies.
 China: Acupuncture, herbalism.
 India: Ayurvedic medicine.

The Shamanistic Tradition
Shamanism refers to the practice of
entering altered states of consciousness
with the intent of helping others.
 The shaman is a folk healer-priest.

Modern Trends
Modern medicine is looking to nontraditional
medicine for insight into two main areas:
 Mind/Body Medicine and Research.
 Holism and Nursing Practice.
Mind/Body Medicine and
Research

The traditional medical model is founded
on the belief that the mind, body, and
spirit are separate entities. A relatively
new field of science, however, is called:
Psychoneuroimmunology.
Psychoneuroimmunology

The study of the complex relationship
among the cognitive, affective, and
physical aspects of humans.
Bodymind
.

The inseparable connection and operation
of thoughts, feelings, and physiological
functions.
Holism and Nursing Practice
As a healing facilitator, the nurse enters into
a relationship with the client and can be a:
 Guide.
 change agent.
 instrument of healing.
Nurse as Instrument of Healing
To serve in this capacity, a nurse should
develop the following attributes:

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
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Knowledge base.
Intentionality (having conscious direction of goals).
Respect for differences.
Ability to model wellness.
Using Alternative &
Complementary Therapies


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
Have a nonjudgmental attitude.
Ask clients if they use nontraditional therapies.
Get instruction in these therapies before trying to
administer them.
Try one or two basic therapies (e.g. massage or guided
imagery).
Discuss a therapy with the client before using it.
Common Elements of Alternative &
Complementary Interventions



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The whole system is considered.
The person is integrated and related to the
surroundings.
There exists some life force or energy to be used in the
healing process.
Ritual, prescribed practice and skilled practitioners are
vital to holistic healing interventions.
Mind/Body (Self-Regulatory)
Techniques

Methods by which an individual can,
independently or with assistance,
consciously control some functions of the
sympathetic nervous system (e.g. heart
rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure).
Leading Mind/Body Techniques
Meditation
 Relaxation
 Imagery
 Biofeedback
 Hypnosis

Meditation
Quieting the mind by focusing the
attention.
 Benefits include: stress relief, relaxation,
reduced level of lactic acid, decreased
oxygen consumption, slowed heart rate,
decreased blood pressure, improved
functioning of the immune system.

Relaxation

A therapeutic process incorporating the
basic elements of meditation.

Basic elements include: a quiet
environment, a comfortable position,
focused attention, a passive attitude,
practice.
Imagery

A technique of using the imagine to
visualize a soothing, pleasant image.

Benefits include: decreased physical
tension, anxiety, and the adverse effects
of chemotherapy.
Biofeedback

The measurement of physiological
responses that yields information about
the relationship between the body and
mind and helps clients learn ways to
manipulate those responses through
mental activity.
Uses of Biofeedback

A restorative method in rehabilitation settings for clients
who have lost sensation and function as result of injury
or illness.

To relieve tension headaches, migraines and backache.

To reduce bruxism (grinding of the teeth) To lower blood
pressure.

Temperature biofeedback useful in treating Raynaud’s
disease.
Therapeutic Hypnosis
Induces an altered state of consciousness
or awareness resembling sleep during
which the person is more receptive to
suggestion.
 Hypnosis also enhances client’s ability to
form images (for guided imagery).

Body-Movement Therapies

Therapies employing techniques of
moving or manipulating various body
parts to achieve therapeutic outcomes.
Leading Body-Movement
Strategies
Movement and Exercise
 Yoga
 Tai Chi
 Chiropractic Therapy

Energetic-Touch Therapies

Techniques of using the hands to direct or
redirect the flow of the body’s energy
fields and thus enhance balance within
those fields.
Leading Energetic-Touch
Therapies
Therapeutic massage
 Therapeutic touch
 Healing touch
 Shiatsu
 Acupressure
 Reflexology

Cultural Considerations of Touch
Ask permission before touching a client.
 Tell the client what is going to happen.
 The meaning of touch and the body areas
acceptable to touch vary from culture to
culture.

Leading Spiritual Therapies
Spiritual therapies can be helpful
modalities in caring for clients. Important
spiritual therapies include:
Faith healing.
 Healing Prayer.
 Shamanism.

Leading Nutritional/Medicinal
Therapies
Phytochemicals.
 Antioxidants and Free Radicals.
 Macrobiotic Diet.
 Herbal Therapy.

Phytochemicals
Non-nutritive, physiologically active
compounds present in plants in very small
amounts.
 Protect against cancer and prevent heart
disease, stroke, and cataracts.
 Source: fruits and vegetables.

Antioxidants and Free Radicals

Antioxidants: substances that prevent or
inhibit oxidation, a chemical process
whereby a substance is joined to oxygen.

Free radicals: Antioxidants prevent tissue
damage related to these, which are
unstable molecules that alter genetic
codes and trigger the development of
cancer growth.
Other Important Methodologies
Aromatherapy.
 Humor.
 Pet Therapy.
 Music Therapy.
 Play Therapy.

Important Terms Associated
with Treatment Modalities

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Proven - have been scientifically tested in
clinical trials.
Experimental - are undergoing FDA
investigations.
Untested - have not been investigated by FDA.
Folklore - passed through generations.
Quackery - no proven effectiveness, may harm
consumer.