Lewis et al: Medical-Surgical Nursing: Assessment and Management of

Clinical Problems, 7th edition

Key Points

Chapter 8: Complementary and Alternative Therapies

• Complementary and alternative therapies include a broad domain of resources,

including health systems, modalities, and practices other than those intrinsic to the
dominant health system of a particular society or culture.

• This definition highlights that what might be considered “complementary and alternative”
in one country or at one period of history might be considered “conventional” in another
place or time.

• Individuals often “self-select” these therapies, using them without professional

supervision.

• Nearly half of the users of these therapies do not consult an alternative and
complementary practitioner or disclose such use to their traditional health care provider.

• Patients should be advised that complementary therapies do not replace conventional

therapies, but can often be used in combination with conventional therapies.

• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a complete system of medicine with an

individualized form of diagnosis and treatment, as well as having its focus on prevention.

• TCM includes acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and other modalities.

• Mind-body interventions are a variety of techniques designed to facilitate the mind’s

capacity to affect body function, including behavioral, psychologic, social, and spiritual
approaches to health such as imagery, biofeedback, prayer, and meditation.

• Over the past 30 years, a resurgence of interest in herbal therapy has occurred in
countries whose health care is dominated by the biomedical model.

• Medicinal plants work in much the same way as drugs; both are absorbed and trigger
biologic effects that can be therapeutic. Many have more than one physiologic effect and
thus have more than one condition for which they can be used.

• Patients should be advised that if they take herbal therapies, they should adhere to the
suggested dosage. Herbal preparations taken in large doses can be toxic.

Copyright © 2007 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.

Key Points 8-2

• Manipulative and body-based methods include interventions and approaches to health

care based on manipulation or movement of the body. Examples include chiropractic
therapy, yoga, massage, and acupressure.

• Massage is a form of touch and also a form of caring, communication, and comfort.
Nurses can use specific massage techniques as part of nursing care, when indicated by the
nursing diagnosis or patient assessment.

• Energy therapies are those that involve the manipulation of energy fields such as
Therapeutic Touch, Healing Touch, and Reiki.

• Therapeutic Touch (TT) is a method of detecting and balancing human energy that was
developed jointly by a nurse and a traditional healer.

• It is important for the nurse to collect data on the patient’s use of complementary and
alternative therapies.

Copyright © 2007 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.