(Also see Appendix E for specific conditions in which CAM can be integrated into the treatment plan.)

1. DEFINITIONS:
1. Complementary therapy—used to supplement or augment conventional therapy (e.g., use of guided imagery, music and relaxation techniques for pain control in combination with drug therapy).
2. Alternative therapy—generally used instead of conventional treatment (e.g., use of acupuncture instead of analgesic).
2. BASIC BELIEFS AND ASSUMPTIONS about health, health care:
1. Diseases are complex, multifaceted states of imbalance and require an approach that uses several strategies for facilitating healing.
2. Individuals can facilitate their own healing process by engaging their inner resources and becoming active participants in promoting their health.
3. Holistic nursing can be a major provider of CAM, with an underlying philosophy of caring and healing.
1. Use of an approach to the care of others that facilitates the integration, harmony, and balance of body, mind, and spirit.
2. Focus is on the whole person in the process of healing.
3. Experience of illness is an opportunity for growth that invites reflection on important dimensions of their lives and to make changes that encourage a more balanced and integrated state of being. Emphasis on: self-responsibility and self-care.
4. Client-nurse relationship is reciprocal where each benefits from the interaction and grows in self-awareness.
3. AREAS OF PRACTICE WITHIN CAM:
1. Mind-body interventions.
2. Bioelectromagnetic applications in medicine.
3. Manual healing methods.
4. Pharmacological and biological treatments.
5. Herbal medicine (see Chapter 8. Physiological Integrityand Chapter 9. Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort—Nutrition and Appendix E).
6. Diet and nutrition in the prevention and treatment of chronic disease.
4. EXAMPLES OF WELL-KNOWN ALTERNATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES:
1. Natural healing:
1. Aquatherapy.
2. Aromatherapy.
3. Color therapy.
4. Homeopathy.
2. Plant therapy:
1. Flower essence therapy.
2. Herbal medicine.
3. Nutrition and diet:
1. Diet therapies (see Chapter 9. Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort—Nutrition).
2. Naturopathic medicine.
4. Mobility and posture:
1. Dance therapy.
2. Rolfing.
3. Yoga.
5. The mind:
1. Meditation.
2. Music therapy.
3. Visualization, guided imagery.
4. Humor therapy.
5. Pet therapy.
6. Massage and touch:
1. Massage therapy.
2. Reflexology.
3. Energy field therapies, including therapeutic touch.
7. Eastern therapies:
1. Acupuncture.
2. Acupressure.
3. Shiatsu.
4. Chinese herbal medicine.
5. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING:
1. Familiarize yourself with one or two basic therapies (e.g., massage, music, or guided imagery).
2. Try to eliminate own preconceived ideas.
3. Get adequate instruction before using any CAM with clients.
4. Ask clients if they use any CAM and their response to them.
5. Health teaching: Nurses can discuss and do teaching based on scientific research about effectiveness of each therapy when clients seek information about alternative and complementary therapies (because they are noninvasive, holistic [encompass mind and spirit], and less expensive) (see Appendix E). For example:
1. Physical tension and anxiety—can be decreased with meditation combined with guided imagery.
2. Effect of coronary heart disease—can be reversed with carefully planned nutrition, exercise, and meditation (Dr. Dean Ornish's plan).
3. Coordination—can be improved with yoga.
4. Blood pressure and stress—can be lowered and reduced with massage.
5. Apical heart rate—can be reduced; peripheral blood flow—can be increased with music.
6. Pain in arthritic joints and back—can be relieved by localized healing touch techniques.
7. Headache pain and breaking up congestion—can be aided by healing touch.
8. Prepare client for pre- and postoperative energy and recovery—can be aided by relaxation and energy-balancing methods.