Alternative and Complementary Modalities of Care

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) includes various healing approaches and therapies that originate from around the world and that are not based on conventional western medicine. Alternative/Complementary modalities have been defined as treatment techniques whose goals are to evoke healing, taking into account the body-mind-spirit connection of every individual (Dossey, 1995). It is a group of diverse medical and health care system, practices, therapies and procedures that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine.

Understanding Terminologies

To understand these modalities, several key terminologies must be considered:

• HOLISM: The idea that the whole of the sick person including their body, mind and way of life, should be considered when treating them, and not just the symptom of the diseases.
• HUMANISM: A system of thought that considers the solving of human problems with the help of religious beliefs; it emphasizes the fact that the basic nature of humans is good.
• BALANCE: A situation in which different things exist in equal, correct or good amount.
• ENERGY: The ability to put effort and enthusiasm into an activity or work.
• HEALING: The process of returning to normal function after a period of disease or injury.

Distinction Between Modalities

These therapies are called alternative medicine when they are used alone and complementary medicine when they are used with conventional medicine. Specifically, the word complementary conveys the idea that the techniques could be used to complement and enhance the biomedical treatments. In contrast, alternative medicine refers to the technique that replaces the allopathic medical care and includes practices not generally taught in medical schools.

Reasons to Use Alternative Therapies

There are numerous reasons why individuals seek these therapies:

• Poor prognosis or cases where the focus of care is comfort, not cure.
• Desire to be more active in one’s own health care and cover all the options.
• Reduce side effects of treatment and disease.
• Dissatisfaction with or loss of trust in conventional medicine.
• Desire to treat the disease in a natural way and improve the quality of life.
• Philosophical or cultural orientation.
• Less expensive than conventional medicine and easier access to health food stores.

Classification of Complementary and Alternative Therapies

These modalities are generally categorized into several distinct systems:

1. Alternative medical system: A complete system of theory and practice that evolved independently of biomedical approach, such as traditional Chinese medicine, homeopathic medicine, naturopathic medicine, and Ayurveda.
2. Mind body interventions: Uses a variety of techniques to enhance the influence of the mind and body’s intimate connections, including meditation, focused breathing, guided imagery, hypnosis, and music therapy.
3. Biologically based therapies: Uses practices and products which are completely natural and biological, such as nutrition and special diets (e.g., megavitamins).
4. Manipulative and body based methods: Methods which involve the manipulation and movement of the body, like massage, reflexology, acupressure, chiropractic medicine, and yoga.
5. Energy therapies: Focuses on the energy within and outside the body, such as Reiki and therapeutic touch.

The Significance in Nursing

Nursing is a holistic discipline at its essence. Likely, it is because nursing is a holistic discipline that nurses have demonstrated great enthusiasm for the techniques associated with the field of complementary and alternative care. These techniques assist nurses to address the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of care, enhancing the overall quality of patient care.