Complementary and Traditional Interventions
The use of the complementary modalities in the treatment of different diseases has become a common phenomenon in medicine. For instance, complementary modalities are commonly used in the treatment of depression, back pain and anxiety. Besides complementary modalities, traditional interventions have also proven to be effective in the treatment of diseases for a longer period since the ancient times. Despite the fact that health practitioners integrate traditional interventions and conventional modalities when providing care so as to enhance the outcome of the patient, it is imperative for the health practitioner to be careful while choosing either of the interventions so as to avoid risks (Borsey & Keegan, 2013).
Complimentary modalities are health interventions at hat are aimed at healing. Eliopoulos (2010) argues that complementary modalities use the mind-body techniques in enhancing the communication between the body and the mind. When the mind, the body and the spirit are in harmony, the patient stays healthy. The most common complementary interventions include acupressure, the use of humor, prayer and guided imagery. Other health practitioners use techniques like massage, meditation and therapeutic touch in the treatment of the patients.
The nursing profession is governed by a set of nursing principles that provides suggestions on how nurses are supposed to interpret and think about the care practice (Jackson,2012).According to Fouladbakhsh (2012), nursing theories and concepts are more compatible with the complimentary modalities which make it easier for a nurse to take certain medical interventions as compared to the traditional intervention that is not supported by most of the nursing theories.
On the other hand, traditional interventions comprise of the total of practices and skills based on the beliefs, theories and experiences that are indigenous to different societies. Traditional medical interventions used in ancient societies in the diagnosis, prevention and the treatment of both the mental and physical disorders. Some of the traditional interventions include Unani, Ayurveda and Indigenous Chinese medicine.
Despite the fact that both traditional and complementary modalities focus on the improvement of the patients health through the use of techniques that are geared towards the achievement of a set medical outcome the two medical interventions employs the use of knowledge and techniques that are not taught in medical schools. This is because most of the practices are transferred from one generation to another through informal training and apprenticeship.
A study by Jackson (2012) noted that traditional intervention is the simplest and quickest medical intervention compared to the complimentary modalities. This is because the medical intervention can easily be administered by the immediate family members in the treatment of the diseases as compared to the Complimentary modalities which may require the use specialized interventionists who may not be living in the community. Besides, traditional interventions employ a technique whereby the patient is provided with the choices of whether to take the treatment or not. In complementary modalities, the health practitioner dictates a medical intervention that will heal the patient.
Complimentary modalities are always client centered since the patient is involved in the treatment as compared to traditional interventions where the nurse dictates the medication process. Also, complimentary modalities entail the use of nursing theories that makes the care process to be professional. However, Borsey and Keegan (2013) reiterate that complimentary modalities and the traditional interventions are similar since both medical interventions highly regard the connection between the body soul and the mind.
Complimentary modalities have a lot of benefits. For instance, a study by Jackson (2012) indicated that complementary modalities like PEMF are effective in the treatment of different medical conditions like a migraine. Also, therapeutic touch is a complimentary modality that is used in enhancing the balance of essential energy fields in the body a fact that makes it effective in the treatment of an acute headache. Proponents of therapeutic touch as a complimentary modality argues that the medical technique requires the therapist to pass his hands over the body of the patient without necessarily touching it so as to determine the correct balance of the energy.Fouladbakhsh (2012) further highlights that therapeutic touch is effective in the treatment of tension-type of a headache in a span of two hours after the administration of a single treatment.
Research by Borsey and Keegan (2013) revealed that massage therapies are more superior in the alleviation of among patients who are experiencing migraine. Also, complimentary modalities are significant in the treatment of the back pain.Furthermore, Aliopoulos (2010) the study highlighted that individuals who use complementary modalities in the treatment of the back pain reported better health status than those people who used other medical interventions.
Although complementary modalities have immense benefits to the patient, there are some medical risks that are associated with the use of complementary modalities. For instance, not all people can use complimentary modalities together with other medical interventions concurrently. Also, some people are not aware of the risks of using some of the complimentary modalities techniques a fact that makes it difficult for them to make informed choices. For example, the use of acupuncture in the treatment of the breast cancer and other related diseases has tremendous effects on the patient’s body. Acupuncture, for example, can result to lymph edema when the therapist inserts the need where a lymph node has been removed.
Also, the use of acupuncture as a complementary modality in the treatment of cancer has a high risk of causing infections compared to the use of other medical interventions.Borsey and Keegan (2013) argues that most of the infections occur when the acupuncturist fails to sterilize the surgical equipment or when the needs are not disposed of correctly after the use. Besides, the patients are a risk of suffering from over bleeding.
The use of chiropractic therapy in the treatment of the breast cancer has adverse effects on the patient. For example, chiropractic therapy can lead to stroke among those patients who are on blood thinners and those who have bleeding problems. Furthermore, the manipulation of the spine can cause the breaking of the bones among patients who have osteoporosis. Thus, it is imperative for the patients to seek the services of a physician before using any complementary modalities. This strategy will help in the reduction of the risks that are associated with the use of complementary modalities as a medical intervention.
Traditional medical interventions have some advantages and risks. According to Eliopoulos (2010), traditional modalities are critical to the improvement of the quality of life and the patients’ health status. Also, traditional interventions focus on the connection between the patient’s body, mind and the soul. Here, the health practitioner analyzes the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of the patient before he administers medication.
Traditional interventions have some benefits. For instance, traditional interventions have fewer risks of causing stroke among patients with the bleeding problems since the caregiver has to examine the patient before he administers treatment. Also, traditional burning intervention causes healing if directed to the specific part that that requires treatment. Traditional interventions are easily available in the community, and the prices are negotiable. Also, the payment method is flexible as compared to other medical interventions where the payments are fixed.
Despite the fact that traditional interventions are said to have fewer side effects compared to other medical interventions. For instance, some folk medicines pose a high risk to the patient especially if it is administered without proper care and supervision. This is because many people have a misconception that herbal medicines are completely safe because they are natural. However, traditional medicine uses very toxic and dangerous elements in the herbs that can cause death if not properly administered. Also, the use of endangered species like Slow Loris in the treatment of the chronic diseases can lead to the extinction of the rare plant and animal species on earth.
Traditional and holistic interventions should be combined to enhance the outcome of the patient and the effectiveness of the care. This strategy is significant in overcoming the weakness of both traditional and holistic interventions. After a critical analysis of the condition of the patient, the health practitioner can identify the holistic and traditional interventions that are fit for the condition of the patient. The use of some nursing theories that encourages the connection between the body, mind and soul are critical for one to make the right choices. Furthermore, the integration of the complementary modalities and the traditional interventions in the nursing curriculum can help in the production of well-grounded nurses who are conscious of the benefits and the dangers of using either of the interventions a fact that can help in improvement of the quality of the care.
I visited a complementary practitioner that specializes in aromatherapy. I wanted lasting solution for a chronic upper back and chest acne that I developed during adolescent. I came to discover that aromatherapy uses natural oils to enhance the physical and psychological well-being of the body. The natural oils are normally extracted from roots, flowers, leaves and stems of plants. The natural oil causes healing to the skin through the application on the affected parts. Also, the oils cause healing to the entire body after penetrating into the bloodstream through the skin. Furthermore, the smell of the natural oils acts as a stimulant of the brain. The antiseptic and the disinfectant components in the aromatherapy oils are the secrets behind the healing of the skin.
References
Borsey, B. and Keegan, L. (2013). Holistic nursing: A handbook for practice.6th Edition.Bostom: M.A. Jones and Bartlet Publishing.
Eliopoulos, C. (2010).Invitation to Holistic health: A guide to living and balanced life.3rd edition.Burlington: M.A. Jones and Bartlett Learning.
Fouladbakhsh, J. (2012). Complementary and Alternative Modalities to Relieve Osteoarthritis Symptoms. AJN, American Journal of Nursing, 112, S44-S51. doi:10.1097/01.naj.0000412651.10550.c1
Jackson, C. (2012). The Role of Healing Modalities (Complementary/Alternative Medicine) in Holistic Nursing Practice. Holistic Nursing Practice, 26(1), 3-5. doi:10.1097/hnp.0b013e31823e53bc
