Treatments used in addition to
conventional health care regimens
recommended by the person’s
health care provider

Complementary therapies

May include the same interventions
as complementary therapy, but
frequently become the primary
treatment modality that replaces
traditional or conventional medicine

alternative therapies

Addresses and treats
the mind-body-spirit of
the patient

holistic nursing

many current medicines have their
origins in herbs

herbal therapy

It is based on holistic belief in the body’s ability to
take care of itself, other treatments include hot or cold therapy

chiropractic therapy

A method of stimulating
certain points on the
body by the insertion of
special needles to modify
the perception of pain,
normalize physiologic
functions, or treat/prevent
disease.. migraine/headaches

acupuncture

This involves the use of gentle
pressure at certain points on the
body, reduces tension

acupressure

Use of human
energy field to
interact with
another’s energy
field

energy field therapy

No physical
manipulation of
the body,
Assessment
of energy
field

assessment of energy field

Massage performed by trained
professionals manipulates the soft tissues
of the body and assists with healing, conducted in a warm, relaxing
atmosphere, contraindicated for acute back
pain, phlebitis, thrombosis, and infectious
skin diseases

therapeutic massage

Pure essential oils produced from plants
are used to provide health benefits, Different scents are thought to evoke different responses in the body

aromatherapy

based on the
premise that it is possible to
exert an effect on the entire
body by applying pressure to
specific areas on the feet,
hands, and ears

reflexology

Conscious mind is used to create mental images to evoke physical changes in the body, creates a sense of improved well-being, and enhance self-awareness, Has the ability to provoke significant psycho-physiological response

imagery

Act or progress of arousal reduction, Characterized by decreased heart rate and respiratory rate, blood pressure, and oxygen consumption and increased alpha-
wave brain activity and peripheral skin temperature

relaxation therapy

Ability to identify, differentiate, keep
attention on, and return attention to
simple stimuli for an extended period

focusing

Ability to stop unnecessary goal-directed
and analytic activity

passivity

Ability to tolerate and accept experiences
that are sometimes uncertain, unfamiliar,
or paradoxica

receptivity

Involves use of trained animals to
enhance an individual's physical,
emotional, and social well-being

animal assisted therapy

healing system of therapy and
practice, Regular practice can tone the muscles that
balance all parts of the body, including
internal organs, heart, lungs, glands, and
nerves, Flexibility of the spine is increased, and
deep relaxation and reduction of stress are
promoted

yoga

Fusion of martial arts with Daoist
philosophical concepts, traditional Chinese
medicine, and qigong theory/practice,

T’ai Chi/Taiji

Noninvasive, Learn control of the body to
manage certain conditions, Responses conveyed to patient
through auditory, visual, physical,
or physiologic signals

biofeedback