...a clear benefit. As for acupuncture, there are actually a lot more well-designed studies done on this field when compared to Chinese herbs, mostly because Europe and the West have become very interested over the last couple decades and are funding better clinical trials. The evidence trail is building, which is great for everyone. So, what works, and what doesn’t? The New York Times has a very readable article (http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/23/studying-acupuncture-one-needle-prick-at-a-time/?hpw) which covers this issue. The gist of the article discusses the most recent, well-designed studies on back pains and other disorders; the studies usually show no difference between acupuncture and placebo (usually a “sham” needle that doesn’t penetrate the skin). In other words, the best studies lately are usually showing that most of the perceived effect from acupuncture is simply a placebo effect. These recent findings are by no means surprising, as most of the best studies have been reporting similar conclusions for many years. The best collection of acupuncture research is from the Cochrane Review Group, which performs the world’s most rigorous reviews of all treatments, including alternative medicines. They have an outstanding collection of the best literature on acupuncture (http://www.thecochranelibrary.com/details/collection/691705/Acupuncture-ancient-tradition-meets-modern-science.html) which details the best evidence regarding a number of acupuncture treatments...
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...turned 65 and has tried everything within the orthodox health system to try and ease the condition but unfortunately nothing has been successful in helping her and is still suffering from persistent pain. Prescribed medication has been tried to see if that would help Eileen’s condition but she claims to experience awful side effects and would rather not take any medication, because of the side effects Eileen has been experiencing they have started to make Eileen feel overly stressed for no real reason, due to this Eileen has been considering a couple of different complementary therapies which have been recommended by some close friends and family. The two therapies that Eileen has been researching and considering are acupuncture and osteopathy. * Acupuncture is said to help relieve pain by either diverting or changing the painful sensations that are sent to the brain to then alert you to the pain within the body. (Arthritis Research UK) * Osteopathy is also said to help relieve pain that individuals experience for a number of different reasons, this is done by improving mobility and reducing inflammation by using gentle, manual osteopathic techniques. (Hoddesdon osteopathic & sports injury clinic , 2016) Case study – Eileen is a 68 year old pensioner who suffers with arthritis, her arthritis has been getting worse since she turned 65 and has tried everything within the orthodox health system to try and ease the condition but unfortunately nothing has been successful...
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...Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Today’s Nursing Practice Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Today’s Nursing Practice Complementary and Alternative Medicine is becoming more and more prevalent in the healthcare world as an acceptable treatment modality. Due to increase in patient demand for these treatments, it is important for the nurses to be able to implement various CAM into their nursing practice to provide holistic care for their patients. It is also important for nurses to be knowledgeable about the various forms of therapy and its benefits. CAM is meeting the needs of many consumers due to various reasons. The increase in healthcare cost has encouraged many consumers to research alternative methods to help cope with various medical conditions as opposed to turning to the pharmacological methods that were typically accepted years ago. Consumers also have more access to new trials and studies in regards to CAM because of increased access to the internet and media. Because of this, patients are more involved in their own healthcare and treatment decisions than in the previous years. According to the National Center of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 1 in 4 adults from various backgrounds are currently using CAM therapies. (“The use of, 2011) Some of the most common medical reasons patients decide to try CAM therapies are problems with anxiety and depression, reoccurring nausea and pain related to cancer, and symptom management related to...
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...Lichtman Traditional Acupuncture Thesis: Acupuncture has some therapeutic benefits. Purpose: To inform my audience of what acupuncture is, how it works, and the benefits that follow treatments. Introduction: I. How many of you know what acupuncture is? A. Acupuncture is a 3,000-year-old healing technique of Traditional Chinese Medicine. B. By understanding acupuncture, how it works, and what goes on during appointments, you’ll be more open to getting this sort of treatment. [FIRST, YOU MIGHT BE WONDERING] Body: I. What is Acupuncture? How does it work? A. Acupuncture is an age-old healing practice form of Chinese Medicine that’s been around for centuries now and it involves the insertion of very thin needles through the patient's skin at specific points on the body. B. It's based on the theory that energy, called chi, flows through and around your body along pathways called meridians. Each meridian corresponds to one organ, or group of organs, that governs particular bodily functions. This constant flow of energy keeps the yin and yang forces balanced. However, if chi gets blocked, the disruption can lead to pain, lack of function, or illness. C. Acupuncture seeks to release chi by stimulating points along 14 energy pathways. Scientists say the needles cause the body to release endorphins -- natural painkillers -- and may boost blood flow and change brain activity. [YOU MIGHT ASK] II. What happens during acupuncture? A. First...
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...Acupuncture Acupuncture originates from China and has been practiced there for thousands of years. Although there are records of acupuncture being used hundreds of years ago in Europe, it was during the second half of the twentieth century. Acupuncture started to spread rapidly in Western Europe, United States, and Canada. It does have some therapeutic benefits, including pain relief and alleviation from nausea caused by chemotherapy. You don't need Chinese philosophy either to make it work, or to practice it. The Chinese have developed complex theories and philosophies of acupuncture that form the foundation of their traditional medical system. Without argument, they were the most influential in developing this unique form of medicine into what it is today. Acupuncture works in many different ways on a human body. Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin needles through the patient’s skin at specific points on the body the needles are inserted to various depths. Acupuncture points are seen by Western practitioners as places where nerves, muscles and connective tissue can be stimulated. Acupuncture practitioners say that the stimulation increases blood flow while at the same time triggering the activity of our own body's natural painkillers. Through 350 acupuncture points in the body, these meridians and energy flows may be accessed. Illness is said to be the consequence of an imbalance of the forces. If needles are inserted into these points with appropriate combinations...
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...Acupuncture: New Uses for an Ancient Remedy General Purpose: To inform. Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about what happens during acupuncture, how it works, what it can treat, and its use in Western culture. Central Idea: Acupuncture is the insertion of needles into the skin that can improve the flow of energy, can treat a wide range of medical conditions, and is being used combination with Western medicine. Pattern of Organization: Topical Introduction Six months ago, my 78-year-old grandmother was quickly losing her independence. Severe arthritis in both knees hampered her ability to take care of herself. Shopping, getting around the neighborhood, even walking down her front steps was becoming almost impossible. Pain medications helped somewhat, but the side effects created their own problems. Then her doctor suggested acupuncture. My grandmother was skeptical at first, but she was willing to try just about anything. She did and the results were miraculous. After six weeks, her pain and stiffness were significantly reduced. She was able to take care of her apartment again. She could get out on her own to go shopping, to visit friends and family, and to do the other things her arthritis had prevented in the past. Acupuncture restored her quality of life and her independence. My grandmother’s story is not unique. Performed for well over 2, 000 years in China and other parts of Asia, acupuncture is becoming...
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...All of which need no or light touch. This second group also uses Energy to heal, but this needs some touching or body manipulation. There are eight systems covered: 1. Acupressure 2. Aromatherapy 3. Crystal Therapy 4. Magnet Therapy 5. Music Therapy 6. Self massage 7. Sujok 8. Taichi and qigong There is a separate book for each. This one is about Sujok Therapy. I have tested all the links mentioned. As on May 2010, all links are secure, correct and working. You should look for more as you surf. You may find many that will suit to your needs. This is just a first step. Please feel free to share this with anyone you like. 2 of 23. Sujok Therapy Introduction Sujok is a drug free system using and manipulating energy points like acupuncture and acupressure. But here the organs and systems of the body are represented totally in the hands and feet only. It is similar to Reflexology in concept. It is developed by Prof. Park Jae Woo, a Korean Scientist, about 35 Years ago. "Sujok" is a combination of two words. In Korean 'Su' means hands and 'Jok' means feet. Thus, SuJok actually means treating hands and feet. Sujok Therapy incorporates the best of traditional oriental medicine practices and terminology. It recognizes energy systems of meridians, and chakras and has similar as well as different...
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...Acupressure and Acupuncture as an alternative medical treatment. Alternative medical treatments and cures are increasingly becoming more popular. These treatments or cures are thought to be helpful in treating various medical conditions. They can be safe as long as the practitioner is properly trained and licensed. Before deciding to try acupressure or acupuncture, it is best to learn about these techniques ( Newell, 2015) and check the similarities and difference between the two. Acupressure differs from acupuncture in terms of specialised equipment used, the areas that are stimulated during the procedure, and the healing messages send throughout the human body. Acupressure is an old ancient healing art developed by Chinese people in...
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...Piercing the skin with needles seems like a peculiar notion and the possibility that this could have any health benefits seems a bizarre concept, at least from the biomedical perspective. Yet, acupuncture is now a common form of treatment for many ailments and most towns in New Zealand have an acupuncture clinic (Dew, 2003). However, there have been several social, political, medical and regulatory processes and forces by which acupuncture has become this integrated into mainstream health services. This discussion will focus on four of these processes, which include providing evidence which is in accordance with biomedical constructions of evidence, use of needles as a boundary object, the rise of integrative medicine and subsidisation of the...
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...How Acupuncture Is Beneficial In Reducing Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia affects nearly 5 million Americans, particularly women. This disorder is described by diffuse tenderness and widespread pain. Even though there would not be cure, tailored acupuncture may offer some welcome respite as per a new study. Though very hard to categorize, fibromyalgia seems to be a rheumatic condition as it will impair soft tissues as well as joints by causing pain. Along with it, fibromyalgia carries many other life-disrupting symptoms varying from one individual to other. Some of these symptoms include headaches, stiffness, irritable bowel syndrome and also sensitivity to sounds, temperature and bright lights as well. The accurate cause of fibromyalgia is not well understood, but hypothesized culprits include stressful or traumatic life events along with repetitive injuries. There may also be connections to several other diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Some researchers even believe that there would be a genetic element at work. As there would not be any...
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...“Can acupuncture therapies make a valuable contribution to health in today’s society?” Introduction: Acupuncture is a natural practice that originated in China over 2000 years ago. It involves the insertion of fine needles into particular point, known as anatomical points , which alter the disease process and treat illnesses. For hundreds of years acupuncture has proven to be a successful form of treatment and has been formally recognised as a “mainstream medicine healing option” . Currently acupuncture is used as either a complimentary or alternative treatment, which it demonstrates a high success rate, however is it really necessary? With the introduction of new western medicines and the availability of new treatments, can acupuncture therapies...
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...Treatment Types for Oncologic Pain James Skelton Mercy College of Health Sciences Treatment Types for Oncologic Pain Nearly all those who are diagnosed with cancer will have some kind of pain associated with the disease process. This pain may be visceral, neuropathic, procedural, or psychological in nature. This paper is a discussion of the different procedural guidelines that are currently used by the World Health Organization in the treatment of oncologic pain. This is also a look at alternative therapies that may be used in conjunction with the previously accepted pharmacological treatment of Western medicine. Article Summary One The article written by Fielding, Sanford, and Davis (2013) is a review of the current step-by-step guidelines the WHO has had in place for some time along with a comprehensive assessment of pain, the use of opioids and their adverse affects, the role of adjuvants, and non-pharmacological means of cancer pain treatment. The WHO bases its algorhythm on simplistic, broad categories such as mild, moderate, and severe pain. The article itself is geared towards nurses because they have a unique role in advocating for the patient. The WHO has had a three step analgesic ladder that it has used as a basis for cancer pain treatment for nearly 30 years now. Fielding, et al. (2013), stated that health professionals need to go beyond this three step ladder that focuses primarily on physical pain. Cancer pain is not just a physical but a biopsychosocial...
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...Acupuncture versus Acupressure For thousands of years, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been recognized as the primary medical care throughout East Asia. Today, much of the western world considers TCM an alternate medical system. Acu-Therapy is the most recognized of the TCM system. The system is based on acu points that may affect organ systems of the body. The benefits are of great reward, for pain and ill-health are treated using various treatments and procedures of Acu-Therapy. Acupuncture and Acupressure are the two major treatments of Acu-Therapy. Although the 2 therapies share the same benefits of TCM, they contrast in application, the advantages, and from whom the treatment is administered. Acupuncture employs the use of long thin needles that are inserted through the skin at specific acu-points. Acupressure is applied by the use of finger pressure. The skin is pressed at choreographed acu-points. Depending on treatment, Acupuncture needles may be inserted as superficial as the dermal layer of the skin or as deep as the muscle belly. Acupressure has a strict system of five grams of finger pressure. Acupuncture is an evasive treatment, leaving the patient’s skin exposed during treatment. Acupressure treatments are non evasive; clients may be fully clothed to receive treatment. Considering the application of Acupuncture and Acupressure, there are different advantages between the two modalities. Acupuncture provides immediate results in treatment. ...
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...reasons as such, people turn to complementary and alternative medicine to ease the pain, specifically acupuncture therapy. For reasons not quite fully understood, this therapy helps to treat headaches in positive outcomes for the majority of people. Acupuncture therapy is an alternative to the normal standard form of treatment that can virtually have no side effects, is much less invasive, and has no need drugs that need to be metabolized by the body. Acupuncture: What You Need To Know. (2014, November 1). https://nccih.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/introduction#hed3 According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, acupuncture is defined as a “technique in which practitioners stimulate specific points on the body—most often by inserting thin needles through the skin.” This Internet source article reviews what acupuncture is and what it can be used for in alternative medicine. For headache treatments, acupuncture may help relieve the pain from headaches and the amount of headaches one gets. In 2009, some studies were reviewed showing that acupuncture compared to drugs helped people with tension-type headaches. Also in 2012, studies were conducted to show the effectiveness of acupuncture on migraine and tension headaches, which in fact reduced the frequency and severity of the pain. Cady, R. K., & Farmer, K. (2015). Acupuncture in the Treatment of Headache: A Traditional Explanation of an Ancient Art....
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...Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA- 19122. E-mail: tud45169@temple.edu ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE FOR ALLERGIES AND RHINITIS IN ADULTS 2 Abstract The nose is one of the defensive organs of the body that helps in maintaining the homeostasis of the body. The nerves in the nasal mucosa and paranasal sinuses contribute to their function. If the nose or the sinuses gets disturbed, the nerve also gets affected thus affecting the nervous system. There is a serious of events that happen when the nasal mucosa encounters with an allergen. Certain symptoms of the allergic rhinitis are the self defense mechanism of the nose, but some are due to the interference in the nerves between the nervous system and the nose. Alternative medicine encompasses acupuncture, homeopathy, phytotherapy, chiropractic, and several others. They all help in restoring the balance in the body and the connection between the nervous system and the nose. By clearing out the disturbances in the body, the body can heal on its own through its healing power. The feedback from alternative treatment for allergic rhinitis is solely depended on the individual. Keywords: nasal mucosa, alternative medicine, nervous system, sinuses. ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE FOR ALLERGIES AND RHINITIS IN ADULTS 3 Complementary treatments for Allergies and Rhinitis Rhinitis and rhinosinusitis happen due to two main reasons such hypersensitivity to certain substances or non- hypersensitivity route. There is a...
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