Heather Discussion: Complementary And Integrative Health (CI

Heather Discussion: Complementary and integrative health (CIH) have grown

Complementary and integrative health (CIH) has seen significant growth worldwide, even alongside the use of modern medicine. According to Holtz (2022), CIH encompasses a broad range of diverse medical and healthcare systems, practices, and products that are not part of a country's traditional medical approaches and are considered nonmainstream. Understanding the scope of CIH is crucial when examining therapies such as qi therapy, particularly in cases like Jane's, where it is used to manage symptoms associated with cancer.

Research indicates that qi therapy can assist in reducing fatigue among cancer patients. Eldridge (2022) notes that qi therapy may help diminish inflammation linked to cancer or its treatments and may promote apoptosis—programmed cell death—in cancer cells. While qi therapy does not appear to directly cure cancer, it offers supportive benefits that improve a patient's quality of life. Chang and Knobf (2019) report that qi therapy can slow disability progression, reduce fatigue, and enhance overall well-being, emphasizing its role in symptom management rather than eradication of disease.

Multiple social determinants influence the adoption and effectiveness of CIH practices globally. Politics play a pivotal role; government support enables research, regulation, and dissemination of information about CIH practices. Holtz (2022) highlights that US government agencies like the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) have facilitated understanding and integration of CIH into mainstream healthcare through scientific research and public education. Economics also affect access; traditional and herbal medicines often cost less and are more accessible than Western medicine, influencing their use especially in countries with limited resources (Holtz, 2022).

Cultural and religious factors deeply influence CIH approaches. For example, traditional Chinese medicine—rooted in Taoism, Confucianism, Buddhism, and the principles of yin and yang—shapes many practices including qi therapy (Holtz, 2022). These cultural beliefs frame how individuals perceive and utilize these therapies, which can impact their acceptance and perceived efficacy. In my personal view, recommending CIH depends on individual circumstances, particularly when conventional treatments fail to fully manage symptoms. For instance, in Jane’s case, qi therapy provided symptom relief, indicating its potential as a complementary approach.

When individuals experience persistent symptoms like fatigue or pain that are unrelieved by Western medicine, CIH can offer meaningful benefits. As Eldridge (2022) discusses, therapies like qi can modulate pain and fatigue, contributing to improved quality of life. Moreover, the integrative approach caters to patient-centered care, respecting cultural values and personal preferences. This holistic outlook aligns with contemporary healthcare's shift towards more personalized, comprehensive treatments. Consequently, clinicians should consider CIH as a complementary option, especially when evidence suggests symptom alleviation and improved mental health outcomes.

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Complementary and integrative health (CIH) has grown significantly across the globe, integrating with mainstream medicine to provide patients with more holistic care options. CIH includes diverse systems, practices, and products that are not traditionally part of the national healthcare infrastructure but have gained acceptance owing to their potential to improve health outcomes, especially in chronic and complex conditions like cancer (Holtz, 2022). The rising popularity of CIH is driven by increasing recognition of patient-centered care, holistic wellness, and cultural diversity, which influences health practices worldwide.

One such practice, qi therapy—often delivered via Qigong or Tai Chi—embodies many principles of traditional Chinese medicine and is used for supportive care in cancer. Research indicates that qi therapy can reduce fatigue, enhance quality of life, and possibly slow disease progression. Eldridge (2022) notes that qi therapy may influence inflammation reduction and promote apoptosis in cancer cells, although it remains unproven as a cure for cancer itself. Instead, its primary benefit lies in symptom management and psychological support, especially in patients like Jane, who are undergoing aggressive treatments that often result in debilitating side effects.

Understanding the broader social, political, economic, cultural, and religious factors that shape the use of CIH practices like qi therapy offers insights into their variability and perceived efficacy. Politically, government funding and regulation are crucial for advancing scientific research, ensuring safety, and integrating CIH practices into public health systems (Holtz, 2022). The U.S. NCCIH exemplifies this by supporting research initiatives that evaluate CIH modalities, making vetted information available to clinicians and the public. This institutional backing helps legitimize CIH and increases patient trust.

Economics significantly influence access; in many countries, traditional medicines are more affordable and accessible than Western pharmaceuticals. However, in wealthier nations, the out-of-pocket costs for CIH therapies may limit their use unless covered by insurance plans or public health initiatives. Additionally, cultural and religious beliefs underpin many CIH practices. For example, Chinese cultural principles rooted in Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism heavily inform qi therapy's conceptual framework, affecting not only how practitioners deliver care but also how patients perceive its legitimacy and effectiveness (Holtz, 2022).

In clinical practice, integrating CIH like qi therapy should be tailored to individual patient needs, especially when conventional medicine does not fully address symptom relief. For Jane, qi therapy demonstrated benefits in reducing fatigue—a common and often distressing symptom in cancer patients. Such therapies can serve as adjuncts to standard treatments, offering pathways to improve mental health, reduce stress, and promote a sense of control amid illness. Evidence suggests combining self-care practices with practitioner-led therapies can optimize health outcomes (Zeliadt et al., 2020).

The role of healthcare providers in recommending CIH hinges on their understanding of its benefits, limitations, and evidence base. While not a substitute for evidence-based medicine, CIH can be a valuable complement, fostering holistic healing and patient empowerment. Challenges include the need for further research and standardization, as well as addressing disparities in access and cultural acceptance. Policymakers should prioritize funding and regulation to ensure safe, effective, and equitable access to CIH modalities like qi therapy (Klein, 2017).

In conclusion, CIH practices such as qi therapy exemplify how traditional, cultural, and holistic approaches can complement modern medicine. Recognizing the influence of political, economic, cultural, and religious factors is vital to understanding their integration and efficacy. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, fostering research, education, and policy development in CIH can enhance patient-centered care, offering safe, affordable, and culturally sensitive treatment options for diverse populations.

References

• Holtz, C. (2022). Global Health Care: Issues and Policies (4th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Klein, P. (2017). Qigong in Cancer Care: Theory, Evidence-Base, and Practice. Medicines (Basel, Switzerland), 4(1), 2.
• Eldridge, L. (2022). Can Qigong help people with cancer? Verywell Health.
• Chang, P. S., & Knobf, T. (2019). Qigong Exercise and Tai Chi in Cancer Care. Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing, 6(4), 315–317.
• Zeliadt, S. B., Coggeshall, S., Gelman, H., Shin, M. H., Elwy, A. R., Bokhour, B. G., & Taylor, S. L. (2020). Assessing the relative effectiveness of combining self-care with practitioner-delivered complementary and integrative health therapies to improve pain in a pragmatic trial. Pain Medicine, 21(2).