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Alternative Therapies
Alternative Therapies
Alternative Therapies
o CAM practices are often grouped into broad categories, such as natural
products, mind-body medicine, and manipulative and body-based practices.
o CAM “natural products” includes the use of a variety of herbal medicines (also
known as botanicals), vitamins, minerals, and probiotics – live organisms (usually
bacteria) that are similar to microorganisms normally found in the human
digestive tract and that may have beneficial effects. Probiotics are available in
foods (e.g., yogurts) or as dietary supplements. They are not the same thing as
prebiotics – non-digestible food ingredients that selectively stimulate the growth
and/or activity of microorganisms already present in the body.
o Many “natural products” are sold over the country as dietary supplements.
Previously, this category is called “biologically based practices” that include
dietary supplements and herbal remedies, which use ingredients found in
nature. Examples of herbs include ginseng, gingko and Echinacea, while
examples of other dietary supplements include selenium, glucosamine sulfate
and SAMe. Herbs and supplements can be taken as teas, oils, syrups, powders,
tablets or capsules.
Mind-body medicine
refers to techniques which strengthen the communication between mind and
body (two systems that must be in harmony to stay healthy). Examples of mind-
body connection techniques include medication, prayer, and relaxation and art
therapies.
Manipulative and body-based practices
refers to methods that use human touch to move or manipulate a specific part
of the body. They include chiropractic and osteopathic manipulation and
massage.
Energy medicine
refers to therapies that unblock or re-balance one’s energy force. Some CAM
practitioners believe an invisible energy force flows through the body, and
when this energy flow is blocked or unbalanced, one can become sick. Different
traditions call this energy by different names, such as chi, prana and life force.
HERBAL MEDICINE
The use of herbs or botanical plants for medicinal purposes has increase
dramatically over the past decade. The other term used for herbal medicine
is phytotherapy. Well-known examples include atropine, colchicine, digoxin,
and many antineoplastic agents.
Herbal medicine has been dispensed for centuries by traditional herbalists,
who have been involved with their cultivation, preparation, as well as
assessment of their potency.
At present, most herbal products are cultivated, process in unregulated
environments and sold over-the counter or in market places. Unlike
medications, herbal and nutritional supplements are not subject to FDA
regulations. However, the consumer can get reliable information from the US
Pharmacopeia (USP), a non-governmental official authority that sets
standards for prescription drugs, over-the counter medicines, and herbal
therapies.
NSF International, also a non-profit organization, offers the Dietary
Supplement Certification Program. Manufacturers pay a fee (like USP) to be
tested and can use the NSF mark on supplement labels if products pass for
label accuracy, lack of contamination, and good manufacturing practices.
DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS
o The term “dietary supplement” refers to a product other than tobacco, intended
to supplement the diet that bears or contains one or more of the following
dietary ingredients:
a vitamin;
a mineral;
an herb or botanical;
an amino acid;
a dietary substance for use by man to supplement the diet by increasing
the total dietary intake; or;
a concentrate, metabolite, constituent, extract, or a combination of any
ingredient describe above.
Furthermore, it means a product that is: 1) intended foe ingestion in a
form describe above; 2) not represented for use as a conventional food
or as a sole item of meat or a diet; and 3) labeled as a dietary
supplement. Dietary supplements come in many forms that include:
extracts, concentrates, capsules, tablets, liquids, and powders. They are
neither foods nor drugs and require special labeling.
ALTERNATIVE DIETS
NATUROPATHY
HOMEOPATHY
ACUPUNCTURE
o This is one of the oldest CAM methods and the most commonly used medical
procedures globally. It originated from China 2000 years ago.
o Acupuncture involves the use of thin needles, inserted into points on the
meridians to stimulate the chi or vital life energy.
o Moxibustion is an application of heat along acupuncture points to aid in
balancing substances of the body.
AYURVEDA
o This alternative medicine system has been practiced in the Indian subcontinent
foe over 5 centuries.
o The term is a Sanskrit word, meaning the “Science of Life”. It includes diet and
herbal remedies and emphasizes the use of mind, body and spirit in preventing
and treating disease.
o According to Ayurveda practitioners, there are three main types of energy that
create differences among individuals in relation to their health status:
vatta – the energy of movement;
Pitta – the energy of digestions and metabolism;
Kapha – the energy of lubrication.
For a healthy status, a person must have a balanced of this three
energies.
MASSAGE THERAPY
BIOFEEDBACK
o This is a treatment technique that makes use of signals from the body to
improve health.
o Physical therapists use this technique to help stroke victims to regain gradually
movements in their paralyzed muscles.
o Psychologists also apply this technique to anxious and stressed clients so that
they can relax. Other practitioners use biofeedback principles to cope with pain.
o Common tools for biofeedback are the body thermometer, weighing scales, and
stethoscope.
o Patients are trained to relax and do exercises daily. Discipline and self-control are
keys to success.
MIND-BODY INTERVENTIONS
o These are several techniques designed to enhance the mind’s capacity to affect
bodily functions and symptoms.
o Examples are medication, prayer, mental healing, cognitive-behavioral therapies,
and creative outlets like dance or music therapy.
CHIROPRACTIC THERAPY
o As an alternative medical system, it focuses on the relationship of bodily
structure, primarily the spine, and function, and how this relationship affects the
preservation of health.
o Chiropractors use manipulative therapy as a treatment tool.
ENERGY THERAPIES
MAGNET THERAPIES
o Paracelsus, a physician and chemist, theorized that magnets attracts diseases out
of the body.
o Today, magnetic fields find application in Western medicine, such as in magnetic
resonance imaging.
o There are many sizes, types, and strengths of magnets. It may be applied to one
area of the body or implanted.
o Magnet wraps are sold for most body parts. They may be available in strips, foils,
pads or sole inserts.
o Magnet therapy may improve circulation, alter nerve impulses, reduce edema,
relax muscles, or alkaline body fluids. These theories need to be adequately
assessed by clinical trials.
YOGA
TAI CHI
o The gentle art of Tai Chi uses gentle flowing movements to reduce stress and
improve health.
o Tai Chi is sometimes described as “medication in motion” as it promotes serenity
through its gentle movements- connecting the mind and the body.
o It originally develop in ancient China for self-defense and has now evolved in
graceful form of exercise used for reduction of stress.
HYPNOSIS
o This technique produces an induced state of deep relaxation in which the mind
stays narrowly focused and open to suggestion. You will then receive suggestions
designed to decrease your perception of pain and increase your ability to cope
with pain.
o It is believed that brain wave patterns are altered during hypnosis. T
o his field of CAM is poorly regulated, and the subject should be strongly
motivated for hypnosis to work.
o Physicians should help their patients decide in considering using a CAM modality
by answering these questions:
1. What are the known benefits? Is a particular therapy evidenced-
based or still under experimental stage?
2. What are the potential risks and the side effects of the proposed CAM
modality?
3. What is his (physician’s) training and experiences about the proposed
CAM modality?
4. Is the physician recommending dietary supplement or herbal
medicine, which involves a price that reflects a profit for him? If so,
the client must be informed.
5. Does the client have any allergies to the plant material?
6. Is she currently pregnant or breast-feeding?
7. What other medicine (prescription or over the counter) is the client
taking?
o Answers to these should be documented and any intake and follow-up
information on a CAM modality used by the client will provide relevant
pharmacologic and treatment data for health care provider.
CLINICAL TRIALS
o Clinical trials are also called medical research, research studies, or clinical
studies. In a clinical trial, a treatment or therapy is tested to see whether it is
safe and effective.
o Information gathered from clinical trails will help people understand the disease,
how it progresses, and how it affects the body.
o Such studies will also compare which treatments are more effective than others.
R.A 8423 OR THE TRADITIONAL AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE ACT (TAMA) OF 1997
o In the Philippines, the practice of traditional medicine which was passed on from
generation to generation has gained a deep significance in health delivery
considering the expensive western medical treatment which most Filipinos could
not afford.
o The Department of Health (DOH), through former Health Secretary and later
Senator Juan M. Flavier, first came out with the Traditional Medicine (trad med)
Programmed by virtue of Administrative Order No. 12 in 1992. This special
program was tasked to promote and advocate traditional medicine nationwide.
The timely approval of R.A 8423 otherwise known as the Traditional and
Alternative Medicine Act (TAMA) of 1997 gave rise to the creation of Philippine
Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC) a corporation
attached to the DOH to answer the present needs of the people on health care
through the provision and delivery of traditional and alternative health care
(TAHC) products, services and technologies that have been proven safe, effective
and affordable.
o The programs and projects of PITAHC include:
1) Herbal Medicine Community-Based Program-focuses on the
promotion and advocacy of scientifically-proven medicinal plants
endorsed by the Department of Health that include technology
transfer on the preparation of herbal decoction, syrup, ointment and
soap, and giving lectures;
2) Acupuncture;
3) Massage Therapy;
4) Other Complimentary Health Modalities like Chiropractics;
5) Philippine Indigenous Healing Traditions;
6) Health Tourism;
7) Nutrition and Alternative Healthy Lifestyle; and
8) Environmental Protection and Preservation.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Antineoplastic agents
o inhibiting or preventing the growth and spread of tumors or malignant cells
CAM
o complementary and alternative medicine
DASH diet
o the DASH diet is an eating plan designed for individuals with high blood pressure,
especially African-American and people with stage 1 hypertension.
Minerals
o an inorganic element that remains as ash when the food is burned
Over-the-Counter
o sold lawfully without prescription
Probiotics
o a live human-derived microorganism used as food supplements, which provide
health benefits when consumed, by improving the intestinal microbial balance of
the host
Vegetarian diet
o subsisting entirely or largely on foods of plant origin
Vitamins
o any of various organic substances that are essential in minute quantities to the
nutrition of most animals and some plants
REFERENCES