A Look at How Complementary Therapies Work in Regard to The Normal Treatments

P4 - Explain the role of complementary therapies in relation to orthodox treatments. M2 - compare the role of two complementary therapies with those of more orthodox treatments

Complementary therapies are often used alongside orthodox medical treatments. Orthodox treatment is the use of drugs and operations to cure illness.The role of complementary therapies is to improve the health and wellbeing of an individual through taking a holistic approach to care. This means treating the whole person, taking into account mental and social factors, rather than just the symptoms of a specific disease. Many complementary therapies are not scientifically proven to work in the way that medicine is often proven to work e.g. Tablets ( they are trialled before medical professionals deem that their suitable to treat an illness ) However, many people believe that complementary therapies work. This would suggest that there is some placebo effect involved in using complementary therapies. Complementary therapies are used to treat symptoms of more chronic conditions. e.g. A person who has cancer may become stressed, the therapy will work by relaxing and calming the person in order to reduce their stress. Whereas the orthodox treatment will work by controlling the condition, in this example the orthodox treatment may be radiotherapy, chemotherapy or other cancer drugs.

Cells and tissue - healthy to cancerous

Normal cells may become cancer cells. Before cancer cells form in tissues of the body, the cells go through abnormal changes called hyperplasia and dysplasia. Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells in an organ or tissue that appear normal under a microscope. Dysplasia is where the cells look abnormal under a microscope but are not cancer. Hyperplasia and dysplasia may or may not become cancer.

Musculoskeletal disorders are injuries or pain in the body's joints, ligaments, muscles, nerves, tendons, and structures that support limbs, neck and back. Musculoskeletal disorders are degenerative diseases, meaning that the condition will continue to decline, and inflammatory conditions that cause pain and impair normal activities. A common Musculoskeletal condition is arthritis, according to NHS Choices, (2015) there are 10 million people in the UK who have arthritis. There are two types of arthritis these are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. NHS Choices, (2015) say that osteoarthritis is the most common it affects 8 million people living in the UK. Osteoarthritis often develops in adults who are in their late 40s or older. It is also more common in women and individuals with a family history of the condition. Although, it can occur at any age as a result of an injury or it can be associated with other joint-related conditions.Osteoarthritis starts by affects the smooth cartilage lining of the joint. It makes movement more difficult than usual, causing pain and stiffness. Once the cartilage lining starts to roughen and thin out, the tendons and ligaments have to work harder. This can cause swelling and the formation of bony spurs, called osteophytes. Severe loss of cartilage can lead to bone rubbing on bone, which changes the shape of the joint, forcing the bones out of their normal position. The most commonly affected joints are those in the: hands, spine, knees and the hips. Below is a diagram which compares the anatomy of a healthy human hand to a hand affected by osteoarthritis.

Orthopaedic Research UK, (2012) say that to diagnose arthritis a physical examination of the hand and possibly other joints in the body will need to be done. The doctor will need to see how the motion of each joint has been affected. X-rays are taken to see how much the joint has changed. These tests can help determine how bad the degenerative damage from the arthritis has become. The X-rays also help the doctor estimate how much articular cartilage (smooth, white tissue that covers the ends of bones where they come together to form joints) is still on the surface of the joints. Refer to image above.

Arthritis can not be cured. However, there are medications that can be prescribed to slow the condition. If the condition becomes extremely severe there are a number of surgical procedures that may be performed in order to manage the condition better. These procedures include: arthroplasty (joint replacement), arthrodesis (joint fusion) and osteotomy (where a bone is cut and re-aligned).

NHS Choices, (2015)

Acupuncture is a complementary therapy that is commonly used among individuals who suffer from arthritis. Arthritis.Org, (2014) say that there is research that suggests the treatment can stimulate nerves under the skin and in muscle tissue. The use of acupuncture is to relieve the pain that is a symptom of arthritis. Individuals may not receive acupuncture if they have bleeding disorders such as haemophilia or those who take anticoagulants which prevent blood clotting.

Alexander technique is another type of complementary therapy that can be used to relieve symptoms of pain in someone who suffers from osteoarthritis. The alexander technique focuses on the relationship between the head, neck and spine as well as the rest of the body. Alexander technique will look at how the individual moves, the aim is to get rid of any bad habits that may cause illness to a person. The technique should help the individual have a better quality of life. The technique is currently being researched to find out if there is any scientific evidence of it being successful.

NHS Choices, (2015)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is an example of a metabolic condition. The symptoms of IBS include pain and cramps in the stomach, changes in bowel habits such as constipation or diarrhea, bloating or swelling of the stomach and also excessive wind. The symptoms of IBS will tend to flare up every so often - some people experience symptoms after eating or drinking a certain food

NHS Choices, (2014)

The cause of IBS is not known. However, many health professionals would suggest that it may be caused by inflammation, infection or by diet. Orthodox treatments include laxatives which will help the individual go to the toilet, antispasmodics which help to reduce inflammation and also anti depressants can help stomach pain.

Some people may turn to complementary therapies in order to help relieve the symptoms associated with the condition. Acupuncture is a complementary therapy that is suggested to help the body relax in order to help with digestion. This therapy also works by relieving symptoms of stress and depression. It is suggested that it increases the production of serotonin and endorphins (Han, 2004).

Hypnotherapy is another type of therapy that is widely used among individuals who have irritable bowel syndrome. The therapy works by helping the patient relax, allowing them to focus and visualise how they would like to improve their health and wellbeing. There is not much scientific evidence that proves hypnotherapy actually works.

Hypnotherapists.Org.Uk, (2015)

Psychological conditions are mental disorders, also called mental illness or psychiatric disorder. They are mental or behavioural patterns that causes either suffering or an impaired ability to function in ordinary life (disability). It is not a developmental or social norm.Clinical depression is a psychological condition where an individual’s mood becomes affected. It is vitally important to recognise that individuals living with depression will experience it in their own way, depression does not affect everyone in the same way. There is no single cause for depression. However, research suggests that depression can be genetic, brought on by stressful events, giving birth, due to loneliness or other reasons such as substance misuse. NHS Choices, (2016) say that common symptoms of depression include: feeling hopeless and helpless, sadness, loss of motivation, feeling anxious or worried, suicidal thoughts, unexplained headaches, disturbed sleep, loss of appetite and social symptoms such as not doing well at work, avoiding contact with friends or avoiding hobbies. Depression can often occur gradually so it is difficult for an individual to recognise that they are ill.

Doctors categorise depression as:

Mild - having some impact on daily living.

Moderate - has a significant impact on day to day life.

Severe - makes it almost impossible to get through daily life. Severe depression often brings on psychotic symptoms.

A doctor will usually ask an individual a number of questions about their feelings and how they find life day to day. Depression is hard to diagnose as there are no physical tests and it is not always clear to see. Doctors may often take blood tests to rule out any other medical conditions that may be bringing along these symptoms. Anti depressant tablets are often prescribed in order to balance the chemicals in the human brain. However, it is important to recognise that tablets can work to help the condition in some people. Whereas in others the medication can work against the brain causing further issues.

NHS Choices, (2016)

Meditation is a complementary therapy which is often used alongside orthodox medicines in order to treat symptoms of depression. A study carried out by The Journal of Neuroscience (Drevets & all) revealed depressed people’s “left amygdala” to be in nonstop, hyper-mode. Known as the anxiety, stress, and fear center of the brain. An amygdala which works too hard can create a range of problems, including the initiation of a “fight or flight” response. Meditation will work by focusing the mind allowing an individual to concentrate solely on relaxation.

Hypnosis is another type of therapy that is used with those who have depression. Hypnosis works by targeting the route cause of the depression, focusing on the subconscious mind and the thoughts that the individual has. According to hypnotherapy.org, (2014) the aim of therapy is to improve the individual's self esteem and independence. NHS Choices, (2016) believe that there is not enough evidence of hypnotherapy working for it to be recommended within clinical practices.

Aromatherapy is often used to help relieve the symptom of stress in depression. Aromatherapy may be given through massage, the oils can also be used in a bath, as a scent or through other techniques. The therapy is said to work by stimulating the area of the brain associated with mood, the amygdala. (see diagram below) The therapy is believed by some people to bring calmness and elevate mood. However, although there are many advantages of using the therapy, one major disadvantage is that many people may be allergic to certain ingredients.

One major difference between orthodox and complementary treatments is scientific proof. In order for an orthodox treatment to be used it will have to be trialled and professionals will have to prove that it has improved the health of a person. Also those who practice orthodox medicine will have gone through extensive training to perform their jobs. E.g. Doctors go through years of training before they are able to do their jobs. However, for some complementary therapies professionals do not have to be regulated.

An individual suffering from skin cancer would receive a range of different orthodox treatments from the NHS or their private practice. The doctor and patient will discuss treatment types and select a suitable plan of action. Orthodox treatment for skin cancer may be radiotherapy. This treatment is often used alone, however it can also be used with chemotherapy, to try and cure cancers. Radiotherapy can be given internally or externally. External radiotherapy involves using a machine called a linear accelerator, which focuses high-energy radiation beams onto the area that needs treatment. External beam radiotherapy is painless. External beam radiotherapy involves a number of daily treatments over a many days or weeks. Internal radiotherapy can involve placing a small piece of radioactive material temporarily inside the body near the cancerous cells (known as brachytherapy), or the use of a radioactive liquid that's swallowed or injected. The radiation given out by internal radiotherapy is painless, but the procedure to insert the source can cause discomfort. The high-energy radiation used in radiotherapy permanently damages the DNA of cancer cells, causing them to die. Healthy tissues also suffer temporary cell damage from the radiation, but these cells are usually able to repair the DNA damage and continue growing as normal.

Side effects of radiation often include; sore skin, tiredness and hair loss. The side effects tend to get better over a period of time.

Alongside radiotherapy many other treatments can be given. For example complementary therapies such as aromatherapy can be used in order to relieve symptoms of stress that the condition may have brought on. Aromatherapy can be given in a variety of ways, through scents, massage or through supplements and teas. Aromatherapy is a natural treatment and its role is to support the orthodox treatments to make the individual more comfortable as often orthodox treatments do not provide comfort or relaxation. There has been some research which indicates aromatherapy may have properties which stimulate the amygdala in the brain. Image of the brain above. Doctors will sometimes advise their patients not to use aromatherapy for a few weeks before and after orthodox treatment such as chemotherapy.

Cancer research, (2015) say that many cancer patients tend to go and receive homeopathic therapies. To treat an illness a homeopathic therapist (homeopath) would use tiny doses of a substance that in large doses would actually cause the symptoms of the illness. The remedies are usually made from plants, minerals and animal substances. They are diluted in water and shaken many times until there is little of the original substance left. The water is used to make homeopathic liquid, pills or creams. Homeopaths would say that the remedy will start the healing mechanisms within the body.

The treatments are used to help the individual relax and control the symptoms of stress that may have came as a result of the cancer. Homeopathic remedies are also said to help with pain, sickness and also tiredness.

In many ways aromatherapy and homeopathy are similar. Both of the complementaries therapies work alongside orthodox treatments in order to help the individual experience relaxation and peace. According to Cancer research, (2015) cancer patients are using complementary therapies more often, aromatherapy and homeopathy are just two examples of what they may receive. The therapies are also similar as they both have some placebo effect, this means that the person will have to believe in the use of the therapy for it to work. Another similarity is that homeopathy should not be used for many weeks before and after orthodox treatments such as chemotherapy. The differences between the therapies are the ways in which they are given. For example; with homeopathy the patient is able to take a tablet. However, aromatherapy involves other techniques such as smelling scents, massages and drinking teas.