Acupuncture
1.5 Contact Hours
The ancient Chinese healing practice of acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to treat many ailments, especially pain. Today, this therapy that addresses disharmony in the body, mind, and spirit is widely practiced throughout China and is used by millions of individuals in the United States and many other countries. This course explores the history of acupuncture, the theories involved in its practice (including yin and yang, qi, the meridian system, and causes of disharmony), the types and benefits of acupuncture, as well as possible complications and contraindications of the therapy and training issues.
Animal-Assisted Therapy
2.0 Contact Hours
Animals have been a part of our lives as long as we have been on the planet. The health benefits of the human-animal bond are far reaching. From guide dogs, to watching fish in an aquarium, to swimming with dolphins, animals provide us with companionship, assistance, exercise, a sense of calmness, sensory stimulation, and a level of acceptance that is often difficult to find from any other source.
Aromatherapy: The Healing Power Of Scent
2.5 Contact Hours
Aromatherapy is a complementary and alternative therapy that uses essential oils to promote both physical and psychological health. It is often used in conjunction with massage, meditation, and other therapies to achieve healing.
Aromatherapy has gained in popularity in recent years, and clinical aromatherapy (the use of specific essential oils for the prevention and treatment of health conditions) is being incorporated into treatment plans by naturopathic physicians, medical doctors, registered nurses, licensed massage therapists, and licensed acupuncturists as well as other healthcare providers.
Cultural Competence in Health Care
2.0 Contact Hours
The culturally diverse health care populations in the United States provide healthcare professionals with tremendous opportunities to bridge cultural gaps, incorporate new treatments and disease prevention strategies into their practices, and learn about different cultural values and cultural belief systems.
Ethical Issues in Complementary and Alternative Medicine
1.5 Contact Hours
There has been a dramatic rise in the use and acceptance of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies in the United States. However, there are ethical issues that remain unresolved surrounding provider oversight, inconsistent legislative mandates regarding definitions about standards of care and scope of practice, liability issues for providers and organizations, and lack of knowledge about CAM therapies.
Legal Issues in Complementary and Alternative Medicine
2.5 Contact Hours
Patient use and acceptance of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies in the United States is increasing. However, many legal issues remain unresolved surrounding provider oversight, inconsistent legislative mandates regarding definitions about standards of care and scope of practice, liability issues for providers and organizations, and lack of knowledge about CAM therapies.
Manual Bodywork Healing Therapies
2.0 Contact Hours
Touch is one of the most primal needs of any human being. Manual bodywork healing therapies address the need for human touch, enhance health, and heal the body, mind, and spirit. Health care is evolving and integrating the worlds of alternative and allopathic practitioners, and these therapies are being integrated along with conventional health care in hospitals, nursing homes, hospice centers, and other healthcare facilities.This course describes somatic and musculoskeletal therapies (therapeutic massage, including Swedish massage, rhythmical massage, sports massage, hot stone massage, neuromuscular massage therapy, and Aston patterning); Eastern, meridian-based, and point therapies (acupressure, shiatsu, Jin Shin Jyutsu, and reflexology); energy-based therapies (Therapeutic Touch ®, Reiki, and Healing Touch); emotional bodywork (Rolfing and Hellerwork); and manipulative therapies (osteopathy and craniosacral therapy).
Natural Products: Nutraceuticals, Probiotics, Herbs, and Botanicals
2.0 Contact Hours
Our diet has a profound impact on our health and well-being, yet many of us are not aware of where our food originates from and even fewer of us are aware of exactly what is in these foods. Many individuals eat foods sprayed by numerous pesticides, grown in depleted soil, "enhanced" with hormones and antibiotics, or obtained from countries thousands of miles away from our home. How can we change our eating habits and become more conscious of what we eat, why we eat it, and how it is prepared? How can we use that information and select healthy "natural products" designed to support our diet and support our health?
Naturopathy: A Natural System of Healing
1.5 Contact Hours
Naturopathic medicine has a long, complex history. Considered a way of life and a system of healing encompassing many different modalities, naturopathy is experiencing a resurgence today as a result of the dissatisfaction many Americans feel about conventional medicine and the growing interest and respect for alternative and complementary methods of healing.
The Chakra System
2.0 Contact Hours
Observed, described, and attended to by yogis for thousands of years, the chakra system serves as an integral part of healing in several spiritual traditions. Recently, interest in this ancient practice has exploded among healthcare professionals and the general population, rising with the growing appeal of integrative and alternative medicine.
Traditional Healing Systems
2.0 Contact Hours
Traditional medicine has a rich and extensive history dating back thousands of years. Used by the majority of the world's population, traditional healing systems include a diverse collection of philosophies, practices, spiritual and manual therapies, incorporating plant, animal, and/or mineral-based medicines. Most often used by indigenous persons determined to preserve, develop, and transmit their knowledge to future generations, traditional medicine is increasingly popular due to its accessibility and affordability, its holistic focus, and its emphasis on community and cultural values.
Understanding Chiropractic Care
1.0 Contact Hours
Chiropractic is often considered a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapy. Chiropractic care commonly uses spinal manipulation therapy as a main treatment modality to address back and neck pain, as well as pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches. The goal is to correct alignment problems, ease pain, and support the body's natural ability to heal itself.
Yoga: An Integrative Practice for Life
1.5 Contact Hours
The practice of yoga is becoming increasingly popular as a way to relieve stress, live in harmony with nature, and enhance well-being of the mind and body. One reason for its growing popularity is that more people are open to it and are using holistic approaches to manage their pressure-filled, fast-paced lives. Yoga provides an integrative, healthy way to connect mind, body, and spirit, resulting in improved physical, mental, and emotional health.