Complementary Therapies.
Task 1.
Acupuncture- oriental therapy
Acupuncture is the stimulation of the special points on the body, usually by inserting needles. Originating in the Far East about 2000 years ago, it has made various appearances in the western medicine. Acupuncture recent popularity in the west dates from the 1970s when president Nixon visited china.
In its original form acupuncture was based on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine. According to these the workings of the human body are controlled by a force or energy called qi (pronounced chee"), which circulates the whole body between organs on channels called meridians.
There are 12 main meridians in the body each of which correspond with a major function or organ in the body.
Qi energy must flow in the correct strength and quality through each meridian for health to be maintained. The acupuncture points provide a means of altering the flow are positioned along the meridians the skill of acupuncture is knowing where and how to stimulate the skin and subcutaneous structures in order to achieve the desired result. The point may be stimulated with needles or alternatively an electrical current or by laser heat and massage.
Treatment is usually painless although the patient may feel some dull heavy pain this is associated with a positive response relief mat be immediate or improvement may take several sections although some patients don't respond at all there is a growing interest by the general public in natural forms of medicine, unfortunately in the UK anyone is allowed to set up as an acupuncturist and treat patients medically qualified acupuncturists are responsible to the general medical council. The British medical acupuncture society was formed in 1980 members include general practioners, rheumotoliogists, anaesthetists, pain specialists and orthopedic surgeons as well as dentists and vets.
Aromatherapy touch therapy.
Aromatherapy is the practice of using oils extracted from aromatic plants to enhance health and appearance. Essential oils contain the scent of the flowers, leaves, and steams, roots or bark from which they come and have been used as perfumes for thousands of years. Essential oils are said to sooth away tension, improve concentration, lift depression, fight infection, speed healing and reduce inflammation aromatherapy is perhaps the most luxurious treatment for mind and body.
There are different odors in aromatherapy also known, as notes such ass top middle and bottom all of these should be blended to reach desired affect.
Top notes include lemon characterized by first impressions,
Middle notes include geranium the bouquet of the heart,
Bottom/base note include ginger the note that lasts and takes longer to notice
There are a few different ways of using aromatherapy some of which include massage and inhalation.
Massage - essential oils are probably best used in massage, oils must be diluted in a carrier oil such as grape seed oil or almond oil before being applied to the skin or it will cause great irritation. Smooth firm massage strokes are best used as they warm the skin and aid the penetration of essential oils, vigorous hooking and squeezing should be avoided, as the ...
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Bottom/base note include ginger the note that lasts and takes longer to notice
There are a few different ways of using aromatherapy some of which include massage and inhalation.
Massage - essential oils are probably best used in massage, oils must be diluted in a carrier oil such as grape seed oil or almond oil before being applied to the skin or it will cause great irritation. Smooth firm massage strokes are best used as they warm the skin and aid the penetration of essential oils, vigorous hooking and squeezing should be avoided, as the aim of the massage is to calm and relax.
Bath oils and vaporizers - essential oils added to your bath water will penetrate your skin and as they are highly volatile the steam will carry them for best results close all doors and windows leading into your bathroom. Steaming offers a more direct inhalation to make a vaporizer fill a basin half full with boiling water add a few drops of oil and inhale with a towel over your head for as long as possible. Aromatherapy is mostly practiced at beauty clinics, at gyms and at home, although it is very popular and has a good result the NHS does not practice it. There is a regulating body for aromatherapy.
Safety and aromatherapy.
* Never take oils internally.
* Don't apply undiluted oils to the skin unless advised to by aromatherapies.
* Women who are (or may be) pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid cinnamon, basil, juniper, fennel, rosemary, thyme, clary sage, oregano, clove, nutmeg, bay pimento berry, sage hyssop, wintergreen and birch oils.
* Don't leave flame unattended.
Herbal medicine medical therapy.
Herbal medicine is the use of plants for healing purposes. Chinese herbalism is the most prevalent of the ancient herbal traditions currently practiced in Britain today. It is based on the concept of yin and yang and on the concept of qi energy.
Spending on herbal products in the UK is over £40 million a year mainly in self prescribed drugs.
Herbal practitioners take care in taking extensive case histories and performing physical examinations. Particular care it paid to the state of every day processes e.g. appetite, digestion, urination defects and sleep patients are then prescribed individual combinations of drugs these can be taken as alcohol extracts, teas, syrups, pills, ointments and compresses.
Differences from conventional drug use
Three main differences - use of whole plant extracts containing several different constituents. They claim that these can work together so effects of the herb are greater.
Herb combining - often several different herbs are used together.
Diagnosis - herbal practitioners use different diagnosis principles from conventional practioners. For example when treating arthritis they might observe the patient where a conventional practioners will prescribe a drug. There is a regulating body for herbal medicine. Called the national institute of medical herbalists it was set up in 1864 only graduates of approved courses are reregistered and a strict code of ethics is maintained.
Compare and contrast.
Aromatherapy
Acupuncture
Herbal medicine
For healing relaxing and cosmetic therapy.
For healing and relaxing.
For healing.
Touch therapy.
Oriental therapy.
Medical therapy.
Can be dangerous to when breast feeding, pregnant and very young.
Can be dangerous if needles are not sterilized or electric current is too high.
Need to be careful of diagnosis and drug dosage.
No governing body.
British medical acupuncture society. (1980)
National institute of medical herbalism. (1864)
Not available on NHS.
Available on NHS.
Not available on NHS.
Based on massage and inhalation
Based on qi energy
Based on yin and yang and qi energy
No practioners seen as many people practice in there own home
Always see a practioners
See a practioners unless buying over the counter
Users and practioners.
Task 2.
Complementary medicine seems to becoming more popular in Britain media coverage, specialized publications and numbers of therapists have all increased dramatically in the past 20 years.
Levels of use
The most rigorous UK survey of use of complementary medicine estimates that in 1993, 33% if the population had used some form of complementary medicine and over 10% had consulted a practioners in the previous year. This survey also showed that complementary therapy is divided into a few major disciplines - osteopathy, chiropractic, homeopathy, acupuncture and herbalism are amongst the most popular in the UK.
Practioners
The number and profile of complementary practioners is changing rapidly. In 1981 about 13,500 registered practioners were working in the UK by 1997 this number had trebled to 40,000 with three disciplines healing aromatherapy and reflexology.
Complementary medicine provided by the NHS
A substantial amount of complementary medicine is provided by conventional healthcare professionals with existing NHS services, and this provision seems to be increasing. In 1987 a regional survey of general practioners revealed that 16% practiced in complementary medicine. A UK wide survey in 1995 showed that amongst 40% of all GPs offered some form of access to complementary medicines for there NHS patients, of which 70% was paid for by the NHS. Most of these referrals were provided via a member of the primary health care team.
Intergrading complementary medicine into conventional settings
Successful integration is most likely with
* Demands from patients.
* Commitment from all staff.
* Time for educating all staff.
* Ongoing evaluating of service.
* Links with other conventional establishments.
* Intergrading complementary medicine
* Realism and good will from all patients.
* Jointly agreed guidelines from both complementary and conventional practioners.
* Support from senior management.
* Careful selection and supervision of complementary practioners.
* Funding from chartable or voluntary sectors.
Problems are likely with
* Financial insecurity.
* Time pressure.
* Lack of appropriate premises.
* Unrealistic expectations.
* Overwhelming demand.
* Inappropriate referrals.
* Unresolved differences in perspective between complementary and conventional practioners.
* Real or perceived lack of evidence and effectiveness.
* Lack of resources and time for reflection and evaluation.
Use of complementary medicine worldwide
Country
Seeing a practioner
Using any form of treatment
UK
0.5% in past year
33% ever
Australia
20% in past year
46% in past year
USA
1% in past year
34% in past year
Belgium
24% in past year
66-75% ever
France
--------------------
49% ever
Netherlands
6-7% in past year
8% ever
Germany
0% in past year
20-30% ever
Most popular therapies in the UK
984
989
993
Acupuncture
Acupuncture
Acupuncture
Chiropractic
Chiropractic
Chiropractic
Herbal medicine
Herbalism
Herbalism
Homeopathy
Homeopathy
Homeopathy
Osteopathy
Osteopathy
Osteopathy
(All data taken from research council for complementary medicine.)
Bibliography
* Abc of complementary medicine c zollman BMJ 2000
* The body shop book MacDonald and co 1985
* Get fit for life k shapland anness publishing ltd 2001
* Research council for complementary medicine
Internet sights
www.goodbodies.co.uk (aromatherapy web sight)
www.medical-acupuncture.co.uk (British medical acupuncture society)
www.bcma.co.uk (British medical acupuncture society)
Content.
Front cover page 1
Content page 2
Introduction page 3
Task 1 page 4
Compare and contrast page 9
Task 2 page 10
Bibliography page 13
Appendix page 14
Introduction.
Complementary therapies can be practiced in the home at work in the doctors' surgery at the dentist and at the hospital. Complementary medicine refers to a group of therapeutic and diagnostic disciplines that exist largely outside the institutions where conventional health care is taught and provided. Complementary medicine is an increasing feature of health care practice, but considerable confusion remains about what exactly it is and what position the disciplines include under this term should hold in relation to conventional medicine.
In the 1970s and 1980s these disciplines were mainly provided as an alternative to conventional health care and became known as "alternative medicine." The name complementary medicine developed as the two systems began to be used alongside each other.
Appendix.
Conclusion.
Although complementary therapies is still not completely believed to heal it has taken a strong hold in the western society. Aromatherapy is practiced in 70% of western house holds and is believed to make a change however small or large in emotions, energy and moods. Acupuncture is available on the NHS in hospitals and large GP surgery's (health care centers). It is safe to be used on the young and old and can cure a range of diseases conditions and disorders but can take a few sections to make even a small difference. Herbalism is seen to be able to cure a wide range of conditions by using a variety of herbs and plants as "drugs" these "drugs" are available over the counter or prescribed by a qualified herbal practioner. But is not available on the NHS and can be expensive to purchase.
Task 2
Make a list of complementary therapies and their professional organizations. Investigate complaints procedure within these therapies.
Aromatherapy trade council (ATC)
The ATC is the UK authoritative body for the Aromatherapy essential oil trade. The ATC was formed following a conference in November 1993 on essential oils and public safety membership is open to those who agree to comply with the aims and objectives of the ATC.
Aromatherapy organizations council (AOC)
The AOC the UKS governing body for aromatherapy, is a democratic organization representing 12 professional associations, their 115 or so accredited training establishments and their 6000 therapists. The governing body was implemented in January 1994.
The acupuncture society
the acupuncture society is a professional body of acupuncture practitioners it was formed to promote the development of Chinese acupuncture ,herbal medicine, herbal medicine and diagnosis as an effective medical practice.
On the 29 October 1996 the London authorities recognized the acupuncture society as a professional body
British complementary association (BCMA)
What is the BCMA?
An umbrella organization representing 60 organizations, associations, schools and colleges and approx25, 000 practioners
All practioners accepted to BCMA are subject to BCMA code of conduct/ code of ethics.
One million pounds insurance for each practioners
Disciplinary procedures