Lobert 1

PTP 546Complementary & Alternative

Medicine

Jayne Hansche Lobert, MS, RN, ACNS-BC, NP

Lobert 2

Complementary and Alternative Medicines

• Complementary and Alternative Therapies– NIH: National Center for Complementary & Alternative

Medicines www.nih.nccam.gov– Categories of CAM

• Mind-body medicine– Relaxation therapy, meditation, prayer, imagery, art therapy, music

therapy, dance, imagery• Biologically based practices

– Biofeedback, herbals, dietary supplementations, nutritional therapy, aromatherapy

• Manipulative and body-based practices– Massage, chiropractic therapy, yoga

• Energy Therapies– Therapeutic touch, healing touch, reiki,

Lobert 3

Complementary and Alternative Medicines

• NCCAM– Whole Medicine Systems• Traditional Chinese Medicine

– Balancing of vital energy (Qi); uses acupuncture

• Homeopathy– Based on like cures like; remedies work through energy

transfer

• Naturopathy– Promotion of health through nutrition, herbology,

homeopathy, physical therapies and counseling

Lobert 4

Complementary and Alternative Medicines

• Complementary & Alternative Therapies– Scope: NIH Study

• 38% of adults used CAM within the past 12 months• Most commonly used therapies: herbs, supplements, and

deep breathing exercises• Most frequently used natural product : fish oil/omega 3• Greatest use of CAM is noted in Native American Indians,

Alaska Natives and Caucasians• 25% of patient who utilized alternative therapies did so

based upon the recommendation of a health care provider

– Challenges

Lobert 5

Complementary and Alternative Medicines

• Complementary and Alternative Medicines– Glucosamine & Chondroitin

• Osteoarthritis

– Echinacea• Immune stimulant for uri and colds• Cold symptom reduction if taken immediately

– Garlic• Reduction of lipid profile• Avoid if taking anti platelet agents

– Ginger• Antiemetic, anti-inflammatory; antioxidant

Lobert 6

Complementary and Alternative Medicines

• Complementary and Alternative Medicines– Ginkgo

• Improve memory and cognition• Increased risk of hemorrhage

– Ginseng• Increase well being, reduce fatigue• Reduces effect of Warfarin

– Kava• Sedative hypnotic with antianxiety properties• Liver toxicity

– Melatonin• Sedative hypnotic, regulates sleep wake cycles

– Saw Palmetto• Benign prostatic hypertrophy by reduction of prostate swelling

– St. John’s Wort• Antidepressant• Accelerates metabolism interactions with warfarin, cyclosporine, etc.

Lobert 7

Complementary and Alternative Medicines

• Vitamins– A: normal vision– B: metabolism; red cell production– C: antioxidant– D: maintains serum calcium– E: antioxidant– K: blood clotting

Lobert 8

Complementary and Alternative Medicines

• Minerals– Calcium: bone & teeth formation, blood clotting,

muscle contraction– Chloride: maintains fluid and electrolytes– Magnesium: muscle contraction, enzyme cofactor– Phosphate: energy storage; maintains acid base– Potassium: muscle contractions, nerve conduction– Sodium: fluid balance; muscle and nerve

conduction

Lobert 9

Complementary and Alternative Medicines

• Minerals/Trace Elements– Chromium: maintains normal blood glucose– Iodine: component of thyroid hormones– Iron: component of hemoglobin– Manganese: bone formation, metabolism– Selenium: defense against oxidative stress– Zinc: component of enzymes and proteins