Complimentary and alternative

systems of medicine
B y: -
Ko m a l
Preeti
Pradeep
Santosh
Introduction
◦ Complemtary and alternative medicine (CAM)- includes various healing approaches
and therapies that originate from around the world and that are not based on
conventional western medicine. These therapies are called alternative medicine
when they are used with conventional medicine.
◦ Alternative medicine includes therapies and health care practices not widely taught
in most medical schools. However, many such practices are popular, and some are
used in hospitals.
◦ Patients are more likely to seek alternative medicine for conditions such as chronic
low back pain, stress, migraine headaches, menopausal symptoms, cancer, and
arthritis. Some patients seek alternative medicine when conventional medicine
offers little hope, especially at the end of life.
Terminologies
1. Holism:- The idea that the whole of the sick person. Including their body, mind and
way of life. Should be considered when treating them, and not just the symptom of
disease.
2. Humanism:- A system of thought that considers the solving human problems with the
help of religious beliefs. It emphasizes the fact that the basic nature of humans is
good.
3. Balance:- A situation in which different things exist inequal, correct or good amount.
4. Energy:- the ability to put effort and enthusiasm into an activity, work etc.
5. Healing:- the process of returning to normal function after a period of disease or
injury.
Definition of complementary and
alternative therapy
◦Complementary and alternative medicines is a group of diverse medical and
health care systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered
part of conventional medicines.
Basic concepts
◦Several concepts are common to most alternative practices. These
are holism, humanism, balance, spirituality, energy and healing
environments.
Types of complementary and
alternative Medicine
1. Alternative medical systems
2. Biologically based treatments
3. Mind-body techniques
4. Manipulative and body-based methods
5. Energy therapies
 Whole medical system
 It includes the following:-
• Ayurveda
• Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM):
acupuncture and acupressure.
• Unani
• Siddha
• Homeopathy
• Naturopathy
Healing modalities
1. Alternative medical systems
Ayurveda
Ayurveda is a system of healing based on homeopathy and naturopathy,
with an extensive use of herbs. Ayurveda ( Devanagari, the ‘science of
life’) is a system of traditional medicine native to the Indian sub continent.
originated > 5000 years ago and practiced in other parts of the world as a
form of alternative medicine.
In Sanskrit, the word ayurveda consists of the words Ayus, meaning ‘life’
and Veda, meaning related to knowledge of ‘science’.
Unani
◦Unani medicine is based on the Greece philosophy. According to basic
principles of Unani, the body is made up of the four basic elements, i.e. Earth,
.Air, Water, Fire which have different temperaments, i.e. Cold, Hot, Wet, Dry.
◦Treatment dependent on the temperament (Mizaj), hereditary effects, signs and
symptoms, external observation, examination of the pulse (Nubz), urine and
stool.
◦Diet therapy (ilaj-bil-ghiza), climatic therapy (ilaj-bil-hawa), regimental
therapy (ilaj-bit-tadbir; includes diaphoresis, diuresis, massage, cauterization,
emesis, exercise).
◦Pharmacotherapy (ilaj-bid-dawa): local herbal drugs. Only minor surgery is in
vogue in this system.
Traditional Chinese medication (TCM)
◦ It is one of the most comprehensive medical systems. Practitioners of TCM view human
beings in terms of five dimensions. These include
◦ Qi { energy resulting from interaction between Yin ( cold, Heavy, moist and negative ) and
Yang ( hot, dry, light and positive)}
◦ Jing (genetic material of physical body)
◦ Shen (spirit)
◦ Blood
◦ Yin Ye fluids (lubricates the organs)
Acupuncture
◦ It is an alternative medicine that treats patients by insertion and manipulation of needles in the
body. Its proponents variously claim that it relieves pain, treats infertility, treats disease,
prevents dises, promotes general health, or can be used for therapeutic purposes.
◦ There are numerous theories about how acupuncture works:
It stimulates the release of pain-relieving endorphins.
It influences the release of neurotransmitters.
It influences the autonomic nervous system.
It stimulates circulation.
It influences the electrical currents of the body.
Acupressure
◦It is an ancient healing art that uses the fingers to press key points on the
surface of the skin to stimulate the body’s natural self-curative abilities. When
these points are pressed, they release muscular tension and promote the
circulation of blood and the body’s life force to aid healing. Acupuncture and
acupressure use the same points, but acupuncture employs needles, while
acupressure uses the gentle but firm pressure of hands (and even feet).
Homeopathy
◦ Homeopathy is a form of alternative medication which practitioners treat patients using highly
dilute preparations that are believed to cause healthy people to exhibit symptoms that are
similar to those exhibited by the patient.
◦ The basic principle of homeopathy, known as the “ law of similar’’, “let like be cured by like”.
siddha
◦ Siddha medicine is a form of medical treatment of diseases using substances of all possible origins in a
way that balances the possible harmful effect of each substance. This form of medicine was professed
and practiced by Siddhars who wrote their recipes on palm-leaves for the future generations.
◦ Siddha medicine was developed by outstanding Dravidians (ancient Tamils), locally called cittars.
Preparation are made mainly out of the parts of the plants and tress such as leaves, bark, stem, root, etc..
But include also mineral and some animal substances .
Naturopathy
◦ Naturopathy is a system of man building in harmony with the constructive principles of nature on
physical, mental, moral and spiritual planes of living.
◦ According to the manifesto of British naturopathic association, “naturopathy is a system of treatment
which recognizes the existence of the vital curative force within the body.” it therefore, advocates
aiding human system to remove the cause of disease, i.e. toxins by expelling the unwanted and unused
matters from human body for curing diseases.
Biologically based treatments
1 Herbal medicine
◦Here drugs are of pant derived.
◦These are kind of well known drugs
2. Nutritional therapy
◦It is believed that the system of healing based on the
belief food , as nature intended , provides the medicine
we need to obtain and maintain a state of health.
Mind body interventions
◦ Mind-body medicine uses the power of thoughts and emotions to influence physical health.
◦ As Hippocrates once wrote , “the natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in
getting well.” this is mind-body medicine in a nutshell. Methods by which an individual can,
independently or with assistance, consciously control some functions of the sympathetic nervous system
(eg-heart rate, respiration rate, blood pressure).
Leading mind-body techniques are:-
◦Meditation
◦Relaxation
◦Biofeedback
◦Imagery
◦Hypnosis
◦Aromatherapy
◦yoga
1. Meditation
Health Benefits of meditation include:
◦ Decreased respiration
◦ Slowed heart rate
◦ Decreased blood pressure
◦ Improve mood
◦ Heightened awareness
◦ Efficient and effective oxygen consumption
◦ Spiritual calm
◦ Stress relief
◦ Reduced level of lactic acid
◦ Improve functioning of the immune system.
2. Relaxation
◦ Stands quite generally for a release of tension, a return to equilibrium. It is any
method, process, procedure, or activity that helps a person to relax; to attain a state
of increased calmness; or otherwise to reduce levels of anxiety, stress or anger.
◦ It is the therapeutic process incorporating the basic elements of meditation.
Basic elements of relaxation technique are;
◦ A quite environment
◦ A comfortable position
◦ Focused sttention
3. Biofeedback
◦ In this, people are trained to control certain bodily processes that normally occur involuntarily,
such as heart rate or blood pressure. These processes can be measured and displayed on a
monitor that the person watches.
Uses of biofeedback :
◦ A restorative method in rehabilitation settings for clients who have lost sensation and function
as a result of injury or illness.
◦ To relieve tension headaches, migraines and backache
◦ To lower blood pressure.
4. 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. The
images can involve any of the senses and may be self directed or
guided by a practitioner, sometimes in a group setting. For example,
a person with cancer might be told to imagine an army of white blood
cells fighting against the cancer cells. Guided imagery has not been
thoroughly scientifically studied, but many people claim to have had
success with it.
5. Hypnotherapy
◦This alternative therapy is derived from Western
practice. In hypnotherapy (hypnosis), people are
guided into an advanced state of relaxation and
heightened attention. Hypnotized people become
absorbed in the images suggested by the
hypnotherapist and are able to suspend disbelief.
◦Because their attention is more focused and they are more open to
suggestion, hypnotherapy can be used to help people change their behavior
and thus improve their health. Hypnotherapy can be used to treat or help treat
purely psychological symptoms Hypnotherapy also may be helpful intreating
many conditions and symptoms in which psychological factors can influence
physical symptoms:
◦Phobias
◦Certain pain syndromes
◦Smoking cessation
◦Conversion disorders (in which apparent physical illness actually is caused
mainly by psychological stress and conflict)
◦Irritable bowel syndrome
◦ Headaches
◦Asthma
◦Some skin disorders (such as warts and I psoriasis)
◦High blood pressure
◦ Nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy ,particularly the nausea some
people get before chemotherapy (anticipatory nausea)
◦Anxiety and diminished quality of life in people who have cancer.
Hypnotherapy has been used with some success to help people stop smoking and
lose weight. Some people are able to learn to hypnotize themselves, The
mechanism of hypnotherapy is poorly understood from a scientific standpoint.
Manipulative and body based methods
◦YOGA
◦The fundamental idea behind the practice of yoga is to unite the individual self with
the supreme or pure consciousness.
◦The factual connotation of yoga is unification
 Chiropractice
◦In the Chiropractice , the relationship between the structure of the spine and function of
the nervous system is thought to be key in maintaining or restoring health.
◦The main method for achieving balance is spinal manipulation
Tai Chi And Qigong
◦It has recently been considered as an alternative method
for lowering the blood pressure levels.
Energy therapies

◦Massage therapy
Body tissues are manipulated to promote wellness and reduce
pain and stress.
The therapeutic value of massage for many musculoskeletal
symptoms and stress is widely accepted.
◦Acupuncture
◦ It is an alternative medicine that treats patients by insertion and manipulation of needles in the body. Its proponents
variously claim that it relieves pain, treats infertility, treats disease, prevents dises, promotes general health, or can be
used for therapeutic purposes.
• Reflexology
◦Promotes health by relieving pressure and accumulation of toxins in the
corresponding body part.
• Hand mediated bio-field therapies
◦Therapeutic touch (TT) is a mostly secular variant of faith healing, started by
Dolores Kneger in the early 1970s.
◦The TT practitioner moves his hands over the patient’s body, specifically the
affected area, without actually touching the patient.
◦TT adherents claim that this directs the flow of chi so that the patient can heal.
Other therapies
1. Humor : It determines the clients perception of what is humorous. It can relieve anxiety,
improve respiratory function, promote relaxation, enhance immunological function, and
decrease pain by stimulation endorphin production.
2. Pet therapy: it has many applications including overcoming
physical limitations, improving mood, lowering blood pressure
and improving pressure, and improving socialization skills and
self-esteem.
3. Music therapy: pleasurable sound and music can reduce stress,
perception of pain, anxiety, and feelings of isolation .
4. Hydrotherapy : it involves the use of water for pain-relief and treating
illness. It continues to be widely used for burn treatment, although shower
based hydrotherapy techniques have been increasingly used in preference to
full immersion methods, partly for the ease of cleaning the equipment and
reducing infections due to contamination.
Thank you