Complementary and

Alternative Therapies

Rufina M. Cruz -Salvador RN, MAN

LECTURER NCM 120
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● Therapies are used in addition to conventional treatment
to provide healing resources and focus on the
mind-body connection
● Included are high-risk (invasive) therapies and low-risk
(non-invasive) therapies
➔ E.g., Low-risk therapy: Meditation, Music therapy,
Massage, Aromatic therapy, Humor Therapy,
Relaxation techniques (deep breathing exercises)

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CATEGORIES OF COMPLEMENTARY AND
ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES

1. Alternative Medical Systems

2. Mind Body Interventions
3. Biological-based interventions
4. Manipulative and body-based interventions
5. Energy therapies

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 1. ALTERNATIVE MEDICAL SYSTEMS

A. ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE
● Focuses on preventing the harmful effects of the
environmental toxins
● focuses on the use of environmentally safe product
● Environmental Medicine focuses on the causes of
disease in an environmental context
➔ i.e. health teaching, therapeutic diet, detoxification,
immunotherapy, counseling, use of environmentally
safe products

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HISTORY OF ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE

● The modern field of environmental medicine originated sometime

around the mid-20th century, when possible links between
environmental factors and human disease gained increased
recognition.
● Environmental Health (1950's) - emerged after WWII as a public
health discipline to study the control of environmental factors
harmful to human health, focus on sanitation and control of
communicable disease.
● Environmental Science (1960's)- Pollution in air, water and soil did
not emerge as a discipline until 1960's
● Environmental Medicine (1970's) - Focus on how pollution enter the
body and cause harm
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FACTORS OF ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE
● Biological Factors - bacteria, virus, molds, candida, parasites, food,
animal hair, dust and pollen from the trees.
● Chemical factors - Formaldehyde, phenol, solvents, petroleum
products, pesticides and herbicides
● Physical Factor - Hot, cold, air cycle, noise, electromagnetic radiation
found on mobile phones, nuclear explosion and exposure to random
gas.
● Psychosocial Factors - Prolonged psychological stress due to work or
personal relationships ex. death of a close relative and loss of job

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How AN ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE WORKS
● Environmental medicine patients are told that the world has
made them sick.
➔ They blame their symptoms on everything from cell phones
to the very walls of their houses, from air pollution to food
additives.
● The theory is that while one chemical might not be a problem,
many different chemicals and substances overwhelm their
ability to cope.
● Most Treatment plans for alternative medicine include:
avoidance, immunotherapy, nutritional supplements,
detoxification, restricted diets, and drugs.
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TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE
● A branch of traditional medicine in China.focuses on restoring
and maintaining a balanced flow of vital energy
● Traditional Chinese medicine or TCM for short has evolved
over thousands of years, with TCM practitioners using various
psychological and/or physical approaches as well as herbal
products to address health problems.
● Traditional Chinese medicine is founded on the concept that
an energy called qi (pronounced "Chee") runs through the
body along paths called meridians
➔ i.e. acupressure, acupuncture, meditation, Taichi, herbal
medicines

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ETYMOLOGY
● Era of the Shang dynasty period which was from 1766-1122 BC.
● Shang Di believes that "illness was caused either by upsetting an
ancestor and consequently being cursed or that a demon or evil
entered the body and caused illness”

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 TYPES OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE

Acupuncture
● Procedure used in or adapted from Chinese medical practice in
which specific body areas are pierced with fine needles for
therapeutic purposes or to relieve pain or produce regional
anesthesia.
● The focus is the imbalance in the patient, and the causality is always
multifactorial
● Function of the points is described in terms of TCM diagnosis

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According to WHO, acupuncture is effective
in:
● colds and flu
● bronchitis and asthma
● hay fever and sinusitis
● high blood pressure diabetes and hypoglycemia
● constipation and hemorrhoids
● ulcers and colon infections
● indigestion and diarrhea

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 Diet Therapy
● Strict dietary discipline remains an important aspect of
treatment in all branches of traditional Chinese therapy.
● TCM emphasizes that it is necessary for people to keep
a regular diet habit and arrange a balanced diet
according to one's age, gender and constitution.
➔ The most basic principle of proper food combining is
to avoid conflicts of yin and yang in the stomach.
Examples of yin and yang food are:
Yin = raw foods, fruits and vegetables, alcohol, sugar
Yang = meat, cooked food, chicken and eggs, salt.
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Herbal Medicine

● Chinese medical herbs are classified according to their basic yin

yang nature (warming, cooling, or neutral), their Five Elemental
Energy identities as reflected in the Five Flavors (pungent, sweet,
sour, bitter, or salty), and their primary therapeutic properties
(tonifying, purging, concentrating, or dispersing)
● The method of preparation used for each remedy depends on
several factors, including the nature of the herb(s), the type of
condition to be treated, and the therapeutic effects to be achieved:
➔ Raw
➔ Decoction (broth)
➔ Paste (gao)
➔ Pill (wan)
➔ Liquor (yao jiou)
➔ Ointment (yio)
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● Qi Gong
● exercise that focuses on breathing, visualization and
movement
● Which uses movement, breathing techniques, and meditation
● Is believed to treat a variety of health conditions, including high
blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, chronic fatigue,
insomnia, and leg and back pain, among others
● The concept of the “five elements” (wood, fire, earth, metal and
water) as energetic archetypes whose cycles affect the flow of
energy in our bodies is central to ancient Chinese medicine and
to its qigong health exercises.

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Taichi

● Is often described as "meditation in motion," but it might well be called

"medication in motion."
● There is growing evidence that this mind-body practice, which originated in
China as a martial art, has value in treating or preventing many health
problems.
● Because tai chi integrates low physical impact body movements with deep
breathing and mental concentration, relaxation is possible, thus making it an
alternative option to conventional anxiety treatments.

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AYURVEDA

● Ayurveda, or ayurvedic medicine, is an alternative medicine

system promoting a healthy-lifestyle system that people in
India
● focuses on the balance of mind, body and spirit
● Emphasizes good health and prevention and treatment of
illness through lifestyle practices
● Ayurvedic medicine is holistic
● Goal of treatment is to cleanse your body

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● Ayurveda came from the Sanskrit words:
■ "Ayur" meaning "Life"
■ "Veda" meaning "Sacred"
■ Ayurveda thus means Sacred Life
➔ i.e. yoga, breathing exercises
● Panchakarma = Cleansing process
➔ designed to reduce your symptoms and restore harmony
and balance
➔ To achieve this, an Ayurvedic practitioner might rely on
blood purification, massage, medical oils, herbs, and
enemas or laxatives

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PRINCIPLES OF AYUVERDA
Five basic elements found in the universe:
1. Space
2. Air
3. Fire
4. Water
5. Earth

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These combine in the human body to form three life
forces or energies, called doshas.
VATTA DOSHA
● Combination of Air and Space
● Most powerful Dosha
● Vatta controls:
◆ muscle and joint movement
◆ breathing and heartbeat
◆ anxiety and fear
◆ pain
◆ other functions of the nervous system

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● Things that can disrupt it include eating again too soon after a
meal, fear, grief, and staying up too late
● If vata dosha is your main life force, you ‘re thought to be
more likely to develop conditions:
➔ Anxiety
➔ Asthma
➔ heart disease
➔ skin problems
➔ rheumatoid arthritis

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PITTA DOSHA
● Combination of Fire and Water
● Pitta controls:
◆ · digestion
◆ · metabolism
◆ · intelligence
◆ · skin color
● Pitta governs the emotions of anger, hate, and jealousy.

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● Things that can disrupt it are eating sour or spicy
foods and spending too much time in the sun.
● If it’s your main life force, you’re thought to be more
likely to develop conditions:
○ Crohn’s disease
○ heart disease
○ high blood pressure
○ infections

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KAPHA DOSHA
● Combination of Earth and Water
● Kapha controls
◆ immune system
◆ muscle growth
◆ body strength and stability
◆ weight
● Kapha includes calmness, forgiveness, love, and
greed.

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● You can disrupt it by sleeping during the day, eating too
many sweet foods, and eating or drinking things that
contain too much salt or water.
● If it’s your main life energy, practitioners believe you
may develop:
➔ asthma and other breathing disorders
➔ cancer
➔ diabetes
➔ nausea after eating
➔ obesity

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USES OF AYUVERDA
● People use ayurvedic practices to maintain health, reduce
stress, and improve flexibility, strength, and stamina
● Practices like yoga and meditation can be helpful for
people with diseases such as asthma, high blood pressure,
and arthritis.
● Ayurveda stresses proper diet for maintaining good health
and treating disease.
● Herbal medicines are prescribed based on the person's
dosha type

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HOMEOPATHY
● uses of plants and mineral extracts
● the body can cure itself
● use tiny amounts of natural substances, like plants
and minerals
● developed in the late 1700s in Germany
● common in many European countries, not popular in
the United States
● Origin of Homeopathy > Greek Words :
❖ "Omoios" meaning "SIMILAR"
❖ "Pathos" meaning "Suffering"
❏ i.e. Hydrotherapy

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TWO THEORIES OF HOMEOPATHY
1. LIKE CURES LIKE
➔ Large amount of substance that causes an illness to a
healthy person, can cure illness in a very small dose
to a sick person
➔ stimulates a person's self-healing capabilities
2. LAW OF MINIMUM DOSE
➔ Serial dilution
➔ The more dilution occurs, the more potent remedy will
be the outcome

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HOW DOES HOMEOPATHY WORK
● come from plants (red onion, arnica [mountain herb], poison
ivy, belladonna [deadly nightshade], and stinging nettle),
minerals (white arsenic), or animals (crushed whole bees)
● often made as sugar pellets to be placed under the tongue;
such as ointments, gels,drops, creams, and tablets
● Homeopathic doctors weaken these ingredients by adding
water or alcohol
● “potentization.” transfers the healing essence
● believe that the lower the dose, the more powerful the
medicine

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CONDITIONS HOMEOPATHY TREAT
● Allergies
● Migraines
● Chronic fatigue syndrome
● Rheumatoid arthritis
● Irritable bowel syndrome
● bruises, scrapes
● headaches, nausea
● coughs, and colds

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NATUROPATHY
● Naturopathic medicine is a holistic approach to
treating illness & disorders of all kinds, by stimulating
a body’s self-healing mechanism
● It is a combination of multiple therapies including
acupuncture, herbs, massage, physical
manipulations, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, nutritional
counseling & much more following the Naturopathic
principles

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● Naturopaths claim the ancient Greek "Father of Medicine",
Hippocrates, as the first advocate of naturopathic
medicine, before the term existed
➔ “Natura", Latin root for "Birth”"
➔ “Pathos" Greek root for "Suffering", which suggest
Natural Healing
● Naturopathic treatment plans focus on Education and
Prevention
➔ emphasize diet, exercise, and stress management
● The practice of neuropathy is based on a belief in the
body’s ability to heal itself through a special vital energy or
force guiding bodily processes internally
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PRINCIPLES AND BELIEFS
1. Use the most natural, least invasive and least toxic
therapies.
2. Look beyond the symptoms to the underlying cause.
3. View the body as an integrated whole in all its physical
and spiritual dimensions.
4. Trust in the body's inherent wisdom to heal itself.
5. Educate patients about the steps to achieving and
maintaining health.
6. Focus on overall health, wellness and disease
prevention.
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NATUROPATHIC CARE
● Naturopathic physicians use a blend of traditional treatment
methods (such as ordering labs or x-rays) and holistic therapies
(such as leveraging botanical medicine) to manage a broad range of health
conditions

BENEFITS OF NATUROPATHY

1. Disease Prevention

2. Treatment of disorders

3. Sleeping aid

4. Alternative therapies

5. Increases self-awareness

6. Changes the way one think

7. Safe & effective treatment

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2. MIND BODY INTERVENTIONS
focus on controlling physical functions through
positive mental processes
● Mind-body medicine focuses on the communication
between mind and body and the powerful ways in which
emotional, mental, social, and spiritual factors can
directly affect health.
● Mind-body interventions utilize the mind’s capacity to
affect the body and its physiological responses. They
thereby influence health.
● include biofeedback, hypnosis, relaxation therapy,
meditation, music or art therapy, qigong, prayer and
mental healing
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BIOFEEDBACK
● non-drug treatment in which patients learn to control bodily
processes that are normally involuntary, such as muscle
tension, blood pressure, or heart rate
● the therapy is used to help prevent or treat conditions,
including migraine headaches, chronic pain, incontinence,
and high blood pressure
● Biofeedback has been Scientifically Proven to help with:
➔ Reduce the intensity and/or patterns of mental health
issues like drug and alcohol addiction, depression and
eating disorders.
➔ Improve sleep quality by reducing hyperarousal and
insomnia.

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HYPNOTHERAPY
● involves attention and focused concentration with a relative
suspension of peripheral awareness
● verbal repetition and mental images
● effective method for coping with stress, anxiety and PTSD

3 Aspects: Absorption, Dissociation and Suggestibility

HYPNOTIC INDUCTION
➔ Relaxation technique
➔ Handshake Technique
➔ Eye Cues

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RELAXATION THERAPY
❖ Relaxation technique is any method or process that produces a
relaxing effect to the body lessening pain, stress, anxiety or
anger.
❖ The stress response is a good example of how systems
cooperate to protect an individual from harm through this it also
triggers the sympathetic response of our body.
◆ Where our muscles are tightened, increase heart rate, in
other words, our body is in a fight or flight state
◆ relaxation response is indeed needed to reduce the neural
impulses to the brain
◆ It helps individuals to develop cognitive skills to reduce
negative ways in which they respond within their
environment.
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● Relaxation enables individuals to exert control over their lives.
● The long-term goal of relaxation therapy is for people to know the
indicators of tension and release the tension in various body
parts.
● According to Potter and Perry (2017) research shows that
relaxation in combination with imagery, yoga, and music reduces
anxiety and pain while improving well-being
● It includes slow deep abdominal breathing.
● Research shows that relaxation effectively triggers the
parasympathetic response, lowering blood pressure, heart rate,
decreasing muscle tension, and improving well-being.
● It can help improve one’s satisfaction in work and relationships
with others.

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MEDITATION
● A practice that connects the mind and the body which can
produce a deep state of relaxation and a tranquil mind to
enhance physical and emotional well-being
2 Main Types
1. Concentration Meditation
2. Mindfulness Meditation

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MUSIC THERAPY
● A therapeutic approach that uses the naturally mood-lifting
properties of music to overall well-being
● can be an active or passive
● beneficial for expressing feelings, reducing stress and anxiety,
enhancing relaxation and a distraction to aid in pain
management
Examples
○ Analytical Music Therapy
○ Benenzon Music Therapy
○ Cognitive Behavioral Music Therapy (CBMT)
○ Community Music Therapy
○ Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy
○ the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM)
○ Vocal Psychotherapy

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ART THERAPY

● A technique rooted in the idea that creative expression can foster

healing and mental well-being.
● The goal of art therapy is to utilize the creative process to help people
explore self-expression, develop self-awareness, cope with stress,
boost self-esteem, and work on social skills.
● It is helpful when the person has difficulty expressing feelings verbally.

Examples

● Collage
● Coloring
● Doodling and scribbling
● Drawing
● Finger painting
● Painting
● Photography
● Sculpting
● Working with clay 41
QI GONG
● A form of exercise (stimulation therapy)
● Improves health by redirecting mental focus, controlling
breathing, improving coordination, and promoting
relaxation.
● Activates the natural currents that flow along the body's
meridians to rebalance the body's own healing ability

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PRAYER
● PRAYER is one of the most ancient expressions of religion.IN
HINDUISM
➔ dhyana (“meditation”) and the stotra (“praise”)
● IN BUDDHISM
➔ muyou (“monastic prayer”)
● IN ISLAM
❖ five daily prayers include:
❏ Fajr (sunrise prayer),
❏ Dhuhr (noon prayer),
❏ Asr (afternoon prayer),
❏ Maghrib (sunset prayer),
❏ Isha (night prayer)
● IN CHRISTIANITY
➔ worship, thanksgiving, rosary, fasting, during meals
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MENTAL HEALING
● process of alleviating or attempting to alleviate mental or physical
illness through the power of the mind

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3. BIOLOGICAL-BASED THERAPIES
● therapies includes natural and biological- derived
products, interventions, and practices
● include aromatherapy, herbal therapies, macrobiotic
diet, and orthomolecular therapy

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AROMATHERAPY

● According to the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA)

aromatherapy is the therapeutic application or the medicinal use of
aromatic substances like essential oils for holistic healing.
● This Aromatherapy is just a complementary therapy
● does not provide a cure for diseases, rashes or illnesses, but it can be
supportive treatment for various conditions
● It provides respiratory disinfection, decongestant, and psychological
benefits.

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HOW IS THIS AROMATHERAPY APPLIED

● It can be through inhalation or as a topical application.

● For inhalation: the oils evaporate into the air using a diffuser or in a
steamed bath
● For topical applications: the massage oils are absorbed through the skin
● These essential oils are readily available from the market
● be aware of fake oils because this can lead to irritations and may possibly
cause you death once you inhale it
● According to the one of the bestselling essential oil brands in the
Philippines, there are 5 most popular essentials oils and their superpowers:
◆ Lavender - promotes feelings of calmness and fights nervous tension
◆ Peppermint - cools fatigued muscles after physical activity
◆ Lemon - promotes healthy immune system
◆ Frankincense - promotes relaxation and tranquility

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HERBAL THERAPIES

● herbal medicines are products made from botanical or plants and also
involving the use of natural and biologically based practices and
interventions (Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
Committee of Craig Hospital, 2021)
● these are made through extraction from plants, herbs or flower
● The extracted plant part will be used for its scent, flavor, or therapeutic
properties.
● according to The World Health Organization, an estimate of 80% of the
world’s population, or about 4 billion people, currently use herbal
medicine for some of their health care.

PURPOSE:

◆ treats wounds
◆ enhances general health and wellbeing
◆ improves energy
◆ aids relaxation and sleep
◆ can even makes the mixture taste better
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DIFFERENT FORMS OF HERBAL MEDICINE:
● liquid herb extracts
● skin creams
● teas
● herb
● powders
● capsules
● tablets

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 10 APPROVED MEDICINAL PLANTS IN THEPH:
There are ten (10) Philippine medicinal plant species approved for
therapeutic uses by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under
the Department of Health (DOH)

1. Lagundi (Vitexnegundo) – Cough and asthma

2. Sambong (Blumeabalsamifera L.)– Anti-urolithiasis (kidney
stones)
3. Ampalaya (Momordicacharantia L.) – can Lowering of blood sugar
and anti-diabetes
4. Garlic (Allium sativum) – Anti-cholesterol
5. Guava (Psidium Guajava) – Oral/skin antiseptic
6. Tsaang-gubat (Carmona cetusa) –Mouthwash
7. Yerba-Buena (Mentha Arvensis) –Analgesic or antipyretic
8. Niyog-niyogan (Quisaualisindica)– Anti-helminthic
9. Acapulco (Cassia alata) – Antifungal
10. Ulasimang Bato - anti inflammatory

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BENEFITS:
❖ more affordable and accessible than conventional medicines
❖ many people prefer using them because they align with their
personal health ideologies

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MACROBIOTIC DIET
● first developed by a Japanese philosopher named George
Ohsawa
● he believed in a holistic approach to health incorporating many
lifestyle aspects, from diet and exercise to meditation and even
the ‘yin and yang’ energy of particular foods
● macrobiotic diet is divided as follows:
◆ Around 40-60% of your food contains whole grains such as
brown rice, barley, oats, buckwheat
◆ Around 20-30% contains fruits and vegetables such as
pickles, which are one of the things that are believed to have
a balancing effect
◆ Around 10% – 25% contains bean and bean products such
as tofu, miso as well as seaweeds

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BENEFITS
● By adopting a macrobiotic way of eating you are likely to lose
weight, but be careful that you don’t replace protein-rich foods
with too many carbs
● Starchy carbs like grains and rice are easy to overeat.
● Research suggests that it has a positive effect on heart health
reporting lower blood lipids and cholesterol plus benefits in the
management of blood pressure.
● plant-based, low-fat, high-fibre nature of the regime

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---- may be useful for women because it moderately reduces the level of
circulating estrogens in the body, which possibly helps reduce the risk of
having breast cancer
➔ This effect is due to the diet being rich in whole grains which may also
benefit post-menopausal women.
➔ Wholegrain foods supply a bounty of helpful compounds, specifically
phyto-estrogens, including lignans, which may help maintain insulin
sensitivity and weight management after the menopause
● There are some prime causes of concern which are associated with
minimal nutritional inadequacies including calcium, iron, vitamins B12
and D as wellas protein, social limitation due to the strict nature of the
plan as well as possible delay in pursuing more conventional medical
treatments.
● Eating more fruit and vegetables and lowering your salt, sugar
and fat intake can have a positive effect.
● chewing your food thoroughly and breathing deeply are also
important elements of this lifestyle

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ORTHOMOLECULAR THERAPY
● The term orthomolecular therapy or also known as
"orthomolecular medicine"
● coined in around 1968 by a famous chemist and biochemist
named Dr. Linus Pauling
➔ best known for his work on the nature of chemical bonds
and the structure of molecule

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PURPOSE OF ORTHOMOLECULAR THERAPY
● a form of alternative medicine
● aims to maintain human health through nutritional
supplementation
● The concept builds on the idea of an optimal nutritional
environment in the body and suggests that diseases reflect
deficiencies in this environment.
● The treatment for disease, according to this view, involves
attempts to correct "imbalances or deficiencies based on our
individual biochemistry" by use of substances such as vitamins,
minerals, amino acids, trace elements and fatty acids.

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TYPES OF CONDITIONS FOR WHICH ORTHOMOLECULAR
PRACTITIONERS HAVE CLAIMED SOME EFFICACY

● Acne ● cancer
● Alcoholism ● common cold
● Allergies ● depression
● Arthritis ● drug addiction
● Autism ● epilepsy
● bee stings ● heart diseases
● bipolar disorder ● hypertension
● burns

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EXAMPLES
Vitamin E
● even large doses of vitamin E pose no risk to health and are
useful for the treatment and prevention of a broad list of
conditions, including heart and circulatory diseases, diabetes and
nephritis
● The usefulness of vitamin E in orthomolecular medicine was
based on epidemiological studies suggesting that people who
consumed more vitamin E had lower risks of chronic disease,
such as coronary heart disease.

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CHELATION

● Chelation therapy is an IV therapy that removes heavy metals from the

body.
● heavy metals accumulate in the body through many of our daily
activities, most commonly through certain foods, people who smoke,
dental procedures, seafood are all possible sources of heavy metals
and we are exposed to these if not every day
● Heavy metals can cause inflammation and can be catalysts to disease
processes

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PROCESS

● The process of chelation therapy is an IV solution based in saline

including vitamin C and B vitamin that includes EDTA.
ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid
○ a synthetic amino acid that grabs onto heavy metals
● When EDTA is filtered through the kidneys, the EDTA and the heavy
metals get filtered out and come out in the urine.
● What Chelation therapy basically does to our body is to detox the body
from heavy metals.

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CONDITIONS DOES CHELATION THERAPY TREAT

● It is both a preventive measure and a treatment for heavy metal toxicity.

● The most common form of heavy metal toxicity is from the most
poisonous form of metals which are lead and mercury and these are in
our environment.
➔ There are lead based gasolines
➔ mercury is in dental amalgams
➔ mercury is in some curtains seafood
➔ both of these chemicals can cause chronic issues and acute poisoning if
the levels are high enough
● If you feel to have been exposed to heavy metals you can be checked
through blood tests and urine tests and even hair samples.

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 4. MANIPULATIVE AND BODY-BASED INTERVENTIONS
®involve manipulation and movement of the body by a therapist
®interventions include acupressure, movement reeducation
techniques, chiropractic therapy and therapeutic massage

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