Complementary/ Alternative Treatments (CAM)
Name
Institution
Complementary/ Alternative Treatments (CAM)
Recommendation Report of Comparison between Homeopathy & Acupuncture
1.Introduction
The review of the hospital’s budget to consider the possibility of the provision of complementary and Alternative treatments (CAM) is a huge win for the hospital’s clients. The combination of standard medicine with approved CAM practices is referred to as Integrative Medicine which treats a patient’s body, spirit & mind. Some of these therapies have been subjected to strict evaluation and have been reported to be effective and safe while others have been deemed ineffective and could be harmful — the therapies that are proven to be efficient get adopted into the mainstream. Approximately forty percent of adults in the US claim to use a type of CAM. The study below compares homeopathy & acupuncture and gives recommendations about which of these treatments, if any, should be introduced in my healthcare facility. Acupuncture is the stimulation of unique points on the body using fine needles while Homeopathy is a medical system based on the perception that the human body is capable of curing itself (Cucherat, Haugh, Gooch & Boissel 2000).
2.Assessment of effectiveness and risk
2.1 Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine which uses fine needles to stimulate unique points on our bodies. These points are not scattered arbitrarily instead they follow an unchanging & predictable pattern. The objective is to facilitate the body’s natural healing process. The therapy originated from the Far East approximately two thousand years ago. Acupuncture has made its way into North American & European medicine. The treatment is becoming increasingly popular today. Acupuncture is based on the virtues of traditional Chinese medicine which presume that the workings of the human body are governed by crucial energy, “Qi”; that circulates through the organs through meridians. There are twelve major meridians which correspond to twelve main organs of the body. It is vital to note that despite sharing names (e.g., heart, liver & kidney), the Chinese and Western notions of the organs are quite different. The Qi energy ought to flow in the appropriate quality & strength through each meridian for health to be upheld. Acupuncture points are situated along these meridians, and they present a way of changing the Qi flow. Acupuncture is regularly used to treat pain. Research shows that the penetration of the needle through the human skin for whatever purpose has a psychological impact. The practice may differ from one institution to another, but the traditional theory is based on the Daoist notion of yin & yang. Ailments are viewed as deficiencies or excesses in a variety of endogenous & exogenous pathogenic factors, and the treatment aims to restore balance (Kaptchuk 1983). The acupuncture points correspond with to anatomical & psychological features like peripheral nerve junctions, and diagnosis is done in conventional terms. A vital notion by the acupuncturists is the “trigger point” which is a section of accelerated sensitivity within a muscle. It is presumed to create a characteristic pattern of an absolute pain in a related part of the human body, e.g. tender areas in neck muscles associated with specific models of a headache. Four to six needles are inserted and left in place for between fifteen to twenty minutes — the depth which the needles are inserted ranges based on the position on the human body.
Acupuncture can work well with western medicine as the two can work hand in hand to enhance each other. China is a perfect example of successful integrative treatment. Zita West 1997, states that acupuncture is complementary to the Western practice of delivering babies. The risks associated with acupuncture are still being debated. Infections were observed to be a complication of acupuncture treatment due to the use of unsterile techniques. Tissue/Internal Organ injuries were also another risk associated with acupuncture treatment. Other risks include bleeding, tingling in right arm &hands, compartment syndrome, etc.
2.2 Homeopathy
Treatment of ailments by homeopaths is done by the use of low dose preparations which are administered based on the principle “like ought to be cured with like.” There lacks any scientific evidence for the effectiveness of homeopathy. Multiple scholars have proposed that the clinical impacts of homeopathic medication are solely due to the placebo effect. Consultations of chronic ailments include a very detailed case history. Close attention is paid to “modalities” of symptom presentation (i.e., if they change based on time, weather, season, etc.). The purpose of the historic gathering is to construct a “Symptom Picture “of the individual. The symptom picture is matched with a “Drug Picture.” As a consequence, either one or multiple homeopathic medicines are prescribed, and they are mostly in pill form. The dosage also depends on the diagnosis results. Between two to six weeks after the beginning of the treatment, the progress is assessed and alterations could be made for remedy. One’s initial symptom picture often fits more than one homeopathic remedy thus a follow up enables the homeopath to make the judgment on whether a particular treatment was appropriate for the patient (Vickers A. & Zollman C. 1999).
If the patient is responding properly to the medication, the practitioner could discontinue the treatment and observe the progress. In cases where symptoms recur, the procedure could be repeated at a similar or higher potency. If the symptoms picture has transformed at the time of the follow-up, a new homeopathic prescription could be issued regardless of the static nature of the conventional diagnosis. Majority of the homeopaths advocate for alterations in lifestyle & diet, and others go to the extremes of advising against vaccination.
Severe unexpected impacts of homeopathic medicines are scarce. People have however described “Aggravation reactions” after commencing Homoeopathic treatment which could raise concerns especially if both parties aren’t forewarned. A potentially significant problem is the notion by certain practitioners that conventional medicine minimizes the efficacy of homeopathy as patients who abandon conventional medicine while on homeopathy face serious consequences. The method of treatment offers various alternatives to vaccination and because they haven’t been subjected to clinical trials means that they cannot be recommended (Zita, 1997).
4.Discussion of Public Demand and Freedom of Choice
Approximately forty percent of the US adult population claim to use a form of CAM. Despite the rise in demand for acupuncture & homeopathy in the US, little is known concerning the impacts of these treatments in routine care. The popularity of these CAM practices grows daily with the majority of the population opting for integrative medicine. As a consequence, there is an increasing need for the healthcare facilities in America to m