Slide 1 : Holistic Health
Medical care that brings you health and wellness Office of Health Education and Promotion Health Services
University of New Hampshire
http:www.unh.edu/health-services
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Slide 2 : What is complementary and alternative medicine?
Complementary and alternative medicine encompasses a wide variety of health care practices and therapies that aren’t traditionally included in the United States’ conventional medical system. Over 36% of American adults use some form of complementary or alternative practice.*
What is the difference between complementary and alternative medicine
Complimentary practices are defined as treatments not encompassed by conventional medicine, but used alongside conventional care.
Alternative practices are defined as treatments that are used instead of conventional medicine.
*Source: According to the National Institute of Health
Slide 3 : What is the scientific research on complementary and alternative medicine?
The National Institute of Health recently established an agency called the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) that performs scientific research on the practices and therapies not included in conventional medical practices.
Numerous studies have been performed, and many practices are currently being tested under thorough scientific standards.
Slide 4 : What are the main types of Complimentary Medicine? Whole Medical Systems developed either separate from, or before the current conventional approach.
Mind/Body Medicine uses the mind to affect the body’s process.
Biologically based practices use natural substances to affect the body’s processes.
Manipulative and body based practices use techniques that move the body to affect health and well being.
Energy Medicine is based on the understanding that the body is surrounded and penetrated by energy fields. Energy works with these fields to benefit health and well being.
Slide 5 : Whole Medical Systems
Ayurveda is based on the tenets of
Hindu religion, it is designed to prevent illness and
promote wellness by balancing mind, body and spirit
through massage, yoga, diet, herbs and metals that
cleanse the body of impurities.
Traditional Chinese Medicine is an ancient set of
practices from China that operate under the belief that
the processes of the human body are interrelated and
connected to the environment.
Acupuncture is a practice that functions under the
assumption that there is energy, called qi (chi),
circulating through every living thing, and when this
energy is blocked or disturbed pain and illness arise.
Slide 6 : Whole Medical Systems continued…
Homeopathy is based on the principle
that “like cures like” by stimulating the
body’s natural healing response.
Naturopathy combines many different healing
practices such as homeopathy, diet,
acupuncture, herbal medicine, manipulative
medicine, massage, counseling and
hydrotherapy to provide “a state of complete
physical, mental and social well-being, not
merely the absence of infirmity.”*
* World Health Organization. From the preamble of the Constitution of the World Health
Organization.
Slide 7 : Mind/Body Medicine
Art Therapy is the practice of using creative
processes such as painting, drawing and sculpture to
improve the overall health and well being of clients.
Hypnotherapy is the practice of using an altered
state of consciousness for therapeutic purposes.
Hypnosis can relieve many different conditions,
including anxiety, addiction and headaches. Meditation is a self-help technique that heightens
mental awareness, promotes inner peace and
produces mental, physical and spiritual benefits.
Slide 8 : Mind and Body systems continued… Music Therapy uses music to
address a number of emotional,
cognitive and social issues in
people of all ages.
Qigong (also known as chi-kung)
is the ancient Chinese practice of
self-healing that combines
movement, meditation and
breath work.
Slide 9 : Mind and Body systems continued… T'ai Chi Ch'uan, commonly known as T'ai
Chi, is a Chinese movement therapy that
uses breathing and slow movements to
promote healing.
Yoga is a practice that integrates mind,
body and soul together. It is used to care
for the entire body, and is beneficial for
overall health, along with many different
illnesses and conditions.
Slide 10 : Biologically Based Practices
Herbal Medicine is used all over the world. Every culture
and every medicinal system, from Ayurveda to Traditional
Chinese Medicine, have used herbs for therapeutic
purposes. There are thousands of herbs with thousands
of different uses, many of which are used in conventional
medicine as well as for natural remedies. Aromatherapy is the ancient practice of using plant oils
for health and wellbeing. Using the distilled oils from
roots, leaves and flowers, aromatherapists promote
physical and psychological wellness through baths,
inhalations, facials, candles and massage.
Slide 11 : Manipulative and Body Based Practices Alexander Technique is a movement-based
therapy that is designed to improve posture to
eliminate pain and strain within the body and to
allow bodily systems to function correctly.
Chiropractic is a form of therapeutic manipulation
that focuses on the relationship between the
spinal column and the nervous system.
Hydrotherapy is the use of water for restoring,
maintaining and regulating breath. Treatments
include steam baths, saunas, hot and cold
compresses, among others.
Slide 12 : Manipulative and body based systems continued… Massage Therapy is a form of body work that is
used to improve function within the body.
Massage therapists use their hands in a variety of
different techniques manipulating soft tissues to
promote relaxation and improved circulation.
Osteopathy is a complete, holistic approach to
medicine that incorporates a form of manipulation
similar to chiropractic alongside conventional
medical techniques.
Reflexology is a type of foot massage that is used
to stimulate the natural healing powers of the
body.
Slide 13 : Energy Medicine Polarity Therapy is based on the belief that an
electromagnetic energy field surrounds the body and
moves between poles of the body. Health is experienced
when the energy flow is balanced and free of blockages.
Reiki is a hands on, Japanese technique used for
promoting relaxation, stress reduction and increased “life
force energy.” It is done by laying ones hand on a person
and working with unseen life energy to increase the flow of
“qi.”
Therapeutic Touch is a type of energy medicine in which
the practitioner uses his or her hands to sense and correct
energy imbalances in the body.
Slide 14 : Health Services offers resources to help you explore Holistic Health! Massage Therapy, 603-862-3823
50 minute traditional and hot stone massages with licensed massage therapists.
Yoga Classes, 603-862-3823
Free yoga classes for students. No registration required.
Free Individual Wellness Education/Counseling, 603-862-3823
Make an individual counseling appointment with a wellness educator/counselor to learn more ways to relax and meditate.
Medical Acupuncture, 603-862-2856
Ear acupuncture for smoking cessation and stress reduction
Body acupuncture for acute and chronic muscular pain and
chronic headaches. Pricing varies.
Slide 15 : Biofeedback Therapy
Call 862-3823 or visit www.unh.edu/health-services to make an appointment
Biofeedback technology uses electronic equipment to measure and
monitor changes in your internal physiological state while teaching
breathing, relaxation and meditation exercises.
Meditation
Individual and group meditation sessions available, call (603) 862-3823
or visit www.unh.edu/health-services for more information.
Health Services Resource Library
Check out the resource library to find great books and DVDs
about holistic health and other wellness and health topics.
Visit us online at http://www.unh.edu/health-services
Download free meditations
Check out some great events sponsored by Health Services
Learn more about services available at Health Services