FASTtrack : Complementary and Alternative Medicine Book

Introduction to the FASTtrack series viii Preface ix About the author x
1 Introduction to complementary and alternative medicine 1 Classification 1 Definition 2 The healing response 4 The holistic approach to healing 4 The demand for complementary medicine 5 Integrative medicine 8 Self-assessment 9 Further reading 10 Useful resources 10
2 Clinical issues associated with the use of complementary and alternative medicine 11 CAM treatment providers 11 The CAM treatment process 13 Evidence base 16 CAM research - the problems 18 CAM research - the criticisms 20 Safety 23 CAM and veterinary medicine 24 Self-assessment 25 References 27 Further reading 28 Useful resources 28
3 Introduction to homeopathy 29 The development of homeopathy 29 The basic principles of homeopathy 30 The manufacture of homoeopathic medicines 33 Regulatory affairs 38 Anthroposophical medicine 38 The biochemic tissue salts 40 Self-assessment 40 Further reading 42
4 Prescribing and dispensing homeopathic medicines 43 Availability of homeopathy in the UK 43 Source of a request for a homeopathic medicine 43 Applications of homeopathy 44 Prescribing of homeopathic medicines 44 Dispensing homeopathic medicines 49 Sale of homeopathic medicines OTC 51 Safety issues 51 Evidence 52 Self-assessment 54 Further reading 56 Useful resources 56
5 Introduction to medical herbalism 57 Definition 57 Sources of reference 58 Herbal medicines 58 The presentation of herbal medicines 62 Self-assessment 65 References 67 Further reading 67
6 The practice of medical herbalism 69 Objectives of herbal treatment 69 The herbal practitioner 70 Applications of herbalism 70 When to use herbalism 71 Counselling patients 71 Follow-up 71Safety issues 72 An abbreviated Materia Medica of common remedies 76 An abbreviated Repertory of common conditions 80 Self-assessment 82 References 83 Further reading 83 Useful resources 83
7 Aromatherapy 85 Definition 85 Essential oils 85 Aromatherapy in practice 89 Evidence 93 Repertory 93 Self-assessment 94 Further reading 95 Useful resources 95
8 Flower remedy therapy 97 Definition 97 Types of flower remedies 97 Preparation of flower remedies 98 Bach flower remedy therapy in practice 99 Evidence 101 Self-assessment 101 Further reading 102 Useful resources 102
9 Traditional medicine 103 Definition 103 Traditional medicine in practice 104 Integrating traditional medicine with western medicine 104 Safety 105 Evidence 106 Traditional medicine and the healthcare provider 106 Self-assessment 107 References 108 Further reading 108
10 Traditional Chinese medicine 109 Definition 109 The basic principles of TCM 109 Practice of TCM 113 Evidence 114 Acupuncture 114 Definition 115 Practice of acupuncture 115 Evidence 117 Safety 117 Applications of acupuncture 118 Variants of acupuncture 118 Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) 118 Definition 118 Classification 119 CHM in practice 120 Safety 121 Evidence 122 Examples of Chinese herbs used in the UK 122 Other elements of TCM 123 Chinese massage 123 Dietary therapy 124 Qigong 124 Tai ji quan (tai chi) 124 Traditional Tibetan medicine 125 Self-assessment 125 Further reading 128 Useful resources 128
11 Indian ayurvedic medicine 129 Definition 129 The basic principles of ayurvedic medicine 129 Practice of Ayurveda 131 Safety 133 Evidence 135 Self-assessment 135 Further reading 136
12 Manual therapies 137 Definition 137 Safety 137 Evidence 137 Alexander technique 138 Definition 138 Pratice 138 Bowen technique 138 Definition 138 Practice 138 Chiropractic 139 Definition 139 Practice 139 Massage 139 Definition 139 Practice 140 Osteopathy (osteopathic manipulative medicine, or OMM) 141 Definition 141 Practice 141 Reflexology 142 Definition 142 Practice 142 Rolfing 143 Definition 143 Practice 143 Self-assessment 143
13 Naturopathy and its associated therapies 145 Definition 145 Basic principles of naturopathic practice 145 Practice of naturopathy 146 Evidence 147 Therapies used in naturopathy 148 Chelation therapy 148 Detoxification therapy 148 Hydrotherapy 149 Balneotherapy (spa treatment, mineral baths) 150 Nutritional therapy 151 Nutraceuticals 151 Self-assessment 153 Further reading 154 Useful resources 155
14 Mind and body therapies 157 Art therapy 157 Colour therapy 158 Crystal therapy 158 Dance and movement therapy 159 Humour therapy 160 Hypnotherapy 160 Magnetic therapy 161 Meditation 162 Meditation - transcendental (TM) 162 Music therapy 163 Radionics 163 Reiki 163 Relaxation techniques 164 Spiritual healing and prayer 165 Therapeutic touch 165 Yoga 166 Self-assessment 166 Reference 168 Useful resources 168
15 Diagnostic methods 171 Iridology 171 Kinesiology 172 Self-assessment 173 Reference 174 Useful resources 174 Answers to self-assessment 175 Index 187