5: Complimentary Therapies

Question 1

o Why should we know about them?

Answer 1

So we can have informed discussions with patients
sometimes integrated into rehabilitation settings and can be offered responsibly and in conjunction with other treatments

Question 2

o alternative medicine:

Answer 2

practices used in place of conventional medical treatments

Question 3

o complementary medicine:

Answer 3

practices used in conjunction and cooperation with conventional medicine

Question 4

allopathic medicine

Answer 4

The treatment of disease by conventional means

Question 5

holistic view:

Answer 5

See the person as a whole, including physical, mental, spiritual well-being.

Question 6

integrative health :

Answer 6

bringing conventional and complimentary approaches together

Question 7

o TCM:

Answer 7

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Question 8

What is Qi

Answer 8

concept of the “vital life force” existing both inside and outside of the body, force that composes and binds all things in the universe together

Question 9

· yin/yang concept:

Answer 9

A balanced relationship means health; a disturbed relationship is disease. A balanced (think homeostasis) relationship results in strong qi, and healthy body systems

Question 10

types of treatment:

Answer 10

· Herbal Medicines
· Acupuncture
· Moxibustion
· Massage (Tuina)
· Cupping
· Guasha
· Qigong & Tai Chi
· Diet & Nutrition

Question 11

o Ayurveda:

Answer 11

The Science of Life

Question 12

Ayurveda basics

Answer 12

Started in India more than 5,000 years ago
o Each person has a unique pattern of energy
o Factors in the body, and environment, can affect this energy

Question 13

o Treatment Ayurveda

Answer 13

maintaining balance
o Balance is the natural order; imbalance is disorder
o Each person is born with a ‘constitution’
o Diet+ lifestyle appropriate to one’s individual constitution strengthen the body, mind and consciousness.

Question 14

Energies & elements:

Answer 14

3 energies: Vata, Pitta, Kapha

Question 15

o Indigenous Healing:

Answer 15

Variable for each nation, with some commonal, holistic practice that aims to treat imbalances in a person’s body, mind, emotions, and spirit together

Question 16

o purpose of the First Nations’ Health Authority:

Answer 16

supporting First Nations in protecting, incorporating and promoting their traditional medicines and practices

Question 17

o Medicine Wheel

Answer 17

o A circle that represents the cycles of life
o Divided into four quadrants, each with a different colour, represent the 4 seasons, 4 directions, 4 sacred animals, 4 sacred plants, and elements of importance in people’s lives
o Traditional healing can also be based on season b/c seasons can influence the practices being done
o various Indigenous healers use plants, trees, herbs, soils, food, and water from the land around them

Question 18

o Naturopathy: what is it?

Answer 18

distinct primary health care system that blends modern scientific knowledge with traditional+natural forms of medicine
stimulate the healing power of the body+treat the underlying cause of disease

Question 19

o Acupuncture theory

Answer 19

When body is healthy, Qi flows smoothly through meridians that make up a network of pathways through body
o When the balance/flow of Qi is deficient/obstructed it may be diseased/susceptible to illness

Question 20

what is Acupuncture Canada:

Answer 20

-Often used in other practices, TCM practitioners are the most trained
-Acupuncture+ related modalities are universally available, accessible, recognized to improve health + well-being.
o Acupuncture Canada promotes acupuncture + related modalities through continuing education and support for regulated health professionals.
o In North America acupuncture is often used when western medicine has failed

Question 21

o Acupressure:

Answer 21

Uses the same meridians+concepts of acupuncture
o Can be done at home by clients
o Use of fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body’s natural self-curative abilities.
o When these points are pressed, they release muscular tension and promote the circulation of blood and Qi to aid healing

Question 22

o Qi Gong:

Answer 22

typically involves moving meditation, coordinating slow flowing movement, deep rhythmic breathing, and calm meditative state of mind

Question 23

o Tai Chi:

Answer 23

moving form of yoga and meditation combined, 108 movements

Question 24

o Herbal Medicine:

Answer 24

Used in both TCM and Ayurveda
o Some herbs are common in both (ex: turmeric)
o herbs balance the body
o Ayurvedic treatment often also include massage

Question 25

o Yoga: 2 types

Answer 25

o resorative yoga: props are used for support the body so that you can hold poses for longer, allowing you to open your body through passive stretching
o chair yoga: adapted to seated position

Question 26

o Metta:

Answer 26

means unconditional and unattached loving-kindness
o The object of mettā meditation is to cultivate goodwill and compassion towards all sentient beings

Question 27

o Healing circle:

Answer 27

-convened to discuss a problem or question
o Members sit in a circle, the leader, facilitator, or elder opens with a prayer
o A talking stick is passed around the circle; only the person holding the stick can speak and the circle ends when the talking stick has passed one time around the circle without anyone being interrupted
o the healing circle is a place to pour out thoughts, feelings, and experiences, and get support and healing

Question 28

o Sweat Lodge:

Answer 28

Dome-shaped structure used for purification and healing rites
Inside, stones are heated on a fire and water is poured on the stones to create steam which helps ceremony participants sweat out toxins and impurities and is thus thought to promote healing

Question 28

o Smudging:

Answer 28

A ceremony to cleanse a person/place of negative thoughts and feelings, purify the soul, + bring clarity to the mind
o In a shell or small container, the four sacred plants (sage, sweetgrass, cedar, and tobacco) ignited
o The flames are blown out + the resulting smoke is wafted around a person or place with a hand or eagle feather
o After the ceremony, the ashes are disposed of on the bare soil - these ashes are thought to contain the negative thoughts and feelings

Question 28

o Homeopathy:

Answer 28

Symptoms are recorded and closely matched to material that causes similar symptoms in a healthy person
o Homeopathic theory states that a small diluted amount of this substance will help to direct a body’s innate healing mechanisms towards balance (treating like with like)

Question 29

o Vitamins & Minerals:

Answer 29

Naturopaths check imbalances in many ways: symptoms analysis, lab tests, physical exam, etc.
o Deliver vitamins orally, infusions, injections

Question 29

o Hypnotherapy:

Answer 29

o What it treats:
May help in pain management to avoid use of opoids, IBS, PTSD, Mental illness, endometriosis

Question 30

Hypnotherapy process

Answer 30

Often begins with calm visualization
o Followed by a deepening procedure
o And then introduces affirmations
o Guided or self-hypnosis are both possible

Question 31

Hypnotherapy: What is happening

Answer 31

o Dampens frontal cortex activity, which reduces our focus on decision making, planning, etc.
o Activity is increased in other areas
o Become more open, suggestible, and capable of creating intense sensations
o **There is lots of research into this and the actual neurophysiology is not known 100%

Question 32

o Feldenkrais: Theory

Answer 32

: believed that if the body’s large muscles and bones perform as much of every movement as possible, then smaller muscles are free to perform precise, repetitive actions efficiently and without strain
o The method shows participants how the simplest action - breathing, sitting, standing, turning - can create habitual tension or prevent the body from moving with the efficiency for which it was designed

Question 33

Does Feldenkrais Theory work?

Answer 33

A 2022 systematic review showed “therapeutic effects comparable to other physiotherapy techniques in patients with spine pain”
o Also saw “improvements in mobility and balance…in the elderly and people with neurodegenerative diseases”

Question 34

o Osteopathy: Training:

Answer 34

o A profession on its own, but also practiced by PTs, RMTs, etc.
o There are doctors of osteopathy, and osteopathic manual practitioners
o The Drs are trained in the US as MDs, can practice in Canada

Question 35

o Focus: Osteopathy

Answer 35

Focuses on medical treatment through manipulation of joints, stretching, fascial work, etc.
o Usually a gentle approach

Question 36

o Craniosacral: Theory:

Answer 36

Theoretical basis is an assumed disruption of the flow of the cerebrospinal fluid and an altered craniosacral rhythm

Question 37

o Rolfing: Theory:

Answer 37

found it useful to approach the body as a group of units (head, shoulders, trunk, pelvis, and limbs) interacting with each other and gravity

Question 38

Rolfing Treatment:

Answer 38

friction massage focusing on releasing restrictions in the deep fascial planes in the body allowing shortened muscles to relax and lengthen, with the goal of aligning the body

Question 39

o Reiki: Theory:

Answer 39

energy healing that usually involves the practitioner laying his of her hands slightly off 12 specific location of the body of the person being treated allowing ki (or vital life force) flow from the practitioner to the person

Question 40

o Pilates: Cadillac bed:

Answer 40

apparatus to rehabilitate them right from their hospital beds and wheelchairs

Question 41

Reformer:

Answer 41

glides forward & backward on rollers and uses springs for resistance, along with other attachments, for a wide variety of exercises and positions

Question 42

Focus: Winsor:

Answer 42

postural awareness, breathing control, core stability and body balance

Question 43

o Stott:

Answer 43

Focus on optimal strength, flexibility and endurance
o Stress-relieving method

Question 44

o IMS: Technique:

Answer 44

Utilizes acupuncture needles carefully inserted into shortened muscles to stimulate the relaxation and lengthening of the muscle

Question 45

IMS Theory

Answer 45

Based on the theory of releasing super sensitized muscle spindle
o Tight palpable band
o The “ twitch response” is considered a sign of a successful treatment