“The Role of Nurses in Utilizing Complementary and Alternative Medicine: A Focus on Acupuncture”

I need a response to a peer’s discussion post
Prompt
Define complementary and alternative medicine. Choose one example of
complementary and alternative medicine. Describe the nurse
practitioner’s role in utilizing your chosen complementary and
alternative medicine. Support your answer with evidence-based research.
In your
response, it is important to be respectful, make your response
meaningful, and express yourself clearly.    It is a best practice to
not use unsupported personal opinions, generalizations or language that
might be viewed as offensive to others.  If you are trying to extend a
discussion, consider using probing questions.  If providing a
disagreement to a peer post remain respectful, considerate, and maintain
an academic tone.
Respond to this post please
Complementary
and alternative medicine (CAM) refers to medical practices and products
that are not part of the standard medical care. Patients may utilize
CAM to assist in coping with side effects of treatments, provide comfort
and ease the worries that patient may have on treatment and related
stress, and also help cure or treat some diseases (Barcan, 2020). CAM
can comprise mind-body therapies, biological based practices,
body-based and manipulative practices, energy healing and whole medical
systems. Mind-body therapy combines mental focus, body movements and
breathing to help in relaxing the mind and the body. They include;
meditation, biofeedback, hypnosis, taichi, yoga, creative outlets and
imagery. Biological based practices are when CAM utilizes things found
in nature including vitamins, botanicals, dietary supplements, and
special foods or diets. Body-based and manipulative practice is based on
working with body parts like massage therapy, reflexology, and
chiropractic therapy. Energy healing is about belief that an important
energy flow through the body. Lastly, whole medical systems comprise
healing system and beliefs that have evolved over time to diverse
cultures and areas in the world.
Acupuncture
is an example of CAM. It is an alternative therapy that involves
inserting thin needles in the body at distinct locations and depths to
help balance the life forces responsible for various health problems.
The role of nurses is to educate and encourage patients to do their
research and make informed decisions regarding their health and also
making decision to using the alternatives (Barcan, 2020). It is important for nurses to talk to the patient before they try new CAM practices.
Reference
Barcan, R. (2020). Complementary and alternative medicine: Bodies, therapies, senses.