Compleme

Integrative Med
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 Disclaimers
• I am not an expert on all modalities of Integrative
medicine.
• This session is not to serve in place of medical
treatment and advice. Please formally consult your
medical provider for treatment of any and all
ailments.
 What is Complementary Medicine
Complementary medicine is a group of
diagnostic and therapeutic disciplines that are
used together with conventional medicine. Its
also commonly called Integrative Medicine.
•

• such as aromatherapy to lessen a patient’s

discomfort after surgery.
Integrative (CAM) vs Alternative Medicine
Integrative medicine is the uses of alternative
medicine together with conventional medicine.
While alternative medicine is used in place of
conventional medicine.
•

• An example of alternative therapy is using a

special diet to treat cancer instead of
undergoing surgery, radiation, and
chemotherapy that has been recommended
by a physician.
 Integrative (CAM) Medicine
Includes:
acupuncture herbalism osteopathic - omt
aromatherapy hypnosis reflexology
biofeedback massage spiritual healing
chiropractic meditation tai chi
diet naturopathy chinese medicine
energy medicine nutritional yoga
 Do older adults use Integrative/CAM?
• Recent studies show 30%-58% of older adults use
CAM.
• A significant concern is 58% do not discuss these
therapies with their medical doctor.
• Only 35% reported CAM was in the patient’s chart.
• Many using CAM assume “natural” equals
“benign”
• A number of CAM practices have significant
interactions and contraindications with
conventional medical treatment.
Complementary and Alternative Therapies
1. Traditional Chinese medicine
•

• acupuncture and naturopathic medicine

2. Mind-Body Interventions
•

• meditation, prayer, art, music, and tai chi

3. Biological based therapies
•

• herbs, foods, vitamins, supplements, natural

4. Manipulative and Body-based methods
•

• chiropractic/osteopathic manipulation, tai chi,

massage
5. Energy therapies
•

• therapeutic/healing touch, bioelectrical fields, reiki

 Traditional Chinese medicine
Acupuncture - Chi vs nerve stimulation and blood
flow
5-20 needles
afterwards may feel lightheaded but generally relaxed
Safety:
•

Bleeding disorder,
•

• Pacemaker
• Pregnancy
Uses: Pain, Nausea, Opioid addiction
 Traditional Chinese medicine
• Aromatherapy
•

Essential oils rose, lavender, frankincense

•

• Used for:
•

• Anxiety, depression, sleep, pain

 Mind-Body Medicine
• Variety of techniques designed to enhance the
mind’s capacity to affect bodily function and
symptoms.
• Some techniques considered integrative/CAM in the
past are today considered main stream (patient
support groups and cognitive behavioral therapy).
• Other mind body techniques:
• meditation, prayer, mental healing, arts, music,
animal therapy, deep breathing, biofeedback,
Spirituality
 Mind-Body Medicine
Mind body techniques include:
meditation, prayer, mental healing, arts, music, animal
therapy, deep breathing, biofeedback, Spirituality

Animal therapy Mental healing

Art therapy Music
Biofeedback Prayer
Deep breathing Sound therapy
Meditation Spirituality
 Mind-Body Medicine
• Meditation/Prayer/Stress reduction may confer
lasting benefit: long term follow up (average of 7.6
years) of 202 persons 55+ who participated in
studies involving meditation showed:
• Decreased by 23% all cause mortality
• Decreased by 30% cardiovascular mortality
• Decreased by 49% cancer mortality compared with
control subjects in the same studies.
 Biological based therapy
Biological medicine includes herbs, foods, vitamins,
supplements, natural supplements
Black Cohash Menopausal Symptoms
Echinacea Immune health
Fish oil Anti-inflammatory
Glucosamine/Chond Arthritis
Probiotics Irritable Bowel, cold, eczema
Saw Palmetto Prostate
Turmeric Cholesterol, Arthritis
 Biological based therapy
Nutrition
• 15% adults age 60+ have what is considered a
“poor” diet from: too few meals, meals lacking vital
nutrients, or simply inadequate produce and protein
intake.
• Frequently seen in seniors who live alone, have
untreated dental problems, or difficulty swallowing.
• Medications can alter taste and suppress appetite.
 Biological based therapy
Biological medicine - memory
• Balanced diet may be difficult to achieve every day.
Supplement with B vitamins (B2, B6, B12) to help
improve energy and maintain healthy memory.
 Biological based therapy
• Biological medicine - bone health
• Calcium and Vitamin D supplementation may also
be necessary to protect your bones. Many
multivitamins contain the necessary daily intake for
seniors, but remember to mention this supplement
to your physician as increased vitamin
supplementation may interact with particular
medications.
•
 Biological based therapy
• Biological medicine - Pain - anti-inflammatory
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids found in fish oil, with DHA
and EPA have been shown to have anti-
inflammatory effects
• Turmeric can reduce inflammation and improve
pain within the body. Consider 1-2 teaspoons of the
spice to your evening meals or morning smoothie.
 Biological based therapy
• Constipation: Affects almost 30% of the elderly.
While it may be the sign of a more serious problem,
typically, most constipation is caused by
medications.
• Many individuals find it difficult to get adequate fiber
and fluid. To alleviate this problem, consider adding
1-2 cups of peppermint tea to your diet. This
improves gut motility.
• Consider also taking a probiotic.
• Movement also stimulates the gut. Attempt to
stretch or go for a brisk walk for 15-20 minutes
daily.
 Manipulative and Body- based therapy
• Tai Chi - systematic exercise and martial art in China
for more than 2000 years. Slow circular movements
require muscles to remain relaxed while making a
sustained, even, and continuous effort.
• It can be considered both a body based and an energy
based practice, as it is purported to move chi the life
energy. Tai Chi is a standardized and manualized
series of exercises based on Tai Chi that has been
adapted for Western elders and is easily taught and
well tolerated.
 Manipulative and Body- based therapy
• The Cochrane Review determined tai chi is likely
effective in preventing falls in the elderly. It is more
effective than brisk walking in improving balance,
flexibility, and lower extremity strength.
• It decreases the likelihood of falls at 6 months and
improves static balance.
• Further, it has been shown to increase physical
functioning, increase reported feelings of relaxation,
increase energy, and decrease fatigue.
• Tai chi has been found to acutely decrease
sympathetic nervous system activity, thus reduce
stress.
 Energy therapy
Energy Therapy
• Healing touch
• Heat
• Light
• Reiki
• Sound
• Spirituality
Questi