by Yolonda Proctor

1. Complimentary Health Practices Chapter 5

2. Traditional Healing Practices Methods are not alternatives, but are common. They do not work for HIV treatments. These methods are used in many poorer region where adequate health care is out of reach due to high costs. Many immigrant woman in North America use healing traditions from their mothers. Some Black people in America practice root work. Many Native Americans have maintained traditional healing methods. Some Puerto Ricans practice espiritismo. Mexicans in America practice curanderismo. Many Haitians practice vodoun and Hmoung folk practices.

3. Why We Choose Complimentary Health Therapies More women than men use complementary health therapies Reasons for using complementary health practices with conventional ones. - Belief that these therapies are gentler, safer, and more effective. -They are less expensive Many women combine complementary health practices with conventional medicines.

4. Traditional and Complementary Approaches Herbal Medicine is also known as botanical medicine or phytomedicine(phyto is Greek for plant) It has been used for over centuries Has been used in almost all cultures Concentrated herbal extracts at health food stores are very expensive. Herbs can be grown at home Quality of herbal preparations sold in the U.S. are inconsistent FDA issued quality control guidelines to manufacturers, which are voluntary. Herbalists in the U.S. are not certified, but can belong to the American Herbalists Guild. Most common herbal medicines used in the U.S. are - Echinacea is used for cold sand respiratory symptoms - St. John Wort is used for depression, ginkgo dementia, garlic preparations for cardiovascular risk factors. It’s important to research, before taking, because some are benign and some are not Research continues to evaluate the safety and efficiency of herbal medicines.

5. Acupuncture Component of Chinese medicine It includes a complex system of herbal medicine, diet, exercise, and tuina ( a form of massage) In traditional Chinese medicine symptoms are attributed to alterations in the flow of qi (energy) by trauma, stress, disease, other factors. Acupuncture stimulates points along nonanatomic energy meridians to attract, disperse, or unblock the flow of qi. Treatment includes hair-thin stainless steel needles inserted into acupuncture points. -Person may feel a prick, tingling, numbness, pain, or nothing -Two to fifteen needles are used and they are mostly placed in the hands, forearms, lower legs, feet, back, abdomen, and ears. -Needles may be placed far from the symptomatic area. Acupuncture is effective in post operative nausea, morning sickness, recurrent headache, postoperative pain after dental treatment, and temporomandibular joint pain (TMJ) . Serious complications can be inadequately sterilized needles leading to infections of Hepatitis and other infections. Only disposable needles should be used. Non-physician acupuncturists are licensed or certified in more than 40 states and the Dis. of Columbia The national exam can be taken by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Insurance pay for visits.

6. Spinal Adjustment Causes for pain or restricted motions include Both osteopaths and chiropractors use spinal adjustment to optimize body functioning. Controversies exist in chiropractic techniques. Studies have shown similar outcomes as medical treatment. Chiropractors are trained at chiropractic colleges and are not physicians. Some chiropractors restrict their practice to spinal adjustments Chiropractors are licensed in every state. Insurance usually covers chiropractic care. *Many woman visit osteopaths or chiropractors for musculoskeletal problems or for preventive health care. *Both osteopaths and chiropractors use spinal adjustment to optimize body functioning. *Doctors of osteopathy are physicians licensed to do everything that M.D.’s do.

7. More Traditional & Complimentary Approaches Bodywork Used to relax, reduce tension, or relieve pain Physical manipulation and movement education are combined to realign the body and establish ease of movement. Rolfing is deep manipulation of the fascia. Different techniques include Alexander technique, Feldenkrais, and Hellerwork Some methods are practiced one-on-one with a practitioner. Feldonkrais and Alexander technique can be taught in groups.

8. Massage Touching is a natural way to communicate and offer of comfort and an effective form of treatment. Massage can be done with hands, thumbs, feet, massage ball, and other instruments. Massages can be done by ourselves, family, friends, or a trained practitioner. Swedish massage is used in North America, using long gliding strokes, friction, and kneading. Ayurvedic massage uses oil and gentle strokes. Shiatsu massage uses pressure at specific energy points. Some massaging is done while one is clothed and others may be done with oils, and receiver partially or fully nude. Effective massage will relax the body. Practitioners sometimes include visualization and aromatherapy (use of essential oils made from flowers and herbs. Studies show that massage is helpful for back pain, lyphodema, and post breast cancer surgery. Costs for massage range from $50 to $85 an hour.

9. Types of Meditative Practices Meditation: the intentional paying attention from moment to moment. Attaining a different level of consciousness or a deeper more gratifying state of relaxation. -People meditate to feel calm, diminish stress or pain, get through crisis, or to engage in spiritual practice. -It can be done anywhere and in any position. Yoga includes asanas (physical poses) and pranayama (breathing exercises) -Different forms is taught in the U.S. -Some emphasize on exercising and some breathing -Sometimes used for carpal tunnel and osteoarthritis -Benefits come from efforts rather than reaching the goal. T’ai Chi is a form of Chinese martial arts intended to balance the flow of energy. -It uses gentle, flowing, and graceful body movements, while centering the mind. -It is usually available through the Y or community health centers. Relaxation releases tension and focus the energy of our minds and bodies. -Progressive relaxation training: leaning to relax muscle groups -Visualization is imagining an object, scene, or process, which has been used to calm women in labor.

11. It is considered a vital cultural and spiritual component of community.

12. Some dances are ancestral or indigenous forms of dance such as Hawaiian, African, and Native American.

13. It develops spiritual and physical well-being.

14. Dance can also be a formal mode of healing.

15. It addresses our physical body, emotions, mental attitude, and relationship with the world.

17. Energy Healing “Therapeutic Touch is a secular form of energy healing in which the practitioner channels energy to help the healing process in another person.” The practice may not include touching. Techniques include the practitioner's hands moving along a person’s body in order to affect energy fields. This is practiced by nurses as well. Reiki and popularity therapy are other types of energy therapies.

18. Homeopathy “This is a system of medicine that uses highly dilute preparations made from plants, minerals, or animals in efforts to stimulate healing.” It was developed in the late 1700’s by a German physician, Samuel Hahnemann. -Articulated the Law of Similars. *tiny doses of a substance that causes certain symptoms can be used to treat the same symptoms. A visit would take 1 hr. to 1 1/2 hr. -Includes detailed discussion about a person’s eating and sleeping habits, psychological and emotional state, fears, cravings, and family history, and specific ailments that are causing discomfort. It is considered a good sign if symptoms worsen before they get better. Oral homeopathic remedies sometimes are liquid or tiny pills placed under the tongue. Some practitioners are licensed by the Council for Homeopathic Education and others by naturopathy or chiropractic. Few states in the U.S. license medical doctors specifically for homeopathy.

19. Choosing Therapies, Self Help Groups, and Providers Seek practitioners who are open-minded to different approaches and who listen. Therapists need to be open to referring patient to outside therapy if needed. Avoid those who blame you. If no good changes are seen, try something or someone else. Stay away from practitioners who offer miraculous results. Be aware of costs Stay away from alternative diagnostics, such as iridology. Look for competence. It is important to find the practitioner that meets our needs and is focused on the underlying problems at hand. We must research in order to find the appropriate provider. We can do this by reading books, looking online, attend classes, or from referrals from others. We must be careful to:

20. Social and Political Awareness Alternative methods of healing promotes promise to practicing health care. Holistic practices and practitioners have the weaknesses as conventional Western medicine and M.D.’s. *Racism and Elitism sometimes affect the care of people of color. *Some alternative practitioners imply that it is the patients fault if they don’t get better.

21. Access to Care Some complimentary therapies is inaccessible to low-income people. It is not always covered by insurance. Many woman are uninsured or do not have access to health care facilities. Insurance is designed to pay for treatment for the ill and complimentary care focuses on staying healthy. Doctors are sponsored by pharmaceutical companies. Single-payer health care systems may be best for complementary health care. Writing our legislatures can promote change.

22. Jump Out & Question My jump out information Complimentary health care is not covered by insurance is what jumped out at me and also it is hard to get access by low income families and some people of color. I believe that this is a huge barrier because some people who believe strongly in this practice will not be able to utilize these services. Question for Facebook If you chose to use a complimentary health practice, which would it be and why?