What is Integrative Medicine?
According to the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine (http://integrativemedicine.arizona.edu) Integrative Medicine (IM) is a healing oriented medicine that takes account of the whole person, including all aspects of lifestyle. It emphasizes the therapeutic relationship between practitioner and patient, is informed by evidence, and makes use of all appropriate therapies. The Center goes on to define Principles of Integrative Medicine: Patient and practitioner are partners in the healing process. All factors that influence health, wellness, and disease are taken into consideration, including mind, spirit, and community as well as the body. Appropriate use of both conventional and alternative methods facilitates the body’s innate healing response. Effective interventions that are natural and less invasive should be used whenever possible. Integrative medicine neither rejects conventional medicine nor accepts alternative therapies uncritically. Good medicine is based in good science. It is inquiry-driven and open to new paradigms. Alongside the concept of treatment, the broader concepts of health promotion and the prevention of illness are paramount. Practitioners of integrative medicine should exemplify its principles and commit themselves to self-exploration and...
Read MoreWhat is Reiki?
The word Reiki comes from the Japanese word Rei which means Universal LIfe and Ki which means Energy. It is a spiritual healing art and it is believed that everyone has the ability to connect with their own healing energy and use it to strengthen energy in themselves and assist others. This practice was started in Japan by Dr. Mikao Usui (born in 1865). It is believed his interest began in a Buddhist school and later in his studies of kiko, the Japanese version of quigong (a health/healing discipline based on use of life energy). His goal was to find a way to do healing work without depleting one’s own energy. Mrs. Hawayo Takata studied under Dr. Usui in the 1930’s and brought this to the Western hemisphere, practicing in Hawaii. Students taught by Mrs. Takata brought this practice to the mainland after initiating 22 Reiki Masters who continued her work and taught others. Reiki is being offered in Carlisle by Anne Leedy and in the Camp Hill office by Sierra McCulloch. Reiki is a great tool for stress reduction and relaxation and is believed that it helps the body to create an environment to facilitate healing. It is used in many hospitals and medical practices nationwide. While it is spiritual in nature, it is not religiously based. Dr. Usui created a set of Reiki ideals, which were developed to add spiritual balance and help people realize that healing the spirit by consciously deciding to improve oneself is a necessary part of this experience. These ideals are: “The secret art of inviting happiness The miraculous medicine of all diseases Just for today, do not anger Do not worry and be filled with gratitude Devote yourself to your work. Be kind to people. Eery morning and evening, join your hands in prayer. Pray these words to your heart and chant these words with your mouth.” www.reiki.org...
Read MoreDefining Energy Psychology
Energy psychology is part of known energy systems work which includes work with meridians, chakras and biofields or auras. It combines cognitive interventions (imaging memory, or visualization of goal) with these interventions. It is believed that tapping these energy points reduces limbic arousal (which includes the amygdala and the hippocampus in the brain) in anxiety disorders and may alter the neural pathways that maintain maladaptive conditioned responses. The cognitive intervention involves pairing the issue with a calmer or more neutral emotional state. There is published research that demonstrates an increase in endorphins which decrease pain and heart rate, and increase in serotonin (a neurotransmitter) which helps to regulate mood, a regulation of cortisol (flight or fight response) and an increase in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), another neurotransmitter, to reduce anxiety and help inhibit fear. This in turn decreases the activity of the sympathetic nervous system (flight or fight) and increases the parasympathetic nervous system (calming for nervous...
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The man in the maze is a symbol found in various areas of Native American art and legend. The legend says that the maze depicts experiences and choices we make in our journey through life, which contains many twists and turns. The maze illustrates the search for balance – physical, social, mental and spiritual. In the middle of the maze one finds their dreams and goals. Legend says when we reach the center, the sun god is there to greet us, bless us and pass us into the next...
Read MoreWhat is a Nurse Practitioner?
A Nurse Practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse who has completed graduate level education, which is either a Masters of Nursing or a Doctorate in Nursing and holds a practice degree. A Nurse Practitioner is a Registered Nurse who has acquired the expert knowledge base, complex decision making skills and clinical competency for expanded practice. A Nurse Practitioner practices in a full range of primary, acute and psychiatric or mental health facilities as well as other specialty areas. A Nurse Practitioner works autonomously and in collaboration with health care professionals in their specialty area. A Nurse Practitioner is trained to : Order, perform and interpret diagnostic tests, lab work and X-rays, CAT scans, etc. Diagnose and treat acute and chronic conditions. Prescribe medications and other treatments. Manage patient’s overall care. Counseling and educating patients on disease prevention, understanding their diagnosis, understanding medications prescribed and why as well as potential side effects, and positive health and lifestyle choices. Specialty areas for nurse practitioners include Adult/Family/Pediatric health, Gerontology, Oncology, Immunology, Cardiovascular, Dermatology, Emergency Medicine, Endocrinology, Psychiatry, Gastroenterology, Hematology/Oncology, Neurology, Women’s Health, Orthopedics, Pulmonology/Respiratory, Urology, Sports Medicine to name a few. Please reference the AANP (American Association of Nurse Practitioners) website for further information at www.aanp.org. Information obtained from this...
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