Syllabus

Course:HW499:Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Department: Health
Teacher: Chelsea Long
Class schedule: 3 sessions/9-10:30am/Monday, Wednesday, and Friday

Course Overview: This course will provide an overview of techniques and

information that supports the growth and use of Complementary and Alternative
medicine. The topic of interest that will be discussed in this class will be yoga,
acupuncture, and massage therapy. Presentations will be presented in syllabus, handouts,
and lecture notes form to help further the knowledge and attention of the local college
student community. The history and techniques will be discussed in great detail to fully
understand the benefits and importance of Complementary and Alternative medicine.

General Course Outline: Upon the completion of this course students should be
able to identify and understand the following:
Monday Day 1Topic - Yoga
-History
-Techniques
-Poses
-Benefits
-Handout
-Video demonstration

Wednesday Day 2 Topic - Acupuncture

-History
-Techniques
-Benefits
-Handout
-Read required articles

Friday Day 3 Topic - Massage Therapy

-History
-Techniques
-Benefits
-Handout
-Video demonstrate

Students Learning Outcomes-Understand three types of CAM practice.

-Discuss the history, benefits, and effectiveness for each CAM practice.
-Describe the mind-body connection of each practice that can promote optimal health.
-Demonstrate an understanding and apply CAM through exercises and assignments.

Lecture Notes Session 1 Yoga

Lesson Summary- Yoga therapy is type of therapy that uses yoga poses, breathing
techniques and guided imagery to improve both mental and physical health. The holistic
focus incorporated the integration of mind, body, and spirit. Yoga has became very
popular in the United States. Many people are using this practice as a way to challenge
the body and relieve unwanted stress by focusing mostly on the body and less on daily
problems. There are many styles of yoga including physical postures, breathing
techniques, and meditation or relaxation.
Lesson Content- What can I benefit from incorporating yoga into my daily routine?
Yoga can help with managing pain and depression. Many adults suffer from chronic lowback pain as a result of an injury, arthritis, or from heavy lifting. Having these issues can
increase disability which can eventually increase psychological issues such as anxiety and
depression, which can reduce the overall quality of life. Evidence has been shown that
complementary therapies such as yoga supports therapeutic effects.
History- Yoga therapy is rooted from the ancient practice of yoga, which originated
thousands of years ago in India (GoodTherapy, 2016). It made its way to the United
States in the late 1800s, but emerged in a appropriate manner in the 1980s as as study
done by Dr. Dean Ornish. This study included how implementing a healthy lifestyle
program could reverse heart disease. The results was supported and the program was then
approved for insurance coverage in 1990 and marked the beginning of medical fields
accepting yoga as a treatment option. (GoodTherapy, 2016)
Health Benefits- A big increase in energy levels have been shown in yoga programs. By
the using yoga as a way of treatment for chronic low-back pain people have increased
there strength and flexibility. There has been a big decrease in health care costs and
increases the quality of life for adults by the use of yoga therapy. Yoga has also been
shown to be helpful for treating a variety of health problems including diabetes, mental
health issues, cancer, and musculoskeletal strength and flexibility (Kaplan, 2016).
Components of Therapy SessionsBreathing Exercises (Prayanama)
Physical Postures (Asana)
Meditation
Guided Imagery
Homework(GoodTherapy, 2016)
Watch Video Demonstration Yoga for Beginners(15 minutes)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_SE2gQwXoo

References:

" KAPLAN UNIVERSITY: Yoga and the Management of Chronic Back Pain. N.p., n.d.
Web. 07 Aug. 2016. <http://www.healthandwellness.kaplan.edu/articles/yoga/Yoga
%20and%20the%20Management%20of%20Chronic%20Back%20Pain.html#cont>.
Psychetruth. "Yoga For Complete Beginners - Relaxation & Flexibility Stretches 15
Minute Yoga Workout." YouTube. YouTube, 27 Apr. 2014. Web. 07 Aug. 2016.
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_SE2gQwXoo>.
"Yoga Therapy." Yoga Therapy. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Aug. 2016.
<http://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/yoga-therapy>.

Lecture Notes Session 2 Acupuncture

Lesson Summary: This lesson helps you understand the importance that acupuncture has
on the mind and body. A common question that may be present is what exactly is
acupuncture and how does it work? Certain facts and information will explain the process
and benefits.
Lesson Content: Why should I consider Acupuncture? The results from many studies
have shown that acupuncture can help ease types of pain that are often chronic such as
low-back pain, neck pain, and knee pain. It can also help with reducing constant tension
headaches and prevent migraine headaches. Acupuncture is a technique that practitioners
use to stimulate certain points on the body by inserting needles through the skin. It is one
of many practices that is used in traditional Chinese medicine. (NCCIH, 2016)
History: Acupuncture is one of the oldest, and most common medical procedures used. It
originated in China more than 2,000 years ago, acupuncture became well know in the
United States in 1971 when a reporter James Reston from New York Times wrote about
his experience when doctors in Beijing, China, used needles to ease his abdominal pain
after surgery. Studies have been shown that acupuncture is beneficial on treating many
health conditions. (NCCAM, 2016)
Health Benefits: Known to stimulate the central nervous system that release chemicals
into the brain, spinal cord, and muscles. The chemicals can change the pain level or
release other chemicals like hormones, that helps the bodys self- regulating systems. The
overall biochemical that occur may stimulate the bodys natural healing abilities that
supports physical and emotional well-being. (NCCAM, 2016)
Acupuncture Theories: Traditional Chinese medicine theorizes that there are more than
2,000 acupuncture points on the body that connects with 12 main and 8 secondary
pathways, know as meridians. Chinese practitioners believe that these meridians conduct
energy (qi) between that body and internal organs. Qi regulates spiritual, emotional,
mental, and physical balance (NCCAM, 2016). Qi is influenced by opposing forces of
yin and yang. (good and bad) According to traditional Chinese medicine when yin and
yang are at balance this is when they work together with the natural flow of qi that helps
the body achieve and maintain optimal health. Acupuncture has been known to balance
yin and yang by keeping the normal flow of energy unblocked, and restores health to the
mind and body. (NCCAM, 2016)

References:

"NCCAM Acupuncture Information." And Resources Package. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Aug.
2016. <http://www.medicalacupuncture.org/For-Patients/Articles-By-Physicians-AboutAcupuncture/NCCAM-Acupuncture-Information>.
"NCCIH." NCCIH. N.p., 01 Jan. 2008. Web. 07 Aug. 2016.
<https://nccih.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/introduction#hed2>.

Lecture Notes Session 3 Massage Therapy

Lesson Summary: This lesson provide this different forms and techniques of massage

therapy that has been used more many years. Massage therapy is well known in the
United Stated and is often found in clinical and professional settings. The use of rubbing
and manipulation are key in the process of relieving overall stress and tension of the
body.
Lesson content: Massage therapy is a great practice that uses many different techniques.
Therapists press, rub, and manipulate the muscles and soft tissues in the body to help ease
tension or pain. Deep tissue massage is the most common and popular form of massage
therapy.
History: Massage is one of the oldest forms of healing arts. Chinese records have dated it
back 3,000 years ago in documents its use; the ancient Hindus, Persians and Egyptians
used forms of massage for aliments, and papers have been wrote by Hippocrates that
recommend the use of rubbing and friction for joint and circulation issues.
(MassageTherapy, 2016)
Benefits: Massage therapy has been accepted as apart of rehabilitation programs, and has
also been proven to be beneficial for a variety of chronic conditions, including low-back
pain, arthritis, depression, high blood pressure, diabetes, immunity suppression, and
many more The use of massage therapy can relieve stress and tension of daily life that
could lead to disease and illness. (MassageTherapy, 2016)
Different types of techniques:
Massage- (soft tissue manipulation techniques intended to reduce stress and fatigues
while improving overall circulation)
Bodywork- (various forms of touch therapies that use manipulation, movement, and repatterning to affect the structural changes to the body)
Somatic- (body-mind or whole-body approach as distinguished from physiology or
environmental perspective) (MassageTherapy, 2016)
Watch Video Demonstration Basic Massage Therapy Techniques (10 minutes):
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcCVyedkoJU>.

References:
"Learn More About Massage." Massage Therapy: Everybody Deserves a Massage. N.p.,

n.d. Web. 07 Aug. 2016. <http://www.massagetherapy.com/learnmore/>

"Benefits of Chair Massage, Basic How To Massage Therapy Techniques for Shoulders &
Back." YouTube. YouTube, 30 May 2014. Web. 07 Aug. 2016.
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcCVyedkoJU>.

Lesson 1 Handout Yoga

"Yoga Poses for Beginners." Super Skinny Me. N.p., 02 Dec. 2011. Web. 07 Aug. 2016.
<http://www.superskinnyme.com/yoga-poses-for-beginners.html>.

Lesson 2 Handout Acupunture

Required articles to read:

http://www.medicalacupuncture.org/For-Patients/Articles-By-Physicians-AboutAcupuncture/NCCAM-Acupuncture-Information
http://www.medicalacupuncture.org/For-Patients/Articles-By-Physicians-About-Acupuncture/DoctorWhats-This-Acupuncture-All-About
http://www.medicinenet.com/acupuncture/article.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/acupuncture/basics/definition/prc-20020778

Lesson 3 Handout Massage Therapy

"Popular Techniques in Massage Therapy | Dorsey Schools." Dorsey Schools. N.p., 17

Mar. 2015. Web. 07 Aug. 2016. <http://dorsey.edu/blog/popular-techniques-in-massagetherapy-today/>.