Acupressure

 Acupressure is a branch of traditional Chinese medicine, which also includes

acupuncture, herbal therapy, and other modalities.
 It is an ancient healing art using the fingers and other parts of the body to skillfully press
key points, which stimulate the body’s natural self-curative abilities.
 The goal of acupressure is to balance chi, the flow of life energy that travels through out
of the body.

Terms used in acupressure

o Meridians
These are invisible channels by which chi/qi flows through body. Blockage among
meridians causes illness.
o Chi (qi/shi)
It is invisible life force that circulates through the body along meridians or channels.
Maintaining or restoring the flow of chi rectors and promotes health.

Mechanism of action

 Chi normally flows along specific pathway in the body, called meridians, which are like
roads.
 The chi travels along meridians to major organ system such as liver, lungs, heart.
When the chi flows freely along the meridians, there is health, when it is blocked or
stagnant, there is a disease.
 It is possible to alter the flow of chi by pressing points on the skin called acupoints which
are located along the body’s meridians.
 Pressing or rubbing in the acupoints not only restore the free flow of chi but also restore
health in organ controlled by that meridian.
 The pressure in acupoints is also supposed to balance kinds of energy in human body.
 The two types of energy are supposed to be balanced.
 There are 12 meridian channels in human body.
  The meridian channels are:
Yin-6
Yang-6
 There are 372 acupoints in body to balance Yin and Yang.

Indications

Acupressure is considered particularly effective for:

 Treating problems with soft tissues, muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

 Back pain
 Joint problems like arthritis.
 Gynecological problems
 Stress
 Headaches
 Insomnia
 Abdominal pain

Contraindications

Since acupressure is not an invasive technique, it is extremely safe for most conditions. There are
times, however when it should not be used:

 Pregnant women should not have acupressure unless a licensed practitioner performs it,
as pressing certain points can stimulate uterine contraction.
 Although acupressure is thought to be highly beneficial to those with cancer, it should not
be used in areas where there has been a recent injury, sore or skin ulcer, or where there is
prolapsed uterus or varicose vein.
 It should not be tried in person who has had a stroke within past 30 days, since pressing
certain points can trigger brain activity that may be harmful to people who have recently
had stroke.

Acupoints

 Hand and arms acupoints

 Leg, feet acupoints
  Chest and abdomen acupoints
 Head, scalp, and shoulder acupoints.

Finally, acupressure should never be sole treatment for any serious medical conditions. Rather it
should always be used in a supportive therapy.

Therapeutic touch:

 Therapeutic touch is a contemporary healing modality drawn from ancient practices and
developed by Dora Kunz and Dolores Krieger (1970). The practices are based on the
assumption that human beings are complex field of energy, and that assumptions that
human beings are complex field of energy, and that the ability to enhance healing in
another is a natural potential.
 It is used to balance and promote the flow of human energy. Research shows that
therapeutic touch is useful in reducing pain, improving wound healing, aiding relaxation
and easing the dying process.
 It is a type of energy medicine whereby the therapist moves his/her hands over the
patient’s ‘energy field’ allegedly directing the flow of ‘chi’ or ‘prana’ so the patient can
heal.
 It is based on the belief that each living things has a “life energy field” which extends
beyond the surface of the body and generates an aura. This energy field can become
unbalanced, misaligned, obstructed or out of tune.
 Energy healers think they can feel and manipulate this energy field by making
movements that resemble massaging the air a few inches above the surface of the
patient’s body.
 Energy healers also thinks that they can transfer some of their own energy to the patients.
These air manipulations allegedly restore the energy field to a state of balance or
harmony, to a proper alignment, or they unblock a clog in the field or transfer life energy
healer to patient.
Phases of therapeutic touch:
For this, a client must sit or lie down. The session can be broken down into 4 steps:
 Centering
 Assessment
  Unruffling
 Treatment
 Evaluation
1. Centering: It is the first phase in which the therapist becomes “centered” by using
breathing, imagery, and meditation to achieve an altered state of consciousness for
themselves.
2. Assessment: This is the 2nd phase in which the practitioner notices the quality of energy
flow and detects the accumulation of energy. For this the practitioner notice the quality of
energy flow and detects the accumulation of energy. For this the practitioner moves his
hand near about 2 to 6 inches in the body from head to toes in a rhythmic movement.
During this movement the physiological indicators of energy imbalance are perceived as
feeling of congestion, pressure, warmth, coolness, blockage, pulling, drawing, static,
tingling etc.
3. Unruffling: This is the third phase which is accomplished by long down strokes over the
energy field located over the entire body. The repetitions of this action are done until the
therapist no longer the senses congestion or until the client being to senses relief. The
unruffles facilitates the symmetrical and rhythmical flow of energy through the body.
4. Treatment: this is the fourth phase in which the practitioner direct and balance of energy
for the purpose of rebalance of energy flow.
5. Evaluation: This is the fifth or last phase in which recheck of energy is done by therapist.
For this the patient is asked about feeling and client energy field may be rechecked by
therapist to be sure that no blockages were found or not.

Reiki therapy

Reiki: universal life energy

Rei: free passage or transcendental spirit

ki: vital life force energy

 Reiki is a Japanese name consisting of two words ‘Rei’ and ‘ki’ meaning spiritually
guided life energy (commonly known as universal life energy), an energy which animates
us all and is found all around us.
 Reiki is a form of spiritual healing using ‘universal life energy’ channeled through
practitioner to the recipient.
 It is derived from ancient Buddhist practices from Tibet several thousand year ago and it
is a Japanese healing art developed by Japanese Buddhist Dr. Mikao Usi in 1922 and
becoming increasingly popular worldwide.
 It was introduced to western world in mid 1970s.
 It involves the transfer of energy from practitioner to the patient and claims to enhance
the body’s natural ability to itself through the balancing of energy.
 It utilizes specific techniques for restoring and balancing the natural life force energy
within the body.
 It is a holistic, natural, hands n energy healing system that touches on all levels, body,
mind and spirit.
 It is administered by “lying on hands” and is based on the idea that an unseen ‘life force
energy’ flows through us and is what cause us to be alive.
 If one’s ‘life energy force’ is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy but if
it is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress.
 The main aim of the therapy is to balance this energy and to allow it transfer.
 It is well thought out that when the positive energy is balanced and permitted to flow
through the body, healing will be achieved.
 Reiki practice can be done by direct contact with the client or by distance method.
 The healer places his hands above the recipient or holds his hands a few inches or farther
away from the patient’s body and manipulates the energy field from there.
 The recipient draws the energy as needed.
 The person being healed must take active part and takes responsibility for his healing
process.
 Reiki is depending on some principles
 do not be angry
 do not be worried
 be grateful work with integrity
 be kind to others
  There are two main branches of reiki referred as traditional Japanese reiki and western
reiki.
 Within both there are three forms: first degree, second degree and master or teacher
degree.
 In first degree, a reiki practitioner is able to heal him and others.
 In second degree, he is able to heal others with the use f specialized symbols
(commonly called distant healing).
 Whereas master level is able to teach reiki to others.
 Reiki has various effect on body like relaxation, destroys blockage of energy flow,
detoxify the toxic effect, provide vitality in the form of healing etc.
 The regular practitioners of reiki often find more joyful, lively and their own in-built
energy is enhanced almost as if their batteries had been fully charged.
 Contemporary intrapersonal conflicts can be broken down and there may be greater
vitality, relaxation and improvement develops.
 Reiki helps to harmonize body, mind, and spirit of own or anyone that want to help.
 It can be used for many aliments like reducing stress, relieving pain, headaches, stomach
upsets, back problems, asthma, and other respiratory problems, PMT, menstrual
problems, sinus, anxiety and many more.
 There is no belief system attached to reiki so anyone can receive a reiki treatment or a
reiki attunement.
 As in any healing the first step towards a healthier life is a desire to be healed.
 Reiki is a powerful and gentle healer because it promotes natural self-healing, balances
the energies in the body, balances the organs and glands, strengthens the immune system,
treats symptoms and cause of illness, relieves pain, clears toxins, adapts to natural needs
of the receiver, enhances personal awareness, relaxes, and reduces stress, promotes
creativity, releases blocked and suppressed feelings, aids meditation and positive thinking
and heals holistically.

Mind body therapies

  Mind Body Therapies are a group of healing techniques that enhance the minds
interactions with bodily function to induce relaxation and to improve overall health and
well-being.
 These forms of mind and body therapies do not use any medication.
They may be used as a part of treatment plans for certain medical problems such as
mental disorders, insomnia.
 They may also help to decrease acute or chronic pain.

 Mind body therapies include:

o Progressive relaxation
o Bio-feedback mechanism
o Guided imagery
o Medication
o Prayer
o Humor and laughter
o Hypnosis

Relaxation therapy

 Relaxation therapy is a broad term used to describe a number of techniques that

promote stress reduction, the elimination of tension throughout the body and a
calm and peaceful state of mind.
 Progressive relaxation is a type of relaxation therapy.

Purposes

 To improve the circulation.

 To relieve muscle fatigue.
 To improve physical and mental health.
 To improve physiological function.
Progressive relaxation

 Progressive relaxation is a systematic tensing and relaxation of all major muscle groups.
The individual learns to detect subtle localized sensation of muscle tension in muscle
groups.
 Beside this, the individual learns to differentiate
 This technique teaches the individual how to effectively rest and reduces tension in the
body.
 It relaxes the mind by relaxing the body between the high intensity tension (strong fist
clenching) and very subtle tension.

JACOBSON PROGRESSIVE MUSCLE RELAXATION

 It is the systematic approach to relieve muscle tension.

 It is the most often used technique develop by psychiatrist EDMUND JACOBSON.
 In this, the client must learn to relax through deep muscle relaxation training.
 The method is used in the treatment of muscular tension, anxiety, insomnia, depression,
fatigue, muscle spasms, mild phobias, etc.

Procedure

1. Make the patient in a comfortable position.

2. Provide light or soft music / pleasant visual cues.
3. Give a brief explanation about the progressive muscle relaxation.
4. Instruct the client to tense each muscle group approximately for 10 second.
5. Explain the tension of the muscle and uncomfortable the body parts feel.
 6. Ask the client to relax each muscle.

Advantages of progressive relaxation

 Requires no specialized equipment.

 Easy to learn, quick and easy to perform.
 Valuable in rehabilitation.
 Has both psychological and physiological benefits.

Benefits of progressive relaxation:

Psychological effects

 Increases self-concept and self-esteem

 Reduces anxiety
 Reduces depression
 Helps with insomnia
 Helps with alcoholism and drug abuse

Physiological effects

 Suppresses tension
 Regularizes heartbeat
 Decreases blood pressure
 Increases blood flow to primary muscles
 Effective in treating migraines and tension headaches
 Effective in treating backaches

Disadvantages of Progressive Relaxation

 Large change in blood pressure when using large muscle groups.
  Difficult to measure gains.
 Does not produce muscular endurance.

Biofeedback Mechanism

Introduction

 Biofeedback is a form of alternative medicine that involves measuring a subject's

quantifiable bodily functions such as blood pressure, heart rate, skin temperature, sweat
gland activity and muscle tension.
 This raises the client's awareness and conscious control of their unconscious
physiological activities.
 It is a technique in which people are trained to improve their health by learning to control
certain internal bodily processes that normally occur involuntarily such as heart rate,
blood pressure, skin temperature and muscle tension.
 These activities can be measured with electrodes and displayed on a monitor viewable by
both the patient and their health care provider.
 The monitor provides feedback to the participants about the internal workings of his/her
body.
Examples
1. Electromyography (EMG) -which measures muscle tension
2. Thermal bio feedback - which measures skin temperature
3. Neuro feedback/ Electroencephalography (EEG) - which measures brain wave
activity
 Biofeedback, may be useful for the following health problems anorexia, nervosa, anxiety,
asthma, back pain, depression, chronic pain, muscle spasm, high blood pressure, fecal
incontinence etc.

Clinical application
  Biofeedback technique has been successful in treating migraine, headache, phantom limb
pain, abdominal pain, tempero-mandibular pain, urinary incontinence, hypertension,
insomnia and anxiety disorder.
 In addition, biofeedback technique is used on a mood limited basic to treat the following
neuromuscular disorder such as paralysis and muscle spasticity, epilepsy, caused by a
disturbance in the electrical activity of the brain and which is characterized by seizure
phobias.

Limitations

 During biofeedback sessions, repressed emotions or feelings may be uncovered that the
clients cannot cope by themselves.

How does Biofeedback work?

 Scientists are not able to exactly explain how or why biofeedback works. However, there
does seem to be at least one common thread; most people who benefit from biofeedback
have conditions that have brought on or made worse by stress.
 By learning how to recognize the physical signs and symptoms of stress and anxiety,
such as increased heart rate, body temperature and muscle tension, people are able to
learn how to relax.
 Relaxation is the key to successful biofeedback therapy.
 Guided by a biofeedback therapist, a person can learn how to lower his or her blood
pressure through relaxation techniques and mental exercises.
 When a person successfully relaxes and lowers their blood pressure, the feedback signals
reflect this accomplishment.
 This acts as affirmation and encouragement for the person’s continued efforts.

What is a typical biofeedback session like?
 Electrical sensors are connected to specific areas of the body, depending upon the type of
response being measured.
  These sensors are connected to a measurement device that provides feedback on the
physical responses.
 During session, therapist guides through different mental exercises that may involve
visualization, meditation, breathing or relaxation techniques.
 After these activities, information from the physical response is received from the
measurement device.

Guided imagery therapy

 Guided imagery therapy is a technique in which mental health professionals help

individuals in therapy focus on mental images in order to evoke feeling of relaxation.
 It is based on concept of mind –body connection. Mind-body connection upholds the
interaction between body and mind as one important factor in a person’s overall health
and wellbeing.
 In guidance therapeutic imagery a person can call on mental images to improve both
emotional and physical health.
 For example,
 The client may be directed to begin slow, abdominal breathing while focusing on
rhythm of breathing.
 The client is then instructed to visualize ocean waves coming to show with each
inspiration and then residing with each expiration.
 Next the client is instructed to take notice of smells sounds and temperature that he or she
is experiencing.
 As the imagery session progresses the client maybe instructed to visualize warmth
entering the body during inspiration and tension will leave the body during expiration.

Principles:

1) The Mind –Body Connection: -

 To the body, image created in the mind can be almost as real as actual, external events.
For example, when we read a recipe, we start to salivate. Mind is constructing image of
food.
2) The altered state: -
In our mind state, our brain wave activity and our biochemistry shifts. The altered state is
state of relaxed focus, a kind of calm but energized alertness, a highly intense form of
focused reverie, attention is concentrated on one thing or on a very narrow band of things.
We are capable of faster and more intense healing, growth, learning and performance.
3) Locus of control: -
When we have a sense of being in control, that, in and of itself can help us to feel better
and do better.

How does guided imagery works?

 Practitioners say that guided imagery works because, in terms of brain activity, picturing
something and experiencing are equivalent.
 Stimulating the brain and imagery can have a direct effect on the nervous and endocrine
system and can ultimately affect the immune system as well.
 If one picture self-luxuriating at the beach on a tropical island, muscle will actually relax,
and skin will feel the warmth of sun’s rays.
 Likewise, if one imagines self-recuperating quickly and effortlessly from gall bladder and
is more likely to heal faster and with less pain.
 The brain’s visual cortex, which processes images has a powerful connection with the
autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary activities such as pulse, breathing,
physical responses to stress.
 Soothing, uplifting endorphins, which makes person feel good and nurtures body
restorative powers. mages can actually slow the pulse and breathing and lower blood
pressure, as well as help trigger the release of hormones such as endorphins, which make
person feel good and nurture body's restorative powers.

Application of Guided Imagery

  Any stress-related health problems including high blood pressure, pain related to muscle
tension, insomnia and anxiety or depression may be related by guided imagery.
 The associated conditions such as skin rashes, or irritable bowel syndrome are also
amenable to this therapy.
 This therapy has been shown to be beneficial in treating auto-immune disorders such as
rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease and can be useful to alleviate chronic allergies,
hives, and asthma.

The Academy of Guided Imagery (AGI) classifies the therapeutic application of guided
imagery into three categories: -

1) Stress reduction and relaxation.

2) Active visualization or directed imagery for improving performance, changing behavior,
or influencing on outcome.
3) Receptive imagery in which words and images are brought to consciousness to explore
and give information about symptoms, treatment, moods, or illness.

Procedure

1) Get comfortable
Get into a relaxed position where your physical comfort won't be a distraction.
2) Breathe from your belly
Use diaphragmic deep breathing and close your eyes, focusing on “breathing in peace
and breathing out stress.”
3) Choose a scene and vividly imagine it.
Once you get relaxed state begin to envision yourself in the midst of the most relaxing
environment you can imagine.
4) Immerse yourself in sensory details
As you imagine the scene, try to involve all your’s senses. What does it look like? How
does it feel? What special scents are involved? etc.
5) Relax
 Enjoy the surroundings and let yourself be far from what stresses you. When you are
ready to come back to reality, count back from 10 or 20 and tell yourself that when you
get to one, you'll feel serene and alert.

Limitations

It is only a behavioral intervention so that it has few side effects such as spontaneous daydreams.

Meditation

 The root word, ‘meditari’ means to consider or one can say to pay attention to something.
 Dr. Herbert Benson wrote the book “The Relaxation Response (1975)” as Benson pointed
out the components of relaxation are quite simple: a quiet space, a comfortable position, a
receptive attitude, and a focus of attention.
 Habert-Benson described meditation as a process that anyone can use to calm own, cope
with pain and for those with spiritual inclinations, feel as one with God or the universe.
 Meditation is a practice of concentrated focus upon a sound object, visualization, the
breath, movement, attention itself to increase awareness of the present moment, reduce
stress, and enhance personal and spiritual growth.
 Meditation techniques involve slow, relaxed deep usually abdominal breathing.
 Meditation evokes a restful state, lowers oxygen consumption, reduces respiratory and
heart rates.

Classification

Meditation techniques can be grouped into:

a. Concentrative meditation
b. Reflective meditation
c. Mindfulness meditation
d. Heart centered meditation
e. Creative meditation

a) Concentrative meditation
 Concentrative meditation focuses the attention, the breath, an image or sound in
order to still the mind and allow a greater awareness and clarity to emerge. This
is like a zoom lens in a camera, with narrow our focus to a selected field.
 The simplest form of concentrative meditation is to sit quietly and focus the
attention on the breath.
 Example: when a person is anxious, frightened agitated or distracted, the breathe
will trend to be shallow, rapid and uneven. On the other hand, when the mind us
calm, focused and composed the breath will tend to be slow, deep and regular.
Focusing the mind on the continuous rhythm of inhalation and exhalation
provides a natural object of meditation.
b) Reflective meditation
 Reflective meditation is also known as analytical meditation and refers to
disciplined thinking.
 In order to successfully practice reflective meditation, we will need to choose a
question, theme, or topic and focus analysis or reflection upon it.
 Initially, our thoughts may wander to other topics but then we need to train our
mind t come back to the topic question.
 As you practice this every day, our mind will be more in control and not wander
off. It is one of the most important types of meditation and is considered to have a
calming effect on the mind. It stimulates transformative power and provides you
with greater conviction and strength to change the course of your life.
c) Mindfulness meditation
 Mind fullness meditation “involves opening the attention to become aware of the
continuously passing parade of sensation and feelings, images, thoughts, sounds,
smells, and so forth without becoming involved in thinking about them.”
 The person sits quietly and simply witness whatever goes through the mind, not
reacting or becoming involved with thought, memories, worries, or images. This
help to gain a more calm, clear and non-active state of mind.
 d) Heart- centered meditation
 Heart centered meditation will help us release all our fears and sadness and bathe
in the radiance of having kindness and compassion. It is also known as heart
chakra meditation. Practicing this meditation over a period of time will help us to
heal our heart and that of others.
 This meditation technique helps in opening the heart chakra and removes any
negative energy. In order to practice this meditation technique, choose a quiet
place set the right posture and focus the heart area while inhaling and exhaling
slowly but smoothly.
 This is considered as one of the important meditation techniques.

e) Creative meditation or visualization:

This form of meditation will enable you to consciously cultivate the strength and
different qualities of mind. It focuses on strengthening qualities, such as appreciation, joy,
compassion, patience, empathy, love gratitude, humility, fearlessness among others.

Benefits of meditation

The benefits of ongoing meditation practice as it impacts our health can be classified further into
three categories: physiological and spiritual. Most people who practice meditation do so o reduce
stress, anxiety, anger, and other negative emotions.

Physical benefits

 Deep rest as measured by decreased metabolic rate, and reduced workload of heart.
 Lowered level of cortical and lactate.
 Reduction of free radicals’ unstable oxygen molecules that can cause tissue damage.
 Decreased high blood pressure.
 Higher skin resistant.
  Drop in cholesterol level.
 Improved flow of air to the lungs resulting in easier breathing.

Psychological benefits

 Increased brain wave coherence increases greater creativity, improved moral reasoning
and IQ.
 Decreased anxiety and depression.
 Decreased irritability and moodiness.
 Improved learning ability and memory.
 Increased self-actualization.
 Increased feelings of vitality and rejuvenation.
 Increased happiness.
 Increased emotional stability.


Spiritual benefits

 The longer an individual practices meditation, the greater the likelihood that his or her
goal and efforts will shift toward personal and spiritual growth.

Steps of meditation

1. Sit tall
2. The most common and accessible position for meditation is sitting. Sit on the floor in a
chair, or on a stool. If you are seated on the floor, it is often most comfortable to sit cross-
legged on a cushion. Comfort is key. Now imagine a thread extending from the top of
your head, pulling you back, neck and head straight up towards the ceiling in a straight
line.
3. Relax your body
Close your eyes and scan your body, relaxing each body part one at a time. Begin with
your toes, feet, ankles, shins and continue to move up your entire body. Don’t forget to
relax your shoulders, neck, eyes, face, jaw, and tongue which are all common areas for us
to hold tension.
4. Be still and silent
 Now that you are sitting tall and relaxed, take a moment to be still. Just sit. Be aware of
your surroundings, your body, the sound around you. Don’t react to change anything. Just
be aware.
5. Breathe
Focus your attention to your breathe. Breathe silently, yet deeply. Engage your
diaphragm and fill your lungs, but don't force your breath. Notice how your breathe feels
in your nose, throat, chest and belly as air flows in and out.

6. Establish a mantra
Mantra is a sound, word or phrase that can be repeated throughout your meditation.
Mantras can have spiritual, vibrational, and transformative benefits, or they can simply
provide a point of focus during meditation. They can be spoken aloud or silently to
yourself. A simple and easy mantra for beginners is silently say each breath, I am
breathing in, I am breathing out.
7. Calm your mind
When you focus on your breath or mantra, your mind will begin to calm, and become
present. This doesn't mean that thoughts will cease to arise.as thoughts come to you,
simply acknowledge them, set them, and return your attention to your breath or mantra.
Don’t dwell on your thoughts. Some days your mind will be busy and filled with inner
chatter, other days it will remain calm and focused. Neither good, nor bad.

8. When to end your practice

There is no correct length of time to practice meditation, when first beginning it is often
easier for shorter periods of time (5 to 10 min). As you became more comfortable with
your practice, meditate longer. Set an alarm if you prefer to sit for a predetermined length
of time. Another option is decided on the number of breaths you will count before ending
your practice. A mala is helpful tool to use when counting breaths.

9. How to end your practice

 When you are ready to end your practice, slowing, bring your conscious attention back to
your surroundings. Acknowledge your presence in the space around you. Gently wiggle
your fingers and begin to move your hands, feet arms and legs. Open your eyes. Move
slowly and take your time for getting up.

10. Practice often

Consistency is more important than quantity. Meditating for 5 minutes every day will
reward you with greater benefits than meditating for two hours, one day a week.

11. Practice everywhere

Most beginners find it easier to meditate in a quiet space at home, but as you become
more comfortable begin exploring new places to practice. Meditating outdoors in nature
can be very peaceful and taking the opportunity to meditate on the bus or in your office
chair can be an excellent stress reliever.
Meditation is a simple, effective, and convenient way to calm your busy mind, relax your
body, become grounded and find inner peace amidst, the chaos of day-to-day life. Begin
meditating today and reap the rewards.

Prayer

Introduction

 “There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonic so powerful as the
expectation of something better tomorrow.”
-Orion Swett Maden
 Prayer is the act of attempt to communicating with a deity or spirit. Purposes for this may
include worshipping, requesting guidance, requesting assistance, confessing sins as an act
of reparation or to express one’s thought and emotions. The words of prayers may take
the form of intercession, a hymn, incantation, or a spontaneous utterance in the person’s
praying words. Secularly, the term may also be used as an alternative to ‘hope’. Praying
 can be done in public, as a group and in private. Most major religions in the world
involve prayer in one way or the other.

Types of prayer
Prayer comes in many flavors; specific types of prayer include:
1. Intercessory prayers – praying for someone else.
2. Distant healing prayer – praying for the healing of someone or something at a
distant.
3. Petition prayer – asking God or higher power for something.
4. Centering prayer – centering on a word or phrase for a minimum of 20 times in
silence, usually to open to the sacred.
5. Contemplate prayer- opening to union with the God or the sacred.
6. Mediation- differs somewhat by religion. In Christianity, the goal of meditation is
often union with God. In Buddhism, the goal of medication is to expand awareness
and get in sight into the nature of passing phenomenon. Meditation may be
practiced by sitting in silence (often while following one’s breath), doing
intentional movements or using visualizations, imagination or a specific object or
mantra as a focus.

How prayer improves health?

Prayer improves health in many ways. It has many health benefits:

1. The relaxation response: Prayer elicits the relaxation response, which lowers blood
pressure and other factors heightened by stress.
2. Secondary control: Prayer releases control to something greater than oneself, which
can reduce the stress of needing to be in charge.
3. The Placebo response: Prayer can enhance a person’s hopes and expectations and that
in turn can positively impact health.
4. Healing presence: Prayer can bring the sense of the spiritual or loving presence and
alignment with God or an impression into a universal unconsciousness.
5. Positive feelings: Prayer can elicit feelings of gratitude, compassion, forgiveness, and
hope, all of which are associate with healing and wellness.
 6. Mind-Body-Spirit connection: When prayer uplifts or calms, it inhabits the release of
cortisol and other hormones, thus reducing the negative impact of stress on the
immune system and promote healing.

Humor and laughter

Humor

 Humor is a tendency of experiences to provoke laughter and provide amusement.

-Wikipedia
 Humor in nursing is defined as helping the client to perceive, appreciate, and express
what is funny, amusing to establish relationships, relieve tension, release anger, facilitate
learning, or cope with painful feelings.
-Bulechek, Butcher, and Dochterman,2008

Laughter

 Laughter is a physical reaction in humans consisting typically of rhythmical, often

audible contraction of the diaphragm, and other parts of the respiratory system. It is
response to certain external or internal stimuli.
-Wikipedia

 Laughing is found to lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones, increase muscle
flexion, and boost immune function by raising levels of infection fighting T-cells, disease
fighting proteins called gamma interferon and B-cells, which produce disease destroying
antibodies. Laughter also triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural
painkillers, and produces a general sense of wellbeing.
  Humor is a universal language. Patients, doctors, and health care professionals are all
finding that laughter may indeed be the best medicine.
 Finding humor in a situation and laughing freely with others can be a powerful antidote
to stress.
 It is also a very good coping mechanism when someone is suffering from deadly diseases
such as cancer.

Therapeutic benefits

 Decreases level of epinephrine [the stress hormone]

 Activates the immune system
 Elevates the threshold for pain and minimize the pain sensation
 Promotes spiritual and psychological coping
 Helps one to face difficult or unpleasant procedures
 Creates a more positive environment
 Increase heart rate and stimulates circulation
 Deepens respirations
 Causes muscles to contract.

To use humor effectively, nurses need to be aware of their own feelings as well as the feelings of
others and cultural variations in what people consider humorous.

Hypnosis:

Hypnosis is the induction of a state of consciousness in which a person apparently looses the
power of voluntary action and is highly responsive to suggestion or direction. It uses in therapy,
typically to recover suppressed memories or to allow modification of behavior.

Hypnosis is a therapeutic technique in which clinician make suggestion to individuals who

have undergone a procedure designed to relax them and focus their mind.
Although hypnosis has been controversial, most clinicians now agree it can be a powerful,
effective therapeutic technique for a wide range of conditions, including pain, anxiety, and mood
disorders. Hypnosis can also help people change their habits, such as quitting smoking.

Hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis in psychotherapy. It is used by licensed practitioners. They

may use hypnosis to treat depression, anxiety, eating disorder, sleep disorder, compulsive
gaming, posttraumatic stress. Hypnotherapy is a helpful adjunct having additive effects when
treating psychological disorders, such as these along with scientifically proven cognitive
therapies.

Alternatives medical therapies

The word alternatives medicine literally means alternatives to something else is mainly referred
to western medicine or allopathy or orthodox medicines. It mainly includes all forms of
treatments other than allopathy. Various regions of the world are taking up to concept of
alternatives medicine after recognizing its importance.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese method of producing analgesia or altering the functioning

of a body system by inserting thin needle along a series of lines or channels called meridians. It
is the method of stimulating certain point (acupoints) on the body the insertion of the special
needles to modify the perception of pain, normalized physiological function, treat or prevent
diseases. According to Chinese traditional medicine, acupuncture needle unblocks the
obstruction of energy and re-establish the flow of chi through meridians. Therapy stimulates and
activates the body`s self-healing mechanisms. An initial acupuncture session usually lasts 20
minutes to 1 hours.

Clinical application

Acupuncture is effective in treatment of problem such as:

 Low back pain

 Myofascial pain (chronic pain disorder)

 Migraine headache

 Sciatica

 Sinusitis

 GI problem

 Premenstrual symptoms

 Neurological disorder

 Asthma

 Hypertension

 Smoking and other addiction

complication

 Infection

 Broken needle

 Punctures of internal organ

 Bleeding

 Seizures and miscarriage

Limitation

 Bleeding disorder

 Thrombocytopenia

 Skin infection

 Electro puncture should be avoided in person with pacemaker and those who have arrhythmia,
epilepsy or pregnant.

Benefits

 Help to reduce headaches and migraines

 Strengthens immune system

 Help to relieve anxiety and depression

 Reduce allergies

 improve blood circulation

 help alleviate cognitive decline

 improve side effects of chemotherapy

 help in insomnia

 improve chronic pain

Herbal medicine

It is a traditional medicine or folk medicine practice bases on the use of plants and plant extracts.
It is also known as botanical medicine, medical herbalism, herbalism, herbology. Herbal
medicine is refers to using a plants seeds, berries, root, leaves, bark , or flower for medical
purpose.

Application

 allergies

 asthma

 eczema

 premenstrual syndrome

 rheumatoid arthritis

 migraine

 menopausal symptoms

 chronic fatigue

 irritable bowel syndrome

some commonly used herbs

Plants Action
Aloe  anti-inflammatory
 acceleration of wound healing
 alkalization of digestive juice
Ginger garlic  antiemetic
 anti-oxidative
 anti-inflammatory
Gingko biloba  increase blood flow and metabolism
 antioxidant
 anti-inflammation
Organ green tea  anti-bacterial
 components may inhibit growth of breast
cancer and may heals scars faster,
Lemon grass honey  decrease cholesterol
 useful in wound healing

Other herbs

1. Tulsi –blood purifier, prevent against malaria and dengue fever. It relieves cold and flu.

2. Neem – it inhibits allergic reaction

3. Turmeric – stimulate digestion, boost liver function

4. Amla – it stimulates appetite, benefits for heart, eyes, brain.

5. Peppermint – its relief of an upset stomach, used as an appetite stimulant, used for a refreshing
and cleansing facial wash.

6. Black pepper – relief indigestion

There are some risks associated with herbal medicine.

 Some herbs even in small amount can be toxic.

 Standardization of purity and dosage is not mandated.

Homeopathy

 Homeopathy is a medical system based on a belief that the body can cure itself. It was
developed in the late 1700s in Germany. Those who practice it use tiny amounts of natural
substances like plants and minerals. They believe these stimulates the healing process.

 Homeopathy is a natural form of medicine used by over 200 million people worldwide to treat
both acute and chronic condition.

Definition

Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine in which practitioner treat patient using highly
diluted preparation, formulation obtained from natural sources that are believed to cause healthy
people to exhibited symptoms that are similar to those exhibited by the patient.

How does its works

Supporters of homeopathy point to two unconventional theories:

1. “like cures like”:

The notion that a disease can be cured by a substance that produce similar symptoms in healthy
person.

2. “law of minimum dose”:

The lower the dose of medication, the greater its effectiveness. Many homeopathic remedies are
so diluted that no molecules of the original substance remain.

Homeopathic remedies are derived from substances that came from plants, minerals or animals
such as poison ivy, red onion, arnica, crushed whole bees, white arsenic, belladonna (deadly
nightshade) and stinging nettle. They come in variety of forms like sugar pellets, liquid drops,
creams, gels and tablets.

Indication
 Migraine

 Allergies

 Depression

 Irritable bowel syndrome

 bruises

 Toothaches

 Headache

 Nausea

 Colds and coughs

Benefits

 Easy to administer

 No or minimal side effects as the remedy contain no toxic substance.

 Effective as it triggers natural healing process

 Cheap compared to conventional medicine.

 It does not interfere with other medications.

What are the risk

 Homeopathic medicines are said to be safe to use as they rarely cause side effects. When used
appropriately under the guidance of qualified homeopath, they can be taken by people of all ages
including children and pregnant or breastfeeding women.

 However, some homeopathic remedies can contain large amounts of active ingredients like
heavy metals, that can be harmful.

Naturopathy

Introduction
• Naturopathy or naturopathy medicine is a system of medicine based on the healing power of
nature.

• Naturopathy is a holistic system, meaning that the naturopathic doctors strive to find the cause
of disease by understanding body, mind, and spirit of the person.

• There are 2 areas of focus in naturopathy; one is supporting the body’s own healing abilities,
and the other is empowering the people to make lifestyle changes necessary for the best possible
health.

• Naturopathic practitioners treat the whole person, which means they consider a variety of
factors before they diagnose an illness. Therapist might look at patient’s mental, emotional, and
spiritual state, diet, family history, environment and lifestyle before making a diagnosis.

• It is a multidisciplinary approach to healthcare that recognize the body`s innate power to heal
itself.

• Naturopathy is the treatment of illness by using diet, herbs, exercises, etc.

Principle of naturopathy

1. The healing power of natures

 Naturopathic medicine recognizes an inherent self -healing process in people that is ordered
and intelligent. naturopathic physician act to identify and remove the obstacles to healing and
recovery and to facilitate self-healing process.

2. Identify and treat the causes

 The naturopathic physician seeks to identify and remove the underlying causes of illness
rather than merely eliminate or suppress symptoms.

3. First do no harm

 Naturopathic physicians follow three guidelines to avoid harming the patient.

 Utilize method and medicinal substance which minimize the risk of harmful effects. using the
least force necessary to diagnose and treat.

 Avoid, when possible, the harmful suppression of symptoms.

 Acknowledge respect and work with individual self-healing process.

4. Prevention is the best cure

 Naturopathic physicians emphasize the prevention of diseases. Assessing

risk factors, heredity. encourage for proper diet.

5. Treat the whole person

 Western medicine aims to cure a specific disease or an affected body part. Each person is
unique and has a unique set of factors contributing to the diseases that has erupted. Disease
affects through a complex interaction between the environment, lifestyle, and physical state. The
body is an integrated whole whereby any effective treatment plan must incorporate a whole
person approach both spiritually and physically.

6. The physician as a teacher

 Naturopathic physicians take the time to educate and empower patients about their health.
They teach how to achieve better health.

Different types of naturopathy treatment

1. Hydrotherapy

It includes drinking natural spring water , taking bath , altering hot and cold application and
water exercises .all of which are thoughts to stimulate healing and strengthen the immune
system.

2. Mud therapy

It is the process of using one of the natural element of the universe for healing purpose .Benefits
of therapy absorbed body toxin , release the muscle ,improves blood circulation , goof for skin
and hair , improves metabolism .

3. Fasting therapy

Fasting is primarily the act of willingly abstaining from some or all food , drink or both for
period of time. During fasting the body burns up and excretes large amounts of accumulated
wastes.
4. Heliotherapy

It is the use of natural sunlight for the therapeutic purpose .it is highly effective treatment
modality for skin disorder.

5.Chromotherapy

It is a method of treatment that use the visible spectrum of electromagnetic radiation to cure
diseases .it is also called color therapy .It is used in anxiety , depression , decrease swelling ,
relieve pain .

5. Massage

Massage is also a modality of naturopathy and quite essential for maintaining good health.
Massage involve acting on and manipulating the body with pressure.

6. Physical medicine –This natural approach to healing involves using touch, hot and cold
compresses, electric currents, and sound waves to manipulate the muscles, bones, and spine.

7. Detoxification –This therapy removes toxins from the body by fasting, using enemas, and
drinking lots of water.

8.Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese method of producing analgesia or altering the functioning

of a body system by inserting thin needle along a series of lines or channels called meridians.

9.Spirituality –Personal spiritual development ie encouraged as part of an overall health program.

10.Nutritional counseling

11.Herbal medicine

Indication

 Asthma

 Hypertension

 Chronic fatigue

 Constipation
 Arthritis

 Diabetes

 Dental diseases

 Migraine

 Skin disorder

Advantage

 Cost effective

 No side effects

 Focuses on cause not on symptoms

 Noninvasive and natural treatment

Ayurveda

Introduction

 Ayurveda is an ancient system of natural and medical healing that originated in Nepal and
India. Ayur means life and veda means science. So, it is the science of life , total approach to
health healing and longevity.

 According to the Ayurveda everything in nature is composed of five element i.e. space (akash)
,air (vayu) , fire (teja) , water (jal) and earth (prithivi).

 Ayurvedic practitioner further group these five elements into 3 categories “Dodhas”

1.Veta – space and air

2. Pitta – fire and water

3. Kaapha- - earth and water

The ayurvedic practitioner believe that disease is caused by excess of one or more of these
elements.
Definition

All medicines intended for internal or external use for or in the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation
or prevention of disease /disorder in human beings or animals.

Aim of Ayurveda

 To integrate and balance the body , mind and spirit . (thus some view its as holistic)

 To clean the body and substance that cause diseases.

 To help re –establish harmony and balance.

Tirdosha theory

The central concept of ayurvedic medicine is the theory that health exist when there is a balance
between doshas called vata , pitta , and kapha. Each dosha has a particular relationship to body
function.

1. Vata

 It is thought to be a combination of the element space and air.

 It is considered the most powerful dosha because it control very basic body processes such as
cell division , the heart , breathing and mind.

 The vata can be thrown out of the balance by staying up to late night ,eating dry fruits or
eating before the pervious meal is digested.

 Imbalance causes the skin , neurological and mental disease.

2. Pitta

 The pitta dosha represent the element fire and water.

 Pitta is said to be related to hormones and the digestive system.

 An imbalance a person experience negative emotion (such as hostility , jealously) and have
physical symptoms (heartburn).

 Pitta becomes upset by eating spicy or sour food , being angry , tired or fearful or spending too
much time in sun.
 People with predominantly pittadosha constitution are thought to be susceptible to heart
disease and arthritis.

3. Kapha

 The kaphadosha combine the element water and earth.

 It is thought to help up strength and immunity and to control growth.

 An imbalance cause nausea immediately eating.

 It is aggravated by sleeping during daytime , eating too much sweet food and beverages with
too much salt.

 Those with predominant kaphadosha are thought to be vulnerable to diabetes, gallbladder

problems , stomach ulcers and asthma.

Branches of Ayurveda

1) Internal medicine – kaya chikitsa

2) Surgery –salyachikitsa

3) Ears , eyes , nose and throats –shalakyachikitsa

4) Paediatrics – kaumarabhrityatantra

5) Toxicology – agadatantra

6) Purification of genetic organs – vajikarmatantra

7) Health and longevity – rasayanatantra

8) Spiritual healing / psychiatry – bhutvidhya

Indication

 Anxiety

 Eczema

 Asthma
 Rheumatoid arthritis

 Hypertension

 Arthritis

 Stress

 Digestive problems

 High cholesterol level

Limitation

 It may be harmful when used without proper supervision ,so it should be used only under the
care of a qualified practitioner.

Importance of holistic health practice in nursing

 As nurse were present 24 hours 7 day with patient this practice provide them knowledge to
treat a patient as a whole.

 It help the nurses to assess and provide a physical , mental ,spiritual , and social need (CARE)
to their patient.

 This practice help the nurse to recognize and treat each patient differently.

 This practice help the nurse to understand the different approach of treatment to the patient
with different disease condition.

 This practice help the nurse to understand the patient as a whole.