ALTERNATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY

SYSTEM IN HEALTH AND THERAPIES

PRESENTED BY:-
MRS.SASMITA SAHOO
MSC (N) 1ST YEAR
INTRODUCTION
 Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM)includes various
healing process and therapies that originate from around that are not
based on conventional western medicines.
 Complementary therapy services are healing therapies used together
with conventional medicine.
 Complementary therapies aim to treat the whole person, not just the
symptom of diseases.
 Complementary therapy is known by different terms including
alternative therapy, alternative medicine, holistic therapy &
traditional medicine
DEFINITION
 Complementary & alternative medicine is group
of diverse medical & health care system, practices &
products that are not generally considered part of
conventional medicine.
 All practices and ideas defined by their users as
preventing or treating illness or promoting health
and well-being are included.”
 REASONS TO USE ALTERNATIVE
THERAPIES
 Poor prognosis
 Focus of care is comfort not cure
 Desire to be more active in one’s own health care
 Reduce side effects of treatment
 Reduce side effects of disease
 Philosophical or cultural orientation
 Less expensive than conventional medicine
 Dissatisfaction with or loss of trust in conventional medicine
 Desire to treat the disease in a natural way
 Decrease the feelings of hopelessness and helplessness
 Improve the immune system
 Improve the quality of life
 TYPES OF COMPLEMENTARY AND
ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
ALTERNATIVE MEDICAL SYSTEM
BIOLOGICALY BASED THERAPIES
MANIPULATIVE THERAPIES
. ENERGY BASED THERAPIS.
MIND BODY INTERVENTIONS.
1.ALTERNATIVE SYSTEMS OF HEALTH
SUB TYPES OF ALTERNATIVE SYSTEM OF INDIA:
 AYURVEDA
 SIDDHA
 UNANI AND TIBBI
 HOMEOPATHY
 NATUROPATHY
 HYDROTHERAPY
 YOGA
AYURVEDA (The science of life)
In Sanskrit , the word Ayurveda consist of the
words ayus , meaning “life” and veda , meaning
“realted to knowledge ,or science”
Evolving throughout its history ,Ayurveda remains
an influential system of medicine in south Asia .The
earliest literature of Ayurveda appeared during the
vedic period in India .
The Sushruta Samhita and the Charaka Samhita were
influential works on traditional medicine during this era .
Ayurvedic practitioners also identified a medicinal
preparations and surgical procedures for curing various
ailments and diseases.
AIM OF AYURVEDA
“PRAYOJANAM CHASYA – SWASTHASYA
SWASTHA RAKSHANAM ’’
AATURASYA VIKARPRASHAMANAM CHA”
According to charak samhita (an ancient ayurveda text)
ayurveda has two main objectives .
 1st is ‘swasthasya swastha rakshanam” i.e. to help the healthy
person to protect & maintain his swasthya ( wellness).
 2nd is “aaturasya vikar prashamanam” i.e. to help a diseased
person to become healthy & to stay healthy forever.
The aim is to remove the cause of disorders , prevent
illness and harmonize body ,mind and consciousness.
Ayurveda aids in maintain good health , increasing
longevity and overall quality of life .
Alternative Ayurvedic treatments and self help regimens
include :nutrition , herbal remedies , aromatherapy ,
lifestyle recommendations ,massage treatments ,color
/sound therapy ,meditation ,panckarma
(etoxification ),yoga .Ayurveda empowers the individual
to take control of their own health and well being .
According to Ayurveda, each person will be influenced by
certain elements more than others. This is because of their
prakriti, or natural constitution. Ayurveda categorizes the
different constitutions into three different doshas:
Vata dosha, in which the air and space elements dominate
Pitta dosha, in which the fire element dominates
Kapha dosha, in which the earth and water elements
dominate
DIFFERENT AYURVEDIC THERAPIES
 Ayurvedic Treatment can grossly be divided into
Shodhana and Shamana i.e. purificatory and palliative
therapy respectively.
 The shodhana therapy includes procedures that eradicate
the vitiated humors from the body. eg.vamana (emesis),
virechana (purgation), vasti (enema), nasya (nasal
errhines).
 The shaman procedure comprises techniques that pacify
the doshas or bring them back to normalcy e.g. deepana
(carminative), pachana (digestive), upavasa (fasting) etc
SIDDHA
The siddha medicine is a form of south Indian Tamil traditional
medicine a and part of the trio Indian medicines ayurveda,
siddha and unani .
The system is believed to be developed by the 9 nath and
84siddhas in the north and 18siddhas in the south called siddhar.
 Siddharas were given the concept that a healthy soul can only be
developed through a healthy body .
 So they developed methods and medication that are believed to
strengthen their physical body and thereby their souls .
 Men and women who dedicated their lives into developing the
system were called Siddharas
The normal equilibrium of three humors (vatha ,pitha and
kapha )is disturbed , disease is caused.
The factors which assumed to affect this equilibrium are
environment , climatic conditions ,diet ,physical activites ,
and stress . According to the siddha medicine system ,diet
and life style play a major role not only but also in curing
diseases .
UNANI
UNANI :As an alternative form of medicine ,unani has
found favour in Asia especially India.
In India these Unani practitioners can practice as qualified
doctors ,as the Indian government approves their practice.
 Unani medicine is very close to Ayurveda .
Both are based on theory of the presence of the elements
(in unani , they are considered to be fire ,water ,earth ,and
air ) in the human body .
According to followers of unani medicine , these elements
are present in different fluids and their balance leads to
health and their imbalance leads to illness .
HOMEOPATHY
Homeopathy is a medical science developed by Dr. Samuel
Hahnemann (1755-1843), a German physician.
According to this theory, the right medicinal substance for a
particular set of symptoms is the one that naturally produces those
symptoms in healthy people.
It is based on the principle that “like cures like”. In simple words, it
means that any substance, which can produce symptoms in a healthy
person, can cure similar symptoms in a person who is sick.
 This idea is referred to as the “Law of Similars“, and was
understood by Aristotle and Hippocrates and mentioned in ancient
Hindu manuscripts. It was Hahnemann, however, who turned it into a
science of healing.
Here are examples of this principle:
 An onion is a substance which makes your eyes water and your
nose burn. If you are having an attack of hay fever with watering
eyes and a burning nose, a homeopathic remedy made from onion
can relieve it.
 Homeopathic medicines consists of plants, animals & minerals
extracts that are diluted in water or alcohol and vigorously shaken.
It is a system of therapy based on the concept that disease can be
treated with drugs (in minute doses )which are capable of producing
the same symptoms in healthy people as the disease itself . Eg
.Thyroidinum (thyroid hormone) .
NATUROPATHY(Care your Health with
NATURE)
Naturopathy uses body's natural healing abilities in
prevention and treatment of disease through a healthy
lifestyle.
It builds immunity, improves mental health, and enhances
body functions.
Naturopathy mainly focuses on finding the cause of the
disease rather than merely treating the symptoms of disease.
It uses diet, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, herbal medicine,
and other therapies to return the body to a state where it can
heal itself.
THERAPIES CONSIDER UNDER
NATUROPATHIC TREATMENT :
1. Nutrition and dietetic
2. Fasting
3. Structural adjustment
4. Hydrotherapy
5. Healthy lifestyle
6. Education
HYDROTHERAPY
Hydro- and hydrothermal are traditional methods of
treatment used for treatment of disease and injury by
many cultures.
The recuperative and healing properties of hydrotherapy
are based on its mechanical and/or thermal effects.
Generally, heat quiets and soothes the body, slowing down
the activity of internal organs. Cold stimulates and
increases internal activity.
Water also has a hydrostatic effect. It has a massage-like
feeling as the water gently kneads the body.
Water, in motion, stimulates touch receptors on the skin,
boosting blood circulation and releasing tight muscles.
 Hydrotherapy and hydrothermal therapy are chiefly used
to tone up the body to stimulate digestion, the circulation,
and the immune system and to bring relief from pain.
YOGA
Yoga derived from Sanskrit word meaning “To Bind”.
It is unity of all the powers of body, mind and spirit based
on Hindu spiritual treatises. Classified on the teachings of
Upanishads(Ashtanga Yoga).
Integrated as eight limbed Yoga: Yams, Niyama, Asanas,
Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Samadhi.
The goal of Yoga is attainment of physical& mental well
being through mastery of body achieved through exercise,
holding of posture, proper breathing,& meditation.
BENEFITS OF YOGA THERAPY
Yoga therapy shows positive results in treating depression
 Deep breathing associated with yoga is beneficial in controlling
premature ventricular complexes .
 Yoga therapy shows significant benefits that includes emotional
functions ,fitness variations and psychological benefits . 
 It also variations in tension ,mood disturbances ,cognitive
function and gastrointestinal disturbances .
 Yoga exercises increases your body ability in using
antioxidants .This is beneficial in the prevention of cancer .
 Yoga helps in treating some problems lie asthma ,respiration
problems ,back pain ,diabetes mellitus ,arthritis
 2.BIOLOGICALLY BASED THERAPIES
Use of substances found in nature such as herbs, foods
and vitamins .There are mainly following types of
biological based therapy:
Herbal medicine
Orthomolecular medicine
 HERBAL MEDICINE
Herbal medicine is a system, which uses various remedies
derived from plants and their extracts to treat disorders and
maintain good health.
Either a whole single herb or a mixture of different herbs
can be used.
Though herbal medicine exhibits a slower and deeper
action they assist the body to eliminate and detoxify, thus
taking care of the problem that’s causing the symptoms.
Herbal medicines are available as extracts, infusions, pills,
and powders.
 
 ORTHOMOLECULAR MEDICINE
Orthomolecular medicine involves the use of proper nutrition or
nutritional supplements to maintain and restore health.
Orthomolecular medicine uses combinations of minerals, vitamins and
amino acids normally found in the body to treat specific conditions. such
as -
Arthritis
Hypertension
Beriberi
Night blindness
Osteomalacia
Pernicious anemia
Rickets
Scurvy
 NUTRITIONAL THERAPY
Nutritional therapy is a system of healing based on the
belief that food ,as a nature intended ,provides the
medicine we need to obtain and maintain a state of
health :our food is our medicine and our medicine is
our food
3. MIND BODY INTERVENTIONS
Used to enhance the mind’s capacity to affect bodily
function and symptoms.
Mind body techniques are based on the therapy that
mental and emotional factors can
influencephysicalhealth,behavioural,psychological
,social, and spiritual methods are used to preserve
health and prevent or cure disease
 MEDITATION AND BREATHING:
Meditation is a technique used to quiet the mind and
focus it in the present and to release fears, worries,
anxieties, and doubts (past ,future).
 It is an self directed practice for relaxing the body and
calming the mind using focused rhythmic breathing.
 TYPES- CONCENTRATIVE MEDITATION
MINDFULNESS/OPENING UP MEDITATION .
Meditation has been shown to have favourable effects
on heart and blood vessels functions ,immunity and
brain activity such as increasing activity in parts of the
brain associated with mental clarity .
 Meditation often induces physical realaxation ,mental
calmness ,and emotional states such as loving –
kindness .
 RELAXATION TECHNIQUES
Relaxation techniques are practices specifically designed
to relieve tension and strain .
The specific technique may be aimed at reducing activity
of the nerves that control the stress response ,lowering
blood pressure ,easing muscle tension ,slowing
metabolic processes ,or altering brain wave activity .
GUIDED IMAGERY : Guided imagery involves the use of
mental images to promote relaxation and wellness
,reduce pain or facilitate healing of a particular ailment
,such as cancer or psychological trauma . 
 HYPNOSIS
Hypnosis can be used to control pain, alter body
functions and change life style habits.
 IT Is an altered state of consciousness in which an
individual’s concentration is focused and distraction is
minimized.
Hypnosis works by activating nerve pathways in brain
that causes release of natural morphine like
substances which modify behavior and perception of
pain.
It requires a client’s active participation.
 BIOFEED BACK MECHANISM
These are group of therapeutic procedures that uses
electromechanical instruments to measure process
and provide information to persons about their
nervous system activity .
The information or feed back is given in physical ,
physiological, auditory or visual feed back signals.
People are trained to exercise some control over the
way their bodies work and involves measuring a
subject's bodily processes such as blood pressure,
heart rate, skin temperature using electronic sensors.
 4.MANIPUALTIVE AND BODY BASED
METHODS
Manipulative and body-based methods in
complementary and alternative medicine are based on
manipulation and/or movement of one or more parts
of the body
These therapies include chiropractic, massage therapy,
reflexology.
 CHIROPRACTICE
Chiropractic is based on the theory that disease conditions result
from misalignments of body structures, especially the spine.
Due to this misalignment pressure is placed on the nerve roots as
they exit the spinal column resulting in decreased function of the
nerve and the organs that they serve.
The treatment for achieving this balance is spinal manipulation
to restore correct alignment and full working order. Researches
have shown chiropractic to be effective in treating low back pain.
• Chiropractors may use x-rays, visual inspection ,muscular strength
and weakness, range of motion & posture to assess the spine for
mis- aligned vertebra
 TAI CHI:
Tai chi is a healthy form of movement, especially for
those with osteoarthritis or other musculoskeletal
impairments.  It can build core strength and improve
lower limb musculature, as well as improving posture,
balance, flexibility, and mobility.
Qigong (Chi Kung) means cultivating energy, it is a
system practiced for health maintenance, healing and
increasing vitality  Chinese system of breathing
exercises, body postures and movements, and mental
concentration, intended to maintain good health and
control the flow of vital energy.
 5.ENERGY THERAPIES
Massage therapy
Reiki therapy
Acupuncture
Reflexology
Hand mediated bio- field therapies
MASSAGE THERAPY : Benefits are categorized as physical , mental-
emotional and spiritual.
Physically, massage relaxes muscles and releases lactic acid. It improve
the flow of blood and lymph, stretch joints, and relieve pain &
congestion.
 In mental-emotional area, massage relieve anxiety and provide
relaxation.
Spiritually it provides a sense of harmony & balance
 REIKI THERAPY
Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation
that also promotes healing.
Reiki is a technique, which uses the channeling and flow of
energy through the body to improve health and promote
healing.
It is very much different from conventional healing therapies.
Because in a Reiki therapy, there are no medicines or tools
needed to heal diseases.
All a practitioner has to do is to direct energy towards the body
through the hands and the power of meditation.
 Benefits- purifies and relaxes the body, releases stress,  heals the
body & mind.
 ACUPUNCTURE
Specific points on the body are stimulated ,usually by
inserting thin needles into the skin and underlying tissues .
 Stimulation is added by using a very low voltage electric
current , by twisting the needle ,or by warming the needle
 2,000 acupuncture points on the body .Connected via 12
main and 8 secondary pathways (Meridians).
Meridians connect energy, qi (“chee”), between the surface
of the body and the internal organs
 Qi regulates spiritual, emotional, mental and physical
balance
 REFLEXOLOGY
Reflexology is the practice of stimulating points on the feet,
hands and ears to improve health or give a beneficial effect on
some other parts of the body.
Stimualtion of these areas is believed to eliminate the blockage
of energy responsible for pain or disease in body part .
Based on the principle that hands and feet are mirrors of body
and have reflex points corresponding to body’s glands,
structures, and organs.
 When a reflex area is massaged, it stimulates the
corresponding organs in that zone.  Like other massage it can
stimulates relaxation affecting autonomic response which in
turn affects the endocrine and immune systems.
 HAND MEDATED BIO –FIELD
THERAPIES
Therapeutic touch is a mostly secular variant of faith
healing .
• Therapeutic touch practitioner moves his hands over
the patient body , specifically the affected area
,without actually touching the patient .
• They believe that by placing their hands on or near a
patient’s body they can direct energy and correct
disturbances.
 OTHER THERPIES
AROMATHERAPY: Based on premise that odours
stimulate the limbic system help control pain & stress.
Oil can be massaged in to the body, applied as hot or
cold compress added to water or inhaled.  Aromas
are detected by olfactory receptor , stimuli travel along
nerves to brain where they play a role in emotions ,
memory & a variety of body functions.
SPIRITUAL THERAPY
PRAYER
MUSIC THERAPY
HUMOR AND LAUGHTER
PET THERAPY
DANCE THERAPY
NON CONTACT THERAPEUTIC TOUCH
DETOXIFICATION
  
Role of Nurse in Complementary and Alternative Therapy

In interest of safe & effective practice, nurses are expected to maintain
current knowledge base and obtain ongoing education in areas of practice.
 In using any therapy a nurse must observe the Code of Professional Conduct
,as well as the requirements of legislation..
The individual nurse is responsible to judge whether her /his qualification
education and or experience in use of complementary therapy has brought
her /him to a level of competence to use that skill.

 The informed consent of the individual or his /her guardian is essential

prior to the provision of any therapy.
Therapeutic interventions should be supported by written policies and
protocols which are endorsed by the employing facility.
Practice of complementary therapies should be incorporated into the total
care of the individual.
Multidisciplinary team approach should be used
where relevant
The practice of complementary therapies should be
appropriately documented.
The practice of complementary therapy should be
supported by quality assurance activities.
 Nurses should know client religious & cultural view
points so that to determine which complementary
therapies would be more appropriate with client
believes & values
REFERNCES
Shebeer.P.Basheer, S. Yaseen khan, A Concise Test book of
ADVANCED Nursing practice. EMMESS 2nd edition pp 625-
638.
 The National Library of Medicine
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed/
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative
Medicine http://nccam.nih.gov/
 The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
http://ods.od.nih.gov/
Babyworld.co.uk/2011/10/complementary-therapy- for labour.
