Complementary and Alternative Medicine), National Institutes of Health and by published on alternative medicine (listed below) …
hcspFACTsheet
a series of fact sheets written by experts in the field of liver disease
Hepatitis C Support Project wwwhcvadvocateorg
Acupuncture
This healing practice is from China and has been used for centuries It is based on the belief that energy flows through the body and that disease occurs if energy is blocked or out of balance Slender needles are inserted into anatomical points in order to stimulate energy Acupuncture is one of many tools used by practitioners of Traditional Chinese and Oriental Medicine Practitioners should use sterile, single-use needles Many insurance companies cover treatment
CAM: Complementary
and Alternative Medicine
Lucinda Porter, RN
Ayurveda
An ancient system from India that focuses on healthy living Based on the belief that humans consist of three life forces, health problems arise when these forces are out of balance Ayurveda uses diet, herbs, yoga, meditation, and self-knowledge to prevent and treat disease
The NaTioNal CeNTer for
ComplemeNTary and Alternative Medicine NCCAM defines CAM as a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine Medicinenetcom defines conventional medicine as Medicine as practiced by holders of MD medical doctor or DO doctor of osteopathy degrees and by their allied health professionals, such as physical therapists, psychologists, and registered nurses Some other terms for conventional medicine are Western medicine, mainstream medicine, modern medicine, and allopathic medicine Allopathic medicine focuses on treatment of diseases Complementary Medicine is used with conventional medicine Alternative medicine is used instead of conventional medicine Many forms of medicine have rich traditions and have been practiced for centuries Aspects of other traditions are being integrated into conventional medicine making it harder to draw clear lines between what is conventional and what is not Health
insurance companies are seeing the value in some types of CAM Reimbursement for chiropractics and acupuncture is common If you pursue CAM options, be informed and proceed safely Ask your medical provider and/ or other acquaintances to recommend well-regarded CAM experts Never take herbs or other supplements without first discussing this with your primary medical provider Tell your CAM practitioner if you have hepatitis C or any other serious or potentially infectious diseases
HCSP VERSION 11 August 2007
Body Work and Massage
There are many types of massage Some examples are: acupressure Applies pressure to the same anatomical points used in acupuncture aromatherapy massage Combines various scents with massage, usually with scented oils foot reflexology Applies pressure to points on the feet that correspond to parts of the body Shiatsu A Japanese technique that literally means pressure with fingers Shiatsu is based on similar foundations used in acupuncture and acupressure
Watsu A technique performed in water that uses shiatsu, acupressure, and gentle movement
Chiropractics
This uses a whole body approach emphasizing body structure and spinal alignment Problems occur when the spine is misaligned Chiropractors manipulate the body and use other interventions to correct problems Many insurance plans include chiropractic coverage
Curanderos, Shamans, and Folk Medicine
Many ethnic groups have their own traditional healing arts These are sometimes called shamans or medicine men and women Curanderos, Spanish for healers, are common in Mexico, parts of Central America and the United States Curanderos have been practicing for hundreds of years Curanderos use many techniques, such as massage, plants and prayer There are indigenous folk healers all over the world, some of whom have immigrated to the US and have brought their traditions with them
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Herbal Medicine
This practice uses herbs and other botanicals for the treatment and prevention of various
medical problems Not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, these substances are classified as dietary supplements Herbal medicine is also used to help with the side effects of chemotherapy and other medical treatments
and other practitioners Humans are seen as having complex fields of energy which can disturb health if balance is disrupted Light or no touch is used to sense energy imbalances and to restore harmony
Traditional Chinese Medicine TCM
Homeopathy
Homeopathy is based on the laws of similars and let likes cure likes The belief is that balance is restored when minute amounts of substances are orally ingested Higher doses of the same substance would cause rather than cure those symptoms This system has been used for at least 200 years
Naturopathic Medicine
Simply stated, TCM views the body as having qi pronounced chee, which is energy flowing throughout the body Health problems develop when qi is blocked and disharmony occurs Practitioners use many tools to
restore energy flow Examples of treatment include acupuncture, massage, and herbs Tai Qi or Tai Chi and Qigong are two of the many physical practices that are offered in TCM These Asian arts combine meditation and movement with the goal of restoring balance Chinese medicine has gathered strong support in this country
While placing a strong emphasis on prevention, naturopaths are trained to use many types of therapies Naturopaths use a multidisciplinary approach from many of the healing arts Treatment can include medicinal herbs, homeopathy, acupuncture, massage, and dietary supplements, to name a few
Yoga
There are over a hundred different types of yoga In this country, Hatha yoga is one of the most familiar types It uses physical movements, postures, and breathing to restore and maintain physical, mental, and spiritual health For more information see the following HCSP Factsheets: Hepatitis C and CAM: Information and Finding a Practitioner Hepatitis C and CAM: Complementary and
Alternative Medicine Resources
Osteopathic Medicine
Osteopaths are medical doctors who have completed medical school, a residency, and licensing exams They have the initials DO after their name rather than MD In most parts of the world, they can practice surgery, deliver babies, and prescribe medications Although the practice encompasses the whole person, osteopathic doctors believe that diseases can be treated by focusing on dysfunctions in the musculoskeletal system Osteopaths are specially trained in techniques for manipulating the body to restore health This treatment is covered by most insurance plans
For more information about hepatitis C, hepatitis B and HCV coinfections, please visit wwwhcvadvocateorg
Prayer and Faith Healing
A publication of the Hepatitis C Support Project Executive Director The information in this fact sheet is Editor-in-Chief, HCSP Publications designed to help you understand and Alan Franciscus manage HCV and is not intended as medical advice All
persons with HCV Design should consult a medical practitioner for Paula Fener diagnosis and treatment of HCV Production CD Mazoff, PhD This information is provided by the Hepatitis C Support Project a nonprofit Contact information: organization for HCV education, support Hepatitis C Support Project and advocacy 2007 Hepatitis C PO Box 427037 Support Project Reprint permission is San Francisco, CA 94142-7037 granted and encouraged with credit to alanfranciscus@hcvadvocateorg the Hepatitis C Support Project
hcspFACTsheet
This practice uses prayer and spiritual rituals in order to restore health and well-being Many religions have a rich tradition of the use of prayer for healing
Reiki
This Asian art focuses on healing a patients physical maladies by focusing on spiritual healing In this practice, the Reiki practitioner channels universal life energy to the patient No pressure is applied to the body and sometimes there is no physical contact
Therapeutic Touch TT
This is a modern
approach using an old concept TT was developed by a nurse and has attracted the attention of other nurses
HCSP VERSION 11 August 2007 2
Source:ama-assn.org
