Introduction:

The term nursing immediately conjures up romantic images of Florence Nightingale, who is remembered as the path-breaking founder of nursing and a pioneer who revolutionized hospital sanitation methods during the Crimean war.  What is not known is that Florence Nightingale was also a shrewd statistician who pioneered the collection of medical data and introduced methods in systematic record keeping of patients.

Since Florence Nightingale’s time, nursing has made tremendous strides and has become an allied specialty of hospital medicine and there are many branches in nurses. We have nurses specialized in Operation theatre procedures, we have intensive care nurses; we have nurses well versed in pulmonary medicine and general nurses. In fact nursing is an integral part of Orthodox medicines and one cannot dispense away with nursing personnel anymore.

Over the last few years, many complementary or alternate systems have been integrated into main stream medicine and a new branch of nurses has sprung up and they are called as holistic nurses.

What is so unique about Holistic nurses?

Holistic nurses are specially trained to approach nursing in a medical and psychosocial way.  They are trained to introduce non-traditional and multidisciplinary nursing practice modalities into mainstream nursing.  Holistic nursing programs add training in compassion, self-care, massage, life style counseling, acupuncture, acupressure, healing or therapeutic touch, intuition, spirituality, and the knowledge of herbs and Ayurveda into their care of the patient.  In short they are trained to treat the patient as a whole – MIND, BODY AND SOUL.

Holistic nursing offers an opening to focus on wellness, healing and illness prevention from a more spiritual and naturopathic perspective.

To summarize, holistic nursing uses an all inclusive approach which blends time-honored orthodox western nursing theory and practice with the principles and practices of Holistic health care to help patients attain the best possible health.

Do nurses have to be specially trained to become holistic nurses?

The answer is yes There are certificate courses available in America, Canada and many western countries and a Certification in Holistic Nursing offered by AHNA is well sought after.  But much of holistic nursing is intuitive. Holistic nurses learn all the time and it is better if they have an empathic demeanor and a spiritual bent of mind.  However, in India, most holistic wellness clinics, which mostly use Ayurvedic therapies, used home trained nurses, who are not trained in special schools of nursing. Very often generations of these untrained nurses have a long family lineage in the art and therapeutics of Ayurvedic practices.

Conclusion:

Medicine has turned a full circle with the advent of newer stress related diseases, with the explosion of the number of cases of AIDS, with the ever increasing spectrum of Diabetes Mellitus and Coronary vascular diseases. Nursing cannot remain impersonal anymore. More and more medical specialists are integrating mainstream medicine with complementary systems to combat newer diseases. It is just natural that orthodox nursing joins hands with Holistic nursing to take patient care to more spiritual levels.

Introduction:

It’s not uncommon to get indigestion while trying different foods when travelling or due to overeating. . Listed below are some home remedies which. You might want to try out during a bout of indigestion.

Some useful home remedies:

Lotus Seeds – In Vietnam, lotus seeds are used to help lower blood pressure, fight infection and to calm the stomach from nausea and indigestion. They eat them roasted or in a tea.

Ajain – Also known as ajowan caraway or carom. In India, they take lemon juice, a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of ajain and drink it warm.

Ginger- Fresh ginger is added to boiling water and then made into a tea with honey and lemon

Fennel Seeds- All over the world fennel seeds help to get rid of stomach aches. They add a teaspoon of it to a cup of hot water. They then strain it to remove the seeds and sip the liquid. It’s best to sip the liquid slowly.

Cayenne Pepper- This spice has an anti-inflammatory effect and relieves stomach pain. It can be added to whatever you want including food or liquids. It should be used sparingly in persons who are sensitive to spice.

Coriander Seeds- Coriander seeds are very useful to tackle stomach discomfort.                 It stimulates the body to produce a digestive enzyme that helps food digest faster in the stomach. About a teaspoon of coriander seeds are grounded into a power and added to a cup of boiling water to drink as a tea.

Peppermint Tea- Peppermint tea is useful when you are dealing with some sort of stomach discomfort. Peppermint tea is known in many parts of the world for its calming qualities.

Nutmeg- This spice is used to help stomach pain. It also has a lot of antibacterial properties and can help fight infections. Many add it to boiling water and then drink it.

White rice & lemon –Steam white rice and lemon and eat throughout the day to settle an upset stomach.

Conclusion:

Stomach indigestion is a very common problem and are best tackled with home remedies and simple medications rather than taking expensive allopathic medication.

Tremendous strides have been made in Genetics recently.  There has been an explosion of information regarding the D.N.A. & R.N.A. (DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID AND RIBONUCLEIC ACID).  Cloning experiments have conclusively proved that all the necessary information required for the creation of the human body is stored in the Genes.  Now experiments are being done to complete the Genome mapping of the human body and a day is not far away when gene therapy will cure cancers, diabetes, collagen disorders and will identify whether an unborn fetus is likely to be a genius or an idiot and what disease it is likely to suffer from in the future. It will also be possible for creating a human race with perfect bodies.  Genetics has recognized that it is a faulty gene that causes cancers and several incurable crippling diseases and fatal diseases.

There have also been tremendous strides in HOLISITIC MEDICINE.  More and more people are taking recourse to Alternative Medicine; like Yoga, Meditation, Relaxation techniques, making diet and life style changes and there is conclusive evidence that these therapies work and scores of patients have had miraculous remissions from cancers and other serious diseases.  Of course, this makes Allopaths very uneasy, and the term spontaneous remission is commonly used to explain these so called ‘miraculous cures’.

Disease according to Holistic Medicine is an unnatural condition of the body, because Holism believes that the body was created by nature to experience bliss and not pain or suffering.  Holistic experts believe that negative emotions and living a life not in tune with nature is the main cause of disease.

The purpose of this human life is to attain liberation and bliss.  To that end both Genetics and Holistic Medicine pursue the same goal.  Although, there are no clear cut answers yet, it is clear that Holistic Medicine somehow corrects the faulty genes and compels the DNA-RNA to make the necessary changes to affect a cure. Time has come for Holistic Medicine to be taken more seriously and be integrated with Orthodox medicine so that it can be researched and practiced objectively.

Introduction:

Natural remedies are often easy to use, effective, and affordable — and they have few known side effects. You can probably find some of them in your kitchen cupboard right now.

Headache

Remedy: Magnesium Glycinate

Magnesium glycinate is remarkably effective for headaches. It’s a combination of magnesium and glycine, an amino acid that binds to the mineral and carries it to your cells.

Low blood levels of magnesium have been linked to headaches and migraines. “Magnesium is calming for the nervous system and easily tolerated. It also supports serotonin production, a neurotransmitter involved in the onset of migraines.

Nausea and Sickness

Remedy: Ginger

Thousands of years ago, Chinese sailors chewed gingerroot to relieve their seasickness

Ginger naturally increases tone and motility in the GI tract, helping digestion — unlike the conventional bismuth-subsalicylate antacid, which mainly coats the stomach for temporary relief.

Next time you’re nauseated, try sipping ginger tea, or try grating some fresh ginger into a green smoothie.

Acid Reflux

Remedy: Apple-Cider Vinegar and Digestive Bitters

Sometimes it seems there’s little apple-cider vinegar cannot do. Recent studies suggest it can help regulate blood sugar and build good gut bacteria. It is recommended as an effective solution for heartburn, along with another age-old remedy: digestive bitters.

Digestive bitters and apple-cider vinegar help stimulate digestive juices in the gut, making the digestive system function more efficiently, Diet and gut health are often at the root of heartburn, so correcting the gut and removing foods that cause inflammation and heartburn is usually the best way to heal.

Constipation

Remedy: Magnesium Citrate

The causes of chronic constipation are many, and it’s important to address the root issues — dehydration, food intolerances, lack of dietary fibre, irregular eating and sleeping patterns, and sedentary behaviours.

A combination of magnesium and citric acid, the supplement relaxes your intestines and pulls water into them. “This particular form of magnesium is stimulating on the bowels.

Sore Muscles

Remedy: Arnica

The anti-inflammatory properties of this meadow flower have been easing aches and pains since the middle Ages. Arnica is still used widely in Germany, where researchers have shown it to be an effective remedy for muscle aches, sprains, and joint pain and swelling. Studies in the United States have found it as reliable as NSAIDs at relieving pain from osteoarthritis in the hands.

Arnica gels and creams are considered safe; a mild allergic rash is the only potential side effect. The remedy is also available in the form of sublingual homeopathic pills.

Meanwhile, if you’re often achy, stretching and hydration may be the answer, says Lester. “Our bodies will often course-correct when we get back to the basics, which are highly underrated.”

Joint Pain

Remedy: Curcumin

Turmeric has been used in curries as well as traditional Indian and Chinese medicine for centuries. Curcumin, the twisty root’s yellow phyto-chemical, has emerged as a popular remedy in recent years after studies revealed its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial qualities.

Curcumin eases joint pain by inhibiting the body’s inflammatory-response mediators.

Those who suffer chronic joint pain may find substantial relief by avoiding gluten, dairy, and sugar, as well as making other dietary adjustments. Essential fatty acids can also help.

Earache

Remedy: Garlic Mullein Herbal Eardrops

A paediatric study found that natural eardrops containing the herb mullein are just as effective as anaesthetic drops for reducing pain. To help prevent chronic earaches, avoid dairy, gluten, and sugar. Monitor vitamin-D levels, fatty-acid deficiencies, and stress levels — and be sure to keep some garlic mullein drops on hand.

Sleeplessness

Remedy: Lavender oil

You might associate the smell of this herb with a fragrant backyard garden, but the anxiety and insomnia-relieving effects of lavender essential oil are potent and well-documented. Research has found that it can help induce sleep and help people sleep more deeply.

Bed (while the bulb is still cool), or get an essential-oil diffuser for your bedroom.

You are coming down with an infection

Remedy: Fluids

One of the best ways to chase bugs away is drinking fluids, especially warm ones. Consuming adequate fluids supports all your body’s functions, including the immune system.

In cold weather, we’re more susceptible to dehydration — there are fewer cues to drink than in hot summer weather — and this makes us even more vulnerable to illness. It is good to take soups and broths with fresh vegetables when you begin to feel sick. Herbal teas with immunity-boosting ingredients such as ginger and Echinacea are excellent o prevent feeling run down.

Body aches

Remedy: Sleep

A good long snooze is the best medicine for nearly everything. Sleep restores and heals the body… Without adequate sleep, optimal immune function is next to impossible…  A lack of sleep makes any pain worse, so when body aches set in, hit the hay early.

Introduction:

Your neck holds up your head, which weighs 12 pounds on average, and think of all the movements it must make.  The neck, including the cervical spine, is vulnerable to injury.

The most common causes of neck pain are:

• Muscle strain or tension.
• Whiplash. This injury commonly associated with vehicular accidents. It occurs when the neck jerks back and forth violently and ligaments holding tiny neck bones together get overly stretched. Other traumatic injuries can cause fractures and even paralysis.
• Pinched nerve or slipped disk. This neck pain involves the nerves, which may be “pinched” or pressed by a disk bulging between two vertebrae or a muscle spasm. Besides pain, you may feel numbness or weakness in your upper extremities.
• Osteoarthritis. This type of arthritis is associated with aging and can affect your spine. Other age-related ailments that can cause neck pain include spinal stenosis (a narrowing of the bony canal containing the spinal cord and its nerves) and cervical disk degeneration.
• Rheumatoid arthritis. This type of arthritis can ruin joints in the neck and cause pain, stiffness, and aching.

Alternative Medicine for Neck Pain:

Chiropractic

 Chiropractors do not prescribe medication or perform surgery. Chiropractors use various approaches but generally perform adjustments to align the spine. A practitioner adjusts the patient’s neck with his hands to improve mobility, restore range of motion, and sometimes, increase muscle movement. Besides being able to turn and tilt their heads better, patients generally notice less pain, soreness, and stiffness.

Side effects include headaches, fatigue, and pain in the treated area.

Massage

A very effective hands-on approach to neck pain is massage therapy.  Massage therapy, which usually lasts 30 to 60 minutes per session, works by relaxing the soft tissues and increasing blood flow and oxygen to the muscles. Popular types of massage include:

• Shiatsu (rhythmic massage to get “qi,” or energy, flowing)
• Deep tissue (deep pressure on muscle layers)
• Trigger point or pressure point (focuses on specific knots in the muscles)
• Swedish (kneading the muscles and adjusting the joints)

Acupuncture

The most studied technique of acupuncture, an ancient Asian practice, involves inserting thin needles, either manually or electrically manipulated, into the skin. Several studies have shown that acupuncture is helpful for those with chronic neck pain, providing moderate improvements in levels of pain.

Biofeedback and Hypnosis

Biofeedback and hypnosis are types of alternative medicine called mind-body medicine. Both are effective in controlling neck pain.

• Biofeedback uses visual or auditory cues to help the patient relax and loosen up muscles.
• Hypnosis involves entering a state of altered consciousness. Learning self-hypnosis may allow patients to temporarily forget about their pain and improve sleep.

Conclusion:

There are many solutions to treating chronic neck pain and in some ways alternative medicine offers a gentle and effective solution to this vexing problem.