Chapter 8 Flashcards
(25 cards)
Alternative medicine
A group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not currently considered part of conventional medicine and are used as alternatives to conventional treatment.
Acupuncture
An ancient Chinese form of analgesia that consists of inserting needles into specific points on the skin and continuously stimulating the needles.
Acupressure
The application of pressure rather than needles to the points used in acupuncture.
Ayurveda
A system of medicine that originated in India more than 2,000 years ago; it emphasizes the attainment of health through balance and connection with all things in the universe.
Probiotics
Consist of live microorganisms that occur naturally in the digestive tract that people take to enhance digestion or to remedy digestive problems.
Functional foods
components of a normal diet that have biologically active components, such as soy, chocolate, cranberries, and other foods containing antioxidants.
Chiropractic adjustments
involve applying pressure with the hands or with a machine that forces a joint to move beyond its passive range of motion.
Mind–body medicine
the term applied to a variety of techniques based on the notion that the brain, mind, body, and behavior interact in complex ways and that emotional, mental, social, and behavioral factors exert important effects on health
Transcendental Meditation
Par- ticipants who practice this type of meditation usually sit with eyes closed and muscles relaxed. They then focus attention on their breathing and silently repeat a sound, such as “om” or any other personally meaningful word or phrase, with each breath for about 20 minutes.
Mindfulness meditation
In mindfulness meditation, people usually sit in a relaxed, upright posture and focus on any thoughts or sensations as they occur, trying to enhance their own awareness of their perceptions and thought processes in a nonjudgmental way
Guided Imagery
people conjure up a calm, peaceful image, such as the repetitive rhythmic roar of an ocean or the quiet beauty of an outdoor scene. They then concentrate on that image for the duration of a sit- uation, often one that is painful or anxiety provoking
Yoga
includes physical postures, breathing, and meditation, and its goal is to balance body, mind, and spirit.
Qi Gong
the practice or cultivation (gong) of the qi (energy) by postures and simple movements that channel vital energy and restore balance in the body.
Tai chi
involves slow, gentle movements that shift the weight while the person maintains an upright yet relaxed posture and controlled breathing
Biofeedback
The process of providing feedback information about the
status of a biological system to that system.
Electromyograph (EMG) feedback
Feedback that reflects activity of the skeletal muscles.
Thermal biofeedback
Feedback concerning changes in skin temperature.
Induction
The process of being placed into a hypnotic state.
Raynaud’s disease
A vasoconstrictive disorder characterized by inadequate circulation in the extremities, especially the fingers or toes, resulting in pain.
What medical systems represent alternatives to conventional medicine?
The alternative medical systems include TCM, Ayurvedic medicine, naturopathy, and homeop- athy. TCM and Ayurvedic medicine are ancient; naturopathy and homeopathy arose in the 19th century and gained popularity in the early 20th century. Each of these systems presents a theory of health and disease as well as practices for diagnosis and treatment. All of the alternative systems share the concept of vital energy and the notion that bringing the mind and body together is important to health.
What products and diets count as alternative medicine?
Alternative products include dietary supplements, including nonvitamin products such as echinacea, glucosamine, omega-3 fatty acids, and a variety of herbs, extracts, and special foods that may be taken as curatives or preventatives. Diets such as the Atkins, Ornish, Zone, and various vegetarian diets may be undertaken to maintain or enhance health or to control risk factors for disease.
What manipulative practices fall within alternative practices?
Manipulative techniques include chiropractic and massage
What is mind–body medicine?
Mind–body medicine is the term applied to a variety of techniques that are based on the notion that the brain, mind, body, and behavior interact in complex ways and that emotional, mental, social, and behavioral factors exert important effects on health.
Who uses complementary and alternative medicine?
Countries vary in CAM usage, and within countries, some demographic factors predict CAM use. Australia, Canada, and some European countries show higher percentages of the population seeking CAM treatments than in the United States. Within the United States, ethnicity shows some relationship to CAM use, with European American, well-educated, and upper-income individuals using CAM more often than others. In all countries, women are more likely than men to use CAM.
