1

ALTERNATIVE MODALITIS OF CARE

ALTERNATIVE SYSTEMS OF HEALTH &
COMPLEMENTARY THEORIES

INTRODUCTION
Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) include various healing process and therapies that
originate from around that are not based on conventional western medicines, these therapies are
called alternative medicines when they are used with conventional medicine.

DEFINITION
Complementary and alternative medicine or modalities (CAM) are defined by the National Center for
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), National Institutes of Health, as “health care
approaches with a history of use or origins outside of mainstream medicine.

BASIC CONCEPTS
 Several concepts are common to most alternative practices these are;
 Holism, humanism, balance, spirituality, energy and healing environments.

TYPES OF COMPLENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

Mind- body
techniques
Manipulative
Biologically
and body-
based
based
treatments
methods

COMPLEMENTARY
Alternative
medical AND Energy
system ALTERNATIVE therapies
MEDICINE
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ALTERNATIVE MEDICAL SYSTEM

Ayurveda

Naturo
Siddha
pathy
ALTERNATIVE
MEDICAL
SYSTEM

Homeo Unani &

pathy Tibbi

I. AYURVEDA
DEFINITION
Ayurveda is a system of healing based on homeopathy and naturopathy, with an extensive
use of herbs.
 Ayurveda (devnagari, the ‘science of life’)is a system of traditional medicine native to the
Indian Subcontinent, originated >5000 years ago and practiced in other parts of the world as
a form of alternative medicine.
 In Sanskrit, the word Ayurveda consists of the words ayus, meaning life, and Veda, meaning
‘related to knowledge’ or ‘science’.
 The earliest literature of Ayurveda appeared during the Vedic period in India.
 The Sushruta Samhita and the Charaka Samhita were influential works on traditional
medicine during this era.
 Aurvedic practioners also identified a number of medicinal preparations and surgical
procedures for curing various ailments and diseases.
 The famous treaties of Ayurveda are Charaka Samhita by Sage Charaka, which details the
prevention and treatment of disease, and Sushruta Samhita of sage Sushruta, which deals with
the Aurvedic system, the prevention of all types of diseases has a prominent place in
treatment, including restructuring a patient’s lifestyle to align with the course of nature and
the four seasons to guarantee complete wellness.
 It aids in maintaining good health, increasing longevity and overall quality of life.
 Ex.:- a) Terminalia Arjuna- useful in alleviating the pain of angina pectoris and in treating
heart failure and coronary artery disease.
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b) Black pepper and long pepper – these are combined with ginger to form the
traditional trikatu mixture in Ayurveda.
- This mixture increases appetite, promotes the secretion of digestive juices and
cures certain gastric disorders particularly Achlorhydria and Hypochloridia.

II. SIDHHA
DEFINITION
The Siddha medicine is a form of south Indian Tamil traditional medicine and part of trio
Indian medicines - Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani.
 This system of medicine was popular in ancient India, due to the antiquity of this medical
system, the Siddha system of medicine is believed to be the oldest medical system in the
known universe.
 The system is believed to be developed by the 9 Nath and 84 Siddhas in the north and18
Siddhas in the south called Siddhar.
 Siddharas were of the concept that a healthy soul can only be developed through a healthy
body. So they developed methods and medication that are believed to strengthen their
physical body and there by their souls.
 They practiced intense yogic practices, including years of fasting and meditation and believed
to have achieved supernatural powers and gained the supreme wisdom and overall
immortality.
 It is assumed that when the normal equilibrium of three humors (vatha, pitha and kapha) is
distributed, disease is caused.
 According to Siddha medicine system, diet and life style play a major role not only in health
but also in curing diseases.
 The treatment in this medicine is aimed at keeping the three humors in equilibrium and
maintenance of seven elements.
 According to therapies the treatments of Siddha medicines could be further categorized into
following categories such as; purgative therapy, emetic therapy, fasting therapy, steam
therapy, oleation therapy, physical therapy, solar therapy, and bloodletting therapy, yoga
therapy, etc.

III. UNANI AND TIBBI

 As an alternative form of medicine, Unani has found favour in Asia, especially India. In
India, these Unani practitioners can practice as qualified doctors, as the Indian government
approves their practice.
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 Is very close to Ayurveda medicine. Both are based in the theory of the elements ( in Unani,
they are considered to be fire, water, earth and air) in the human body.
 According to followers of Unani medicine, these elements are present in different fluids and
their balance leads to health and their imbalance leads to illness.
 All these elaborations were built on the basis Hippocratic theory of the three humours.
 Each person’s unique mixture of these substances determines his temperament: a
predominance of blood gives a sanguine his temperament; a predominance of phlegm makes
one phlegmatic: yellow bile, bilious (choleric); and black bile, melancholic.
 As long as these humors are in balance, the human system is healthy; its imbalance can result
in disease.

IV. HOMEOPATHY
DEFINITION
 It is a of therapy system of therapy based on the concept that disease can be treated with
drugs(in minute doses) which are capable of producing the same symptoms in healthy people
as the disease itself.
 It was developed in Germany I late 1700s, is based on the principle that like cures like.
 A substance that, when given in large doses, causes a set of symptoms is believed to cure the
same symptoms when it is given in minute doses.
 Remedies used in homeopathy are derived from naturally occurring substances, such as plant
extracts and minerals.
 Extremely low concentrations are prepared in a specific way. The more dilute the
homeopathic medicine, the stronger it is considered to be.
 Traditional scientists can find no scientific explanation for how the diluted remedies used in
homeopathy could cure diseases. However, homeopathy has few risks; rarely’ an allergic or
toxic reaction occurs.
 Homeopathic remedies prepared from healthy specimens are called sarcodes.

V. NATUROPATHY
DEFINITION
It is a system of therapy based on preventive care and on the use of heat, water, light, air and
massage as primary therapies for disease.
 This therapy began as a formal health care system in the U during the early 1900s.
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 Founded on the healing power of nature, naturopathy emphasizes prevention and treatment of
disease through a healthy lifestyle, treatment of the whole patient and use of the body’s
natural healing abilities.
 This system also focuses on finding the cause of a disease rather than merely treating
symptoms.
 The following therapies are considered to be of primary importance in the naturopathic
treatment of disease.

Nutrition &
dietic

Education Fasting

Healthy Structural
lifestyle adjustment

Hydrotherapy

a) NUTRITION & DIETIC

 This includes the prescription of a balanced wholesome, natural diet based on the
principles advocated by naturopathic practitioners.

b) FASTING
 It was advocated by Hippocrates as a treatment for many diseases, because it allowed the
body to concentrate its recourses on dealing with the disease rather than the processes of
digestion.
 Although it has recently begun to gain a reputation as an excellent and safe treatment for
conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, arthritis and rheumatism, various
allergies some psychiatric disorders.

c) STRUCTURAL ADJUSTMENT
 By such methods as osteopathy, chiropractic, neuromuscular technique, postural re-
education and remedial exercises, the naturopathic practitioner seeks to balance and
integrate the spin, muscles, ligaments and joints of the whole body.
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d) HYDROTHERAPY
 This is the use of water, both internally and externally in the form of baths, packs,
compresses, sprays and douches.
 Is of value in most conditions and rightly applied can give remarkable results in the
treatment of both acute and long-standing conditions.

e) HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
 This includes the general care of one’s body, the use of moderate physical exercise, the
cultivation of a positive approach to life and health, relaxation techniques etc.

f) EDUCATION
 In this , philosophy is just as important if not more so, to explain to the patient why
disease occurs and what the patient can do for him or herself to maintain the new,
improved level of health given to them by naturopathic treatment.
 In this way the patient is given responsibility for his or her health.

 Naturopathy is based on the belief that the body is self-healing.the body will repair itself and
recover from illness spontaneously if it is in a healthy environment.

BIOLOGICALLY BASED TREATMENTS

Herbal
medicine Nutritonal
therapy

i. HERBAL MEDICINE
DEFINITION
Are those medicines with active ingredients made from plant parts, such as leaves, roots or
flowers.
 Just like conventional medicines, herbal medicines will have an effect on the body and can
be potentially harmful if not used correctly.
 They should therefore be used with the same care and respect as conventional medicines.
 Ex .:
- Ginger is an effective remedy for nausea and vomiting.
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- Tea tree oil may be effective against fungal infections such as athlete’s foot.
- Vegetables from the alliums family (onions and garlic) may protect against certain
cancers if eaten regularly, specially cancers of the digestive tract.

II. NUTRITIONAL THERAPY

DEFINITION
It is a system of healing based on the belief that food, as nature intended provides the medicine
we need to obtain and maintain a state of health: our food is our medicine and our medicine is
our food.
 Is a holistic discipline; nutrition as the key to good health is the all-embracing fundamental
principle used since the time of Hippocrates, to help people of all ages.
 Today, new insights of food scientist play a significant role in the practice of nutritional
therapy as preventive medicine.

MIND-BODY TECHNIQUES

Meditation

Relaxation techniques

Guided imagery

Hypnotherapy

Biofeedback

I. MEDITATION
 In meditation, people regulate their attention or systematically focus on particular aspects
of inner or outer experience.
 It usually involves sitting or resting quietly, often with the eyes closed.
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 Sometimes, it involves the repetitive sounding of a phrase (a mantra) meant to help the
person focus.
 It often induces physical relaxation, mental calmness and favorable emotional states such
as loving-kindness and even-temperedness.

II. RELAXATION TECHNIQUES

 Are practices specifically designed to relieve tension and strain.
 It may be aimed at reducing activity of the nerves that control the stress response,
lowering blood pressure, easing muscle tension, slowing metabolic processes or altering
brain wave activity.

III. GUIDED IMAGERY

 It involves the use of mental images to promote relaxation and wellness, reduce pain or
facilitate healing of a particular ailment. Such as cancer or psychological trauma.
 The images can involve any of the senses and may be self-directed or guided by a
practioners, sometimes in a group setting.
 Guided imagery has not been thoroughly scientifically studied, but many people claim to
have had success with it.

IV. HYPNOTHERAPY
 In this, people are guided into an advanced state of relaxation and heightened attention.
 Hypnotized people become absorbed in the images suggested by the hypnotherapist and
are able to suspend disbelief.
 It can be used to help people change their behavior and thus improve their health.
 It is helpful in treating many conditions and symptoms in which psychological factors can
influence physical symptoms.

V. BIOFEEDBACK
 Is a method of bringing unconsciousness biologic processes under conscious control.
 It involves the use of electronic devices to measure and report back to the conscious mind
information.
 It has been shown to be clinically effective in treating certain problems (ex. Headaches,
incontinence, attention deficit disorder)
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MANIPULATIVE AND BODY-BASED METHODS

Tai Chi &

Yoga Chiropractice
Qigong

I. YOGA
 The fundamental idea behind the practice of yoga is to unite the individual self (jiva) with
the supreme or pure consciousness (Brahma).
 The main aim of yoga therapy is the mind/body integration which strike into he normal
healing properties of the body and helps to restore functions of your body and health
 The factual connotation of yoga is unification.
 Merging in this static realism liberates the spirit from all senses of separation. It liberates
the mind from the ignorance of time, space and causation.
 In present view, yoga is of the most helpful and healthy forms of experience to manage
the influence of thinking by turning psychological and physical force into spiritual
energy.
 It eases oneself from the cramped tension and also enhances the concentration.
 It cures all disease and controls the aging process.
 Yoga therapy consists of three basic parts of your body which work together.

Physical Breathing Relaxation

posture technique technique

a) Physical posture
 It helps to stretch and strengthen your muscles.
 It also improves your mobility, flexibility and balance.
 The proper postures enhance your body’s natural functions of circulation, elimination,
respiration and digestion.

b) Breathing technique
 It mainly focuses on awareness of breath and helps to promote calm, focus the mind and
relieve stress and fatigue.
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c) Relaxation therapy
 It mainly helps you to recharge and ease tension.

II. CHIROPRACTICE
 In this, the relationship between the structure of the spine and function of the nervous
system is thought to be the key in maintaining or restoring health.
 It is useful in treating low back pain, headaches and nerve impingement syndromes.
 Generally however the effect of manipulation on conditions not directly related to the
musculoskeletal system has not been established.

III. Tai Chi & Qi gong

 Tai Chi and Qi gong are centuries-old related mind and body practices.
 They involve certain postures and gentle movements with mental focus, breathing and
relaxation.
 The movements can be adapted or practiced while walking, standing or sitting.
 In contrast to Qi gong, Tai Chi movements if practiced quickly can be a form of combat
or self-defense.
 Practicing theses may improve balance and stability in older people and those with
Parkinson’s, reduce pain from knee osteoarthritis, help people cope with fibromyalgia and
back pain and promote quality of life and mood in people with heart failure and cancer.
 People practicing Tai Chi have documented less frequent headaches, diarrhea and are less
prone to anger, anxiety and frustration it boots their energy level and adds to their daily
activities

ENERGY THERAPIES

Massage
therapies Acupuncture

ENERGY
THERAPIES

Hand mediated
bio-field Reflexology
therapies
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I. MASSAGE THERAPIES
 In this, body tissues are manipulated to promote wellness and reduce pain and stress.
 The therapeutic value of massage for many musculoskeletal symptoms and stress is
widely accepted.
 Massage therapy is also effective in treating low birth weight infant, relieving chronic
constipation and controlling asthma.

II. ACUPUNCTURE
 A therapy within traditional Chinese medicine is one of the most widely accepted
alternative therapies in the Western world.
 Specific points on the body are stimulated, usually by inserting thing needle into the skin
and underlying tissues.
 Sometimes additional stimulated is added by using a very low voltage electric current by
twisting the needle or by warning the needle.
 Stimulating these specific points is believed to unlock the flow of Qi along energy
pathways (medians) and thus restore balance between yin and yang.
 The procedure is not painful but may cause a tingling sensation.
 A variation of acupuncture, called acupressure, uses localized massage instead of needled
to stimulate acupuncture points.
 Reasonable evidence supports the effectiveness of acupuncture as a pain reliever, an anti
nauseant and antiemetic.

III. REFLEXOLOGY
 A variant of massage therapy relies on manual pressure applied to specific areas of the
foot; these are believed to correspond to different organs or body systems via meridians.
 Stimulation of these areas is believed to eliminate the blockage of energy responsible for
pain or disease in the corresponding body part.

IV. HAND MEDIATED BIO FIELD TERAPIES

 Therapeutic touch (TT) is a mostly secular variant of faith healing, started by Dolores
Krieger in the early 1970s.
 The TT practitioner moves his hands over the patient’s body, specially the affected area,
without actually touching the patient..
 This practice is based on the belief that living begins have an energy field or aura which
extends beyond the surface of the body that can be manipulated by the therapist.
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OTHER THERAPIES

1 • Traditional chinese medicine

2 • Curenderismo

3 • Aroma therapy

4 • Spiritual therapy

5 • Music therapy

6 • Humor and laughter

7 • Bioelectric megnetic therapy

8 • Photo energy therapy

9 • Detoxification therapy

10 • Animal assisted therapy

11 • Horticulture therapy

IMPLICATIONS IN NURSING

 The significance of CAM awareness for acute and critical care nurses cannot be overemphasized. The
demographics of acute and critical care patients are rapidly changing because of increased immigration
and life expectancy. Cultural beliefs about health and illness may delay access to conventional care and
decrease medical adherence, often with catastrophic results.
 Use of CAM is reportedly increasing among elderly persons, including concomitant use of herbal
supplements with conventional medication.
 Adverse reactions due to poly pharmacy, increased sensitivity to some medications, and decreased
organ function for medication processing and clearance may be of greater concern to the elderly than
to younger persons.
 The overall increased use of CAM by patients who may think that these therapies are safe and who
have little understanding of the potential adverse effects place these patients at increased risk for
admission to an intensive care unit.
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 Examples of these effects include acute tubular necrosis (some traditional Chinese and Aurvedic
herbal medicines), severe hemorrhage (Gingko biloba, garlic, and ginger), hypertensive crisis and
cardiac arrhythmias (ginseng, yohimbe, and ephedrine), severe electrolyte disturbances (licorice),
and cerebro-vascular events (spinal manipulation, particularly when performed by non-licensed
practitioners).
 In patients with life-threatening illness for whom conventional care may have been unsuccessful or
escalation of care may be deemed too risky or no longer beneficial, CAM therapies may be considered
to enhance the patients’ comfort.
 More acute and critical care nurses have reported that they use various forms of CAM in their own self-
care to decrease stress and enhance health and well- being.
 Many nurses have reported becoming practitioners of these therapies to expand their own strategies to
provide holistic care to patients and families
 Various CAM therapies, particularly those that are biologically based or potentially disruptive to tissue,
may interfere with conventional medicine, resulting in serious adverse effects for patients who are
already physiologically compromised.
 It provides a wealth of resources for health professionals and consumers to promote safe
incorporation of CAM into the plan of care, including how to talk to patients and patients’ families
about their practices.
 Through awareness, acceptance, collaboration, and creativity, acute and critical care nurses can create
a safe and comfortable setting for patients and patients’ families.
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SUMMARY
The use of complementary and alternative medicine remains controversial, as it has arisen largely
from systems that are apart from conventional medicine. However, complementary and alternative
medicine is in widespread use in the community and this mandates that medical workers be educated.
In particular, its potential interaction with prescribed medicines needs to be discussed with patients.
Complementary and alternative medicine is most often used to complement conventional therapy
rather than as an alternative to it, and most often is directed at symptom relief. Some therapies have
become main stream, such as psychological therapies, and these have been demonstrated to improve
quality of life. Other complementary and alternative medicines have been the subject of research. For
example, ginger, acupuncture and hypnosis have all been shown to be effective in trials of their use
with chemotherapy induced emesis. Studies of prayer, however, highlight the methodological
challenges of researching complementary and alternative medicine. Patients’ perceptions of
complementary and alternative medicines are firmly divided into those who use them as part of a
holistic approach and those who reject them, usually on the basis that they are not curative. Little
work has been done on the complex interactions with family over the use of complementary and
alternative medicine, which can either be divisive or improve cohesion. Finally, the attempts to
practice integrative medicine are analyzed as a model for the way forward for patient centered care.
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CONCLUSION

A lot of research is being done in this field and new drugs for treating more illness are being
explored the side effect and the resistance to allopathic drug is becoming a human concern so, people
are turning to alternative approaches. So, the prospects of alternative approach in the future are
bright.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
 Chintamani “Lewis’s Medical Surgical Nursing” published by Mosby Elsevier India
Private Ltd. Page no:77-85
 Louise Rebaca Shives “Basic concepts of Psychiatric mental health Nursing” 7th Edition
published by Wolters Kluwer| Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, London. Page no:513-515
 Monahan Sands Neighbors Marek Greek “ PHIPPS’ medical surgical nursing health &
illness perspectives” 8th edition published by Mosby Elsevier India Private Ltd. Page
no:50-65
 R Sreevani “A Guide To Mental Health And Psychiatric Nursing” 3rd edition published
by JAYPEE BROTHERS Medical publishers(p) Ltd. page no:322-326
 Shebeer P. Basheer & S. Yaseen Khan “A Consice Text Book Of Advanced Nursing
Practice” published by EMMESS Medical Publishers, Banglore:page no:661-675
 Taylor Lillis LeMone Lynn “Fundamentals Of Nursing” 7th edition published by Wolters
Kluwer| Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, London. Page no: 718-723

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health-and-therapies-51227782?qid=393c6093-6380-472c-8239-
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 https://www.slideshare.net/robslides/the-christie-complementary-therapies-16753593
 https://www.slideshare.net/FIROZQURESHI/alternative-modalities-of-
care?from_action=save
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4b69-ae45-0f2c2814ec80&v=&b=&from_search=8
 https://www.google.co.in/search?ei=gnYbXIHfBNaS9QPdjpRo&q=complementary+and
+alternative+medicine+powerpoint+presentation&oq=complementary+and+alternative+
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ab.1.0.0i22i30l3j0i20i263j0j0i22i30l5.7426.13929..18454...0.0..0.445.633.0j1j4-
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