Community

3 Week Program on CAM

Course Syllabus

Outreach:
Outcome- To further community knowledge and understanding of
Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Course Title- Community Outreach: Complementary and Alternative

Medicine

Course Description- This community outreach program is designed to Complementary

and Alternative
bring a greater understanding of CAM to the general populace. The
program focuses on the benefits of CAM, with a focus on three popular
CAM methods: Reiki, Massage, and Acupuncture, and their therapeutic
qualities. Each week will delve deeper into one of the three CAM
methods, how to seek out a reputable practitioner, and guidance on
taking the next step to learn these practices for your own use. Each
community member will be asked to choose one of the three therapies,
and seek out a professional in his or her community to experience CAM,
Medicine
and learn more about the practice.

Course Outcomes:

Week 1 Develop a greater understanding of CAM with a focus on Reiki.

Week 2 Delve deeper into CAM and how it compliments traditional

Western Medicine, focus on massage therapy.

Week 3 Discuss community experiences with CAM, focus on

Acupuncture. Open forum for questions, discussion on preferred method
of CAM, and personal experiences with CAM.

Course Materials - This Booklet

LOTUS WELLNESS
Danielle Dumont LA
Week 1- CAM & Reiki Exploring Reiki
Course Notes Chakras
What is CAM- often thought in the terms of two categories, Chakra points on our bodies, often
natural remedies, and mind/body practices. believed to be energy nodes within our
What are natural remedies? The use of vitamins, supplements, bodies. Reiki helps open blocked
essential oils, and other organic ingredients to cure or treat Chakras, and helps life energy flow
ailments. freely in our bodies.
What are mind/body practices? Therapies such as Acupuncture,
Massage, Meditation, Yoga, and Reiki.
How do they work? CAM cannot always be measured by science,
and much is unexplained, and still being researched. Mikao Usui
How can I believe that CAM works? Much is based on the users
belief in the practice, the supplement, or the vitamin. Mikao Usui often considered to be the father
Mindfulness and a positive mindset go a long way. of Reiki. Usui Reiki is the most widely
What is Reiki? Reiki is a gentle laying of hands, the practitioner practiced worldwide. Usui began his Reiki
channels life energy into the client to help open the chakras, and journey in the 1800s after finding ancient
help with ailments such as headaches, digestion issues, and texts written in Sanskrit.
body pains.
Is Reiki tangible? Reiki is not tangible, but the client often feels a
warming sensation at points of blockage, and often feels light
and mentally sound at the end of a session.
How can I be sure that my Practitioner is legitimate? It is
important to look for a Reiki Practitioner that is a Certified Reiki Symbols
Master or has achieved their Level I or II-degree certification.
Dont hesitate to ask about your practitioners qualifications, Three main Reiki symbols used by
references, and educational background. practitioners to channel life energy.
Always check your practitioners
Recommended reading for Week 1: Essential Reiki A credentials.
Complete Guide to An Ancient Healing Art by Diane Stein

5
Week 2- CAM & Exploring Massage
Massage Massage
Massage Therapy is a touch
therapy that helps ease muscle
Course Notes pain, induce relaxation, and
release toxins from the body.
Why is Massage Beneficial? Massage has been proven to
improve muscle pain, including back pain.
How does Massage improve the mind? By relieving pain, and
ridding the body of toxins, Massage has been known to improve
mood, including depression, and anxiety.
How does Massage compliment traditional medicine? Massage
compliments modern medical practices and works well with
other practices such as Chiropractic, and Physical Therapy.
Massage has been known to reduce pain in Cancer Patients, as
Oils
well as during Pregnancy.
How do I find a reputable Therapist? Massage Therapists must Essential oils compliment
be licensed in most states, start by searching your state massage by adding to the
governments websites for licensed practitioners. healing effects of touch, as
As with any CAM practice ask for license information, well as inducing a
continuing education, and references. relaxation response, and
What other therapies compliment massage? Reiki is often lifting spirits through the
incorporated into massage, as well as the use of essential oils to power of scent.
relieve pain, and lift the spirits.
Massage is one of the most reputable of all CAM practices, with
scientific research to back up its claims.

Recommended reading for Week 2: Mosbys Fundamentals of

Therapeutic Massage Vol. 6 By Sandy Fritz

4 This is the Quote style. Its great for 1

calling out a few very important points.

Week 3- CAM & Self-Evaluation & Suggested Talking Points for Open
Forum

Acupuncture What are your experiences with CAM?

What have you learned from this course?

Course Notes What information has the course not covered?

What is Acupuncture? Acupuncture uses points on the body to ease What CAM practices would you like to try?
ailments such as muscle pain, tension, digestion issues, and
What CAM practices would you like to practice yourself?
headaches.

Acupuncture most commonly uses very fine needles to stimulate Are you interested in continuing education in a CAM practice?
points on the body.
What CAM practice do you think would most improve your mind,
Research is ongoing into the therapeutic effects of acupuncture. body, and spirit?

Acupuncture is one of the most popular therapies in China, and has

been used for thousands of years.
Acupuncture & Reflexology
Acupuncture is often used in conjuncture with massage, and
chiropractic techniques.
Acupuncture uses very fine needles
Acupuncture should always be practiced by a licensed individual. to stimulate points on the body.

Recommended Reading for Week 3 Fundamentals of

Complimentary and Alternative Medicine By C. Everett Koop

Reflexology is a CAM practices that

uses points on the feet and hands to
stimulate parts of the body.
2 3
Reference

Micozzi, M. S. (2001). Fundamentals of complementary and alternative medicine (4th ed.). New York:

Churchill Livingstone.

Stein, D. (2000). Essential Reiki: a complete guide to an ancient healing art. Freedom, CA: Crossing Press.