Nursing Practices of Alternative Medicine

Nursing Practices of Alternative MedicineMental Health Integrative CargonLauren pass Katie PalmerIntegrative care encompasses the nursing practices of secondary medicine. This includes acupuncture, aromatherapy, guided imagery, and many more types of therapies. These therapies are usually centered on the case-by-case persevering, and holistically address their variety of essentials, including physical, affable, and spiritual foci (Halter, 2014, p 637). We will address nonconventional treatments and explore the different approaches, safety, and nursing care associated with endogenic care practices.It is only recently that the United States western sandwich views of medicine catch expanded to include complementary medicine. Western medicine is based on a more scientific approach with highly controlled experiments and research. complemental medicine comes from mostly non-western sources and is based on nature and its interplay with energy (Halter, 2014, p 638). at that place was two billion dollars awarded to complementary research in 2011 and the studies results showed that we could neither confirm nor disprove complementary medicines worth as a healing tool. There are many who do imagine that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) helps them. accord to halter, 38% of adults and 12% of children use some type of CAM therapy (Halter, 2014, p 639). It is more widely used among women and mostly used for musculoskeletal problems. We have yet to debunk the full effectuate and responses to CAM, which is still a complicated and controversial matter for the healthcare field.Some of the reasons patients are so attracted to CAM is that it allows them to take action in their accept care. CAM to a fault has lower risks than many therapeutic approaches and drug regimens. It is less expensive and provides an alternative to conventional medicine when they are out of options or may have previously had negative experiences with western medicine.As nurses, we squeeze out be informed close to CAM and help con vegetable marrowers to make smart decisions to complement or give alternatives to second therapeutic approaches. Our biggest concerns are safety. CAM is still unregulated and not guaranteed to work. Many consumers believe what they read on the Internet even though it may not be accurate information. Just because a supplement is natural or organic doesnt mean that it is harmless. These natural supplements need to assessed and monitored just like a medication. We also face patients that put off treatment and self treat with alternative therapies that may or may not help their conditions, especially in cases of mental health issues (Halter, 2014, p 640).As costs rise for conventional medicine in the United States, more and more consumers are moving toward alternative therapies. except some of the alternative therapies are covered by insurance, and this is going to depend on what type of insurance the patient has, or if they have in surance at all. There is a large claim that CAMs proposed effects are only due to the placebo effect (Halter, 2014, p 640). This is when a type of therapy works for an individual to some degree when the therapy is actually nothing a placebo. Many believe this is due to the optimism and positive approach to CAM that behind often occur.The American Nurses Association (ANA) recognizes integrative care in the profession of holistic nursing. This is an approach that involves the person as a whole, and their bio ethnic influences. It allows the nurse to view the patient as more than a sum of their parts and all the dimensions that can affect that individuals well being (Halter, 2014, p 642).Nutrition is a very big part of a persons well being, and has been widely researched. Many people with illnesses can benefit from forage and nutrition changes research shows that a diabetic patient benefits from a diabetic diet and lower glycemic index foods. Alternative therapies involving nutritio n take this same approach to aid in treatment for a variety of disorders. For example, many people believe gluten free diets help children diagnosed with autism, but there has been no concrete evidence to support that claim. There are a lot of diet therapies associated with depression and some separate psychiatric disorders. Vitamins, supplements, and herbs are some examples of potential alternative therapies one might chose. Many of these can interact with medications and should be initially assessed in every patient. The patient may not recognize that they need to tell the healthcare provider or nurse that they are taking these alternative supplements and need to be asked specifically.There are many special K types of integrative therapy that are common to society today. Herbal therapy includes the uses of herbs like St. Johns wort, which is used for pain and mood stabilization. Ginkgo biloba is another common herb that is used for memory. Many of these have side effects and in teractions just like any other medication and should be treated as such. supposition is a mind and body therapy that involves focusing and deep breathing, which is used to help calm the person. Acupuncture uses needles at pressure points to relieve pain and many other disorders (Halter, 2014, p 644).Aromatherapy is a popular therapy using essential oils on the skin or with a diffuser to target senses that results in a variety of effects such as calming, sleep, energizing and so on. Energy therapies such a Reiki are an expanding alternative therapy that nurses can take classes in. This requires energy manipulation and therapeutic spotlight as a means to heal and bring wellness to a person depending on their chief complaints.There are many different patients that can benefit from these therapies. Dominantly, psychiatric patients seem to use alternative therapies more than those of any other disorder or illness (Halter, 2014, p 644-645). Depression and anxiety are the main focus. Whe n caring for these patients we would want to make sure we assess the patient for use of alternative therapies, this includes supplements, herbs, and other preferred methods of therapy. This may include doing a ethnical assessment of our patient, who may prefer or already be performing alternative therapies based on their beliefs of medicine and health.Diagnosis for this patient might inhabit of cultural implications like the balance and harmony of nature with the body. In planning and implementing our patients care we will want to be sensitive to their preferences of therapy and their cultural values. This could entail a patient with different religious values, like a Jehovah witness who does not accept blood products. When western interventions are not accepted due to religious values, alternative therapies could ne used when planning their care. Alternative therapy may also not be the only therapy being implemented. It can complement medication regimens or other types of western- based therapies, such as the patient undergoing cancer treatment and also taking part in meditation and yoga.Nurses need to assess patients for interactions and different side effects when a patient is using integrative therapies. Not only do nurses need to assess the medication effects but they also need to evaluate for patient outcomes. Is the alternative therapy helping the patient? How does the patient perceive the therapy? Is this therapy safe? These are important aspects to think about when undergoing the nursing process with alternative therapy practices.Overall, alternative therapies are becoming more widely popular due to rising costs and limits of western medicine. Alternative therapy has drive a common aspect of the nursing assessment and may coincide with cultural or religious views. Psychiatric patients tend to most use alternative therapies and should be considered along with their care (Halter, 2014, p 647). By being aware, informed, and knowledgeable of integrative care nurses can best serve patients holistically and maximize their safety and wellness.ReferencesHalter, M. J. (2014) Varcarolis, Foundations of psychiatric mental health nursing A clinicalapproach, 7th ed. St. Louis Saunders Elsevier.