by rnstar43

I have been reading past posts concerning the validity of some of the modalities related to holistic nursing. Preventative medicine is quickly becoming mainstream given recent results and patient/client outcomes. Healing touch, reiki, reflexology, aromatherapy are all alternatives to maintain health balance. Healing touch has already proven itself to be effective for pain control. I applaud the nurse who is concerned about their patient's pain and how to help them control it. What I do question are nurses who are negligent, practice inappropriately, or make judgements daily based on their own personal experience and desired outcome. Prevention and wellness has gotten the attention of insurance companies, who are now giving employers incentives for smoking cessation programs, exercise memberships, etc. The employers and the insurance companies now realize everyone benefits from a healthy happy employee[less call ins, better morales, less insurance claims]. I am choosing a career after 15 yrs. as an O.R. R.N. , for holistic nursing. It is my hope that nurses can collectively explore the alternatives for patients other than traditional medicines, surgeries and treatments. It's time to teach people to maintain wellness before they reach imbalance with illness. It is also my hope that we collectively will stop these witchhunts, being hypercritical of nurses choosing different paths that make us uncomfortable and that we are unfamiliar with. I have become more frightened of a nurse's indifference towards their impact on a patient, than a concerned nurse who may explore alternative methods that I may not be familiar with or even know of at all.

Re: Holistic/Preventative Nursing

Originally Posted by rnstar43

It is my hope that nurses can collectively explore the alternatives for patients other than traditional medicines, surgeries and treatments.

It's time to teach people to maintain wellness before they reach imbalance with illness.

In my small way, that is also what I strive for.


I hope we get to hear how you are doing and what you are working on.

Re: Holistic/Preventative Nursing

The use of alternative techniques in a preventive role is highly appropriat. I have a problem with their use in a treatment role for an existing and progressing condition instead of evidence based therapies.

Re: Holistic/Preventative Nursing

Originally Posted by CharlieRN

The use of alternative techniques in a preventive role is highly appropriat. I have a problem with their use in a treatment role for an existing and progressing condition instead of evidence based therapies.

No one has said instead of; we are Nurses, and the assumption is that we are not ignoring the Medical Model.

Re: Holistic/Preventative Nursing

I can't honestly recall where there is any information stating CAM as a treatment modality for acute, chronic disease. Read the current info available. I think we are all in agreement concerning alternative medicine and it's role in personal health, wellness. we do not diagnose disease, treat disease,prescribe, or perform invasive procedures. Most health related events do not occur as single incidents, but as a result of unwellness. Part of alternative medicine is to teach people to approach their health and patterns of taking care of themselves differently. Did you not see the world news last night, concerning the latest research released about patients recieving spinal fusions who could have been treated and relieved of chronic back pain with physical therapy [aggressive, of course, but yet consistent] The studies showing most spinal fusions do not relieve the pain, but that long term physical treatment is more successful in many instances. The human body was not designed to maintain wellness without our personal attention to ourselves, it is not a perfect machine. We do not 'band-aid' the problem like traditional medicine has done, but we encourage each person to follow a better path.

Re: Holistic/Preventative Nursing

I work on med-surg floor and as a Certified Healing Touch Practioner, I use my training to help with pain control and anxiety. This therapy does not take the place of traditional treatment, but it enhances it. Many of our doctors recognize the benefit and are writing orders so that a treatment is given. The patients like it and for the most part require less pain medication.