Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2026
03:59
Therapeutic Massage for Psychological Well-being in Geriatric Oncology
Published on: May 22, 2026
Complementary and alternative therapies: the nurse's role.
1Morristown Memorial Hospital, NJ, USA. susan.fowler@ahsys.org
Summary
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) offers holistic strategies to improve health and quality of life. Understanding CAM, including costs and interactions, is crucial for nurses to support patients with neurological conditions.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Holistic Health
- Patient Care
Background:
- Healthy People 2010 aims to enhance quality and longevity of healthy life.
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) presents diverse strategies to achieve these health objectives.
- CAM modalities include acupuncture, yoga, massage, chiropractic, and energy-focused therapies.
Observation:
- The literature indicates CAM use in neurological conditions like dementia, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy.
- Nurses are positioned to offer services promoting patient wholeness.
- Patient knowledge, costs, and potential drug interactions are key considerations for CAM integration.
Findings:
- CAM therapies can support the goal of increasing quality and years of healthy life.
- Many CAM practices are rooted in concepts of energy and holistic well-being.
- Understanding the full scope of CAM is vital for effective patient guidance.
Implications:
- Nurses require comprehensive knowledge of CAM to effectively guide patients toward holistic health strategies.
- Integrating CAM can enhance patient care, particularly for those with chronic neurological diseases.
- Promoting informed CAM use can contribute to improved patient outcomes and overall quality of life.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Techniques of therapeutic communication I: Active Listening, Sharing Observations, Validation, and Using Touch
The history of therapeutic communication can be traced back to Florence Nightingale, who emphasized the importance of developing trusting relationships with patients. She taught that the presence of nurses with patients results in therapeutic healing.
Therapeutic communication is not the same as social interaction. Social interaction has no goal or purpose and consists of casual information sharing, whereas therapeutic communication has a plan or purpose for the conversation. Therapeutic...
Therapeutic communication is not the same as social interaction. Social interaction has no goal or purpose and consists of casual information sharing, whereas therapeutic communication has a plan or purpose for the conversation. Therapeutic...
01:27Ethical Issues
Nurses are essential in patient care, upholding the ethical principles of their profession and effectively navigating ethical dilemmas. Neglecting ethical issues can lead to inadequate patient care, compromised therapeutic relationships, and moral distress among healthcare workers.
Ethical Concerns in Healthcare:
Ethical Concerns in Healthcare:
01:23Techniques of Therapeutic Communication II: Focusing, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing
Focusing involves centering a conversation on a message's critical elements or concepts. Focusing is valuable if the talk is vague or patients begin to repeat themselves. Sometimes, when patients are asked about their symptoms, they may go off-topic and try to tell their entire life story. Respectfully, the nurse should bring the conversation back into focus.
This therapeutic technique can also be used when a patient brings up pertinent information during a health-related conversation. The...
This therapeutic technique can also be used when a patient brings up pertinent information during a health-related conversation. The...
01:21Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-I
An interdisciplinary team includes many healthcare professionals working together and utilizing their skills, knowledge, and expertise to provide holistic and quality patient care.
Physicians
The physician's primary responsibility is to diagnose illness and direct the medical or surgical treatment of the condition. The authority to admit patients to a healthcare agency or institution and practice care within that setting is granted to physicians by the healthcare agency or institution itself.
Physicians
The physician's primary responsibility is to diagnose illness and direct the medical or surgical treatment of the condition. The authority to admit patients to a healthcare agency or institution and practice care within that setting is granted to physicians by the healthcare agency or institution itself.
01:23Nurses' Legal Responsibilities II
Establishing a secure, collaborative nurse-patient relationship is crucial for delivering high-quality care. This relationship, founded on trust, respect, and honesty, enhances the patient's comfort and willingness to share vital health information. For example, a nurse who listens actively and without judgment provides clear information about health conditions and treatment options and respects patient decisions, which builds a trusting relationship.
Communication between nurses and patients...
Communication between nurses and patients...
01:18Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-II
An interdisciplinary team includes many healthcare professionals working together and utilizing their skills, knowledge, and expertise to provide holistic and quality patient care. Here are a few more healthcare professionals.
Physical Therapist
A physical therapist (PT) aims to restore function or prevent additional impairment in a patient following an injury or disease. Massage, heat, cold, water, sonar waves, exercises, and electrical stimulation are some treatments used by PTs to treat...
Physical Therapist
A physical therapist (PT) aims to restore function or prevent additional impairment in a patient following an injury or disease. Massage, heat, cold, water, sonar waves, exercises, and electrical stimulation are some treatments used by PTs to treat...