Alternative cancer treatments describes alternative and complementary treatments for cancer that have not been approved by the government agencies responsible for the regulation of therapeutic goods. They include diet and exercise, chemicals, herbs, devices, and manual procedures. The treatments may be untested or unsupported by evidence, either because no proper testing has been conducted, or because testing did not demonstrate statistically significant efficacy. Concerns have been raised about the safety of some of them.
Alternative cancer treatments are typically contrasted with experimental cancer treatments, which are treatments for which experimental testing is currently underway. All currently approved chemotherapeutic cancer treatments were considered experimental cancer treatments before their safety and efficacy testing was completed.
Such therapies can be categorized broadly into three groups: alternative treatments offered as a substitute to standard medical treatment; alternative treatments as an addition to standard treatment; and treatments proposed in the past that have been found in clinical trials to be useless and/or unsafe. Some of these obsolete or disproven treatments continue to be promoted, sold, and used.
Alexander technique
The technique
The Teaching Process
The Alexander technique is considered to be primarily an educational process to be practiced by the student, rather than a curative treatment or therapy. Generally, it does not consist of routine exercises, but is meant to be applied in any moment when quality improvements are desired during action. For this reason, F.M. Alexander preferred not to recommend exercises for his students to perform, and most Alexander teachers follow this intent. Alexander's approach was to emphasize the use of freedom to choose beyond conditioning in every action.
Teachers use demonstration, explanation, and repeated re-examination of a student spontaneous reactions. Light hand contact by the teacher is most often used to detect and deal with the student's unnecessary stress. In the context of everyday motions such as using one's hands, sitting, standing, walking, and speaking, the teacher's suggestions are student-specific guidance and not a series of recommended exercises suitable for anyone. Assistance with any activity, such as a hobby, sports or an artistic performance may be requested as further topics of personal interest. [3]
The exceptions are two prescriptive forms or exercises intended to be done in separate but brief practice times. A procedure recommended to all students is lying semi-supine as a means for effective rest, releasing muscular tension and as an opportunity to use the conscious mental "Directions" Alexander devised. The other procedure is termed a "Whispered Ah," used to subtract unnecessary effort from the use of the voice.
Freedom, efficiency and patience are the prescribed values. Proscribed are unnecessary effort, self-limiting habits as well as mistaken assumptions. Students are led to change their previous habitual and largely automatic routines that are interpreted by the teacher to currently or eventually be physically limiting and structurally inefficient. The Alexander teacher provides verbal coaching while monitoring, guiding and preventing unnecessary habits at their source with specialized hands-on assistance to show what is meant. This specialized assistance requires Alexander teachers to demonstrate on themselves the improved physical coordination they are communicating to the student.[4]
Alexander developed his own terminology to talk about his methods, outlined in his four books. These terms were created to describe the sometimes paradoxical experience of learning and substituting new improvements.
Sensory appreciation
F. M. Alexander insisted on the need for strategic reasoning and "Constructive Conscious Control" because kinesthetic sensory awareness is a relative sense, not a truthful indicator of fact. The current postural attitude is sensed internally as a normal state of affairs, however inefficient. Alexander's term, "debauched sensory appreciation" describes how the repetition of a circumstance encourages habit design as a person adapts to circumstances or builds skills. Once trained and forgotten, completed habits may be activated without feedback sensations that these habits are in effect, just by thinking about them.[5] Short-sighted habits that have become harmful over time, such as restriction of breathing or other poor postural attitudes that limit freedom of movement & shorten stature, will stop after learning to perceive and prevent them.
End-gaining
Another example is the term "end-gaining", which means to focus on a goal so as to lose sight of the "means-whereby" the goal could be more appropriately achieved. According to Alexander teachers, "end-gaining" increases the likelihood of selecting older or multiple conflicting coping strategies with the potential for needless cumulative, ongoing self-injury. End-gaining actions are usually carried out because a more imperative priority justifies it, which is usually impatience or frustration.
Inhibition
In the Alexander technique lexicon, the principle of "inhibition" is considered by teachers to be the most prominent. F.M. Alexander's selection of this word pre-dates the modern meaning of the word originated by Sigmund Freud. Inhibition describes a moment of conscious awareness of a choice to interrupt, stop or entirely prevent an unnecessary habitual "misuse." As unnecessary habits are prevented or interrupted, a freer capacity and range of motion resumes, experienced by the student as a state of "non-doing."
Primary control
This innate coordination that emerges is also described more specifically as "Primary Control". This is a key head, neck and spinal relationship. The body's responses are determined by the qualities of head and eye movement at the inception of head motion. What expands the qualities of further response is a very subtle nod forward to counteract backward startle pattern, coupled with an upward movement of the head away from the body that lengthens the spine. Students learn to include their whole body toward their intention of purposeful motion.
Directions
To continue to select and reinforce the often less dominant "good use," it is recommended to repeatedly suggest, by thinking to oneself, a tailored series of "orders" (also termed Directions.) "Giving Directions" is the term for thinking and projecting an anatomically corrected map of how one's body is designed to be used effortlessly. "Directing" is suggestively thought, rather than willfully accomplished. This is because when freedom is the objective, the appropriate responses cannot be anticipated but can be observed and chosen in the moment.
Psycho-physical unity
Global concepts such as "Psycho-physical Unity" and "Use" describe how thinking strategies and attention work together during preparation for action. They connote the general sequence of how intention joins together with execution to directly affect the perception of events and the outcome of intended results.
The Teaching Process
The Alexander technique is considered to be primarily an educational process to be practiced by the student, rather than a curative treatment or therapy. Generally, it does not consist of routine exercises, but is meant to be applied in any moment when quality improvements are desired during action. For this reason, F.M. Alexander preferred not to recommend exercises for his students to perform, and most Alexander teachers follow this intent. Alexander's approach was to emphasize the use of freedom to choose beyond conditioning in every action.
Teachers use demonstration, explanation, and repeated re-examination of a student spontaneous reactions. Light hand contact by the teacher is most often used to detect and deal with the student's unnecessary stress. In the context of everyday motions such as using one's hands, sitting, standing, walking, and speaking, the teacher's suggestions are student-specific guidance and not a series of recommended exercises suitable for anyone. Assistance with any activity, such as a hobby, sports or an artistic performance may be requested as further topics of personal interest. [3]
The exceptions are two prescriptive forms or exercises intended to be done in separate but brief practice times. A procedure recommended to all students is lying semi-supine as a means for effective rest, releasing muscular tension and as an opportunity to use the conscious mental "Directions" Alexander devised. The other procedure is termed a "Whispered Ah," used to subtract unnecessary effort from the use of the voice.
Freedom, efficiency and patience are the prescribed values. Proscribed are unnecessary effort, self-limiting habits as well as mistaken assumptions. Students are led to change their previous habitual and largely automatic routines that are interpreted by the teacher to currently or eventually be physically limiting and structurally inefficient. The Alexander teacher provides verbal coaching while monitoring, guiding and preventing unnecessary habits at their source with specialized hands-on assistance to show what is meant. This specialized assistance requires Alexander teachers to demonstrate on themselves the improved physical coordination they are communicating to the student.[4]
Alexander developed his own terminology to talk about his methods, outlined in his four books. These terms were created to describe the sometimes paradoxical experience of learning and substituting new improvements.
Sensory appreciation
F. M. Alexander insisted on the need for strategic reasoning and "Constructive Conscious Control" because kinesthetic sensory awareness is a relative sense, not a truthful indicator of fact. The current postural attitude is sensed internally as a normal state of affairs, however inefficient. Alexander's term, "debauched sensory appreciation" describes how the repetition of a circumstance encourages habit design as a person adapts to circumstances or builds skills. Once trained and forgotten, completed habits may be activated without feedback sensations that these habits are in effect, just by thinking about them.[5] Short-sighted habits that have become harmful over time, such as restriction of breathing or other poor postural attitudes that limit freedom of movement & shorten stature, will stop after learning to perceive and prevent them.
End-gaining
Another example is the term "end-gaining", which means to focus on a goal so as to lose sight of the "means-whereby" the goal could be more appropriately achieved. According to Alexander teachers, "end-gaining" increases the likelihood of selecting older or multiple conflicting coping strategies with the potential for needless cumulative, ongoing self-injury. End-gaining actions are usually carried out because a more imperative priority justifies it, which is usually impatience or frustration.
Inhibition
In the Alexander technique lexicon, the principle of "inhibition" is considered by teachers to be the most prominent. F.M. Alexander's selection of this word pre-dates the modern meaning of the word originated by Sigmund Freud. Inhibition describes a moment of conscious awareness of a choice to interrupt, stop or entirely prevent an unnecessary habitual "misuse." As unnecessary habits are prevented or interrupted, a freer capacity and range of motion resumes, experienced by the student as a state of "non-doing."
Primary control
This innate coordination that emerges is also described more specifically as "Primary Control". This is a key head, neck and spinal relationship. The body's responses are determined by the qualities of head and eye movement at the inception of head motion. What expands the qualities of further response is a very subtle nod forward to counteract backward startle pattern, coupled with an upward movement of the head away from the body that lengthens the spine. Students learn to include their whole body toward their intention of purposeful motion.
Directions
To continue to select and reinforce the often less dominant "good use," it is recommended to repeatedly suggest, by thinking to oneself, a tailored series of "orders" (also termed Directions.) "Giving Directions" is the term for thinking and projecting an anatomically corrected map of how one's body is designed to be used effortlessly. "Directing" is suggestively thought, rather than willfully accomplished. This is because when freedom is the objective, the appropriate responses cannot be anticipated but can be observed and chosen in the moment.
Psycho-physical unity
Global concepts such as "Psycho-physical Unity" and "Use" describe how thinking strategies and attention work together during preparation for action. They connote the general sequence of how intention joins together with execution to directly affect the perception of events and the outcome of intended results.
Affirmations (New Age)
Affirmations in New Age and New Thought terminology refers primarily to the practice of positive thinking—fostering a belief that "a positive mental attitude supported by affirmations will achieve success in anything."[1] More specifically an affirmation is a carefully formatted statement that should be repeated to one's self and written down frequently. For an affirmation to be effective, it needs to be present tense, positive, personal and specific.[2]
History
This concept has grown popular due to Rhonda Byrne's The Secret (also a 2006 film) and The Law of Attraction series by Esther Hicks and Jerry Hicks.[3] These books and teachers express similar ideas to Napoleon Hill's classic book Think and Grow Rich. Byrne was inspired in particular by New Thought pioneer Wallace D. Wattles' 1910 book The Science of Getting Rich. Affirmations are also referred to in Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP), Neuro Associative Conditioning "NAC" as popularized by Anthony Robbins, and hypnosis. Esther Hicks is a proponent of using affirmations when one is already in a state of happiness and peace, otherwise many very positive affirmations can actually feel bad.
A related belief is that a certain critical mass of people with a highly spiritual consciousness will bring about a sudden change in the whole population.[4] And that humans have a responsibility to take part in positive creative activity and to work to heal ourselves, each other and the Earth.[
History
This concept has grown popular due to Rhonda Byrne's The Secret (also a 2006 film) and The Law of Attraction series by Esther Hicks and Jerry Hicks.[3] These books and teachers express similar ideas to Napoleon Hill's classic book Think and Grow Rich. Byrne was inspired in particular by New Thought pioneer Wallace D. Wattles' 1910 book The Science of Getting Rich. Affirmations are also referred to in Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP), Neuro Associative Conditioning "NAC" as popularized by Anthony Robbins, and hypnosis. Esther Hicks is a proponent of using affirmations when one is already in a state of happiness and peace, otherwise many very positive affirmations can actually feel bad.
A related belief is that a certain critical mass of people with a highly spiritual consciousness will bring about a sudden change in the whole population.[4] And that humans have a responsibility to take part in positive creative activity and to work to heal ourselves, each other and the Earth.[
Adrenal fatigue
Adrenal fatigue or hypoadrenia is a term used in alternative medicine to describe the belief that the adrenal glands are exhausted and unable to produce adequate quantities of hormones, primarily cortisol. The term "adrenal fatigue" may be applied to a collection of non-specific medically unexplained symptoms, but it is not recognized by mainstream institutions. This is distinct from clinically defined adrenal dysfunction disorders such as adrenal insufficiency or Addison's Disease.[1]
The term "adrenal fatigue" is used by some practitioners of alternative medicine, who claim that adrenal fatigue is too mild to be picked up on standard blood tests of adrenal function[citation needed]. The concept has given rise to an industry of dietary supplements claiming to treat this syndrome
The term "adrenal fatigue" is used by some practitioners of alternative medicine, who claim that adrenal fatigue is too mild to be picked up on standard blood tests of adrenal function[citation needed]. The concept has given rise to an industry of dietary supplements claiming to treat this syndrome
Acupuncture point
Acupuncture points (Chinese: 腧穴 or Chinese: 穴位, also called acupoints) are locations on the body that are the focus of acupuncture, acupressure, sonopuncture and laser acupuncture treatment. Several hundred acupuncture points are considered to be located along meridians (connected points across the anatomy which affect a specific organ or other part of the body). There are also numerous "extra points" not associated with a particular meridian.
They are different from Japanese shiatsu points,[citation needed] althogh Japanse acupuncture uses TCM acupuncture points.[citation needed]
Despite considerable efforts to understand the anatomy and physiology of the "acupuncture points", the definition and characterization of these points remains controversial.[1] Research has been published suggesting acupuncture points may be associated activation of specific brain areas using functional magnetic resonance imaging[2] or areas of low electrical impedance in the body[3] but overall evidence for the anatomical existence of acupuncture points is not compelling.
Theory
Acupoints used in treatment may or may not be in the same area of the body as the targeted symptom. The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory for the selection of such points and their effectiveness is that they work by stimulating the meridian system to bring about relief by rebalancing yin, yang and qi (also spelled "chi" or "ki"). This theory is based on the paradigm of TCM and has no analogue in western medicine.
Body acupoints are generally located using a measurement unit, called the cun, that is calibrated according to their proportional distances from various landmark points on the body. Acupoint location usually depends on specific anatomical landmarks that can be palpated.[5] Many of these basic points are rarely used. Some points are considered more therapeutically valuable than others, and are used very frequently for a wide array of health conditions.
Points tend to be located where peripheral nerves enter a muscle, the midpoint of the muscle, or at the enthesis where the muscle joins with the bone.[6] Location by palpation for tenderness is also a common way of locating acupoints (see also trigger point). Points may also be located by feeling for subtle differences in temperature on the skin surface or over the skin surface, as well as changes in the tension or "stickiness" of the skin and tissue. There is no scientific proof that this method works and some practitioners disagree with the method.
Body acupoints are referred to either by their traditional name, or by the name of the meridian on which they are located, followed by a number to indicate what order the point is in on the meridian. A common point on the hand, for example, is named Hegu, and referred to as LI 4 which means that it is the fourth point on the Large Intestine meridian.
Acupuncture points often have allusive, poetic names that developed over the course of centuries, often involving synonyms to ensure similar points are located on the appropriate limb. A total of 360 points are generally recognized, but the number of points has changed over the centuries. Roughly 2/3 of the points are considered "yang", while the remaining 1/3 are considered "yin".
They are different from Japanese shiatsu points,[citation needed] althogh Japanse acupuncture uses TCM acupuncture points.[citation needed]
Despite considerable efforts to understand the anatomy and physiology of the "acupuncture points", the definition and characterization of these points remains controversial.[1] Research has been published suggesting acupuncture points may be associated activation of specific brain areas using functional magnetic resonance imaging[2] or areas of low electrical impedance in the body[3] but overall evidence for the anatomical existence of acupuncture points is not compelling.
Theory
Acupoints used in treatment may or may not be in the same area of the body as the targeted symptom. The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory for the selection of such points and their effectiveness is that they work by stimulating the meridian system to bring about relief by rebalancing yin, yang and qi (also spelled "chi" or "ki"). This theory is based on the paradigm of TCM and has no analogue in western medicine.
Body acupoints are generally located using a measurement unit, called the cun, that is calibrated according to their proportional distances from various landmark points on the body. Acupoint location usually depends on specific anatomical landmarks that can be palpated.[5] Many of these basic points are rarely used. Some points are considered more therapeutically valuable than others, and are used very frequently for a wide array of health conditions.
Points tend to be located where peripheral nerves enter a muscle, the midpoint of the muscle, or at the enthesis where the muscle joins with the bone.[6] Location by palpation for tenderness is also a common way of locating acupoints (see also trigger point). Points may also be located by feeling for subtle differences in temperature on the skin surface or over the skin surface, as well as changes in the tension or "stickiness" of the skin and tissue. There is no scientific proof that this method works and some practitioners disagree with the method.
Body acupoints are referred to either by their traditional name, or by the name of the meridian on which they are located, followed by a number to indicate what order the point is in on the meridian. A common point on the hand, for example, is named Hegu, and referred to as LI 4 which means that it is the fourth point on the Large Intestine meridian.
Acupuncture points often have allusive, poetic names that developed over the course of centuries, often involving synonyms to ensure similar points are located on the appropriate limb. A total of 360 points are generally recognized, but the number of points has changed over the centuries. Roughly 2/3 of the points are considered "yang", while the remaining 1/3 are considered "yin".
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an alternative medicine that treats patients by insertion and manipulation of needles in the body. Its proponents variously claim that it relieves pain, treats infertility, treats disease, prevents disease, promotes general health, or can be used for therapeutic purposes.[1] Acupuncture typically incorporates traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as an integral part of its practice and theory. The term “acupuncture” is sometimes used to refer to insertion of needles at points other than traditional ones, or to applying an electric current to needles in acupuncture points.[2][3] Acupuncture dates back to prehistoric times, with written records from the second century BCE.[4] Different variations of acupuncture are practiced and taught throughout the world.[5]
Ideas of what constitutes health and healing sometimes differ from concepts used in scientific, evidence based medicine. Traditional acupuncture was developed prior to the understanding of human anatomy and cell theory upon which modern biology is based. According to acupuncture, disease is believed to be produced by an imbalance of yin and yang caused by a "blockage" or "stagnation" of metaphysical energy known as qi, whereas in science based medicine disease is attributed to physical causes, for example bacteria, viruses, or genetic conditions. Qi is believed to flow in and around the body in channels called meridians. Heart-qi is believed to be a force that causes the blood to circulate through the body, whereas in science based medicine the blood is propelled by the heart pumping it, and it is not propelled by a metaphysical force. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is based in part on Daoism, with a belief that all parts of the universe are interconnected.[6] The location of meridians are based on the number of rivers flowing through the ancient Chinese empire, and acupuncture points were originally derived from Chinese astrological calculations.[7][8][9] and do not correspond to any anatomical structure. No force corresponding to qi (or yin and yang) has been found in the sciences of physics or human physiology.[8][10][11][12][13]
The evidence for acupuncture's effectiveness for anything but the relief of some types of pain and nausea has not been established.[14][15][16] Systematic reviews have concluded that acupuncture is no more effective than nonpenetrating stimulation of one point to reduce some types of nausea.[17] Evidence for the treatment of other conditions is equivocal.[18] Although evidence exists for a very small and short-lived effect on some types of pain, several review articles discussing the effectiveness of acupuncture have concluded it is possible to explain as a placebo effect.[14][19][20] Publication bias is a significant concern when evaluating the literature. Reports from the US National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine In America (NCCAM), the American Medical Association (AMA) and various US government reports have studied and commented on the efficacy of acupuncture. There is general agreement that acupuncture is safe when administered by well-trained practitioners using sterile needles.
Ideas of what constitutes health and healing sometimes differ from concepts used in scientific, evidence based medicine. Traditional acupuncture was developed prior to the understanding of human anatomy and cell theory upon which modern biology is based. According to acupuncture, disease is believed to be produced by an imbalance of yin and yang caused by a "blockage" or "stagnation" of metaphysical energy known as qi, whereas in science based medicine disease is attributed to physical causes, for example bacteria, viruses, or genetic conditions. Qi is believed to flow in and around the body in channels called meridians. Heart-qi is believed to be a force that causes the blood to circulate through the body, whereas in science based medicine the blood is propelled by the heart pumping it, and it is not propelled by a metaphysical force. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is based in part on Daoism, with a belief that all parts of the universe are interconnected.[6] The location of meridians are based on the number of rivers flowing through the ancient Chinese empire, and acupuncture points were originally derived from Chinese astrological calculations.[7][8][9] and do not correspond to any anatomical structure. No force corresponding to qi (or yin and yang) has been found in the sciences of physics or human physiology.[8][10][11][12][13]
The evidence for acupuncture's effectiveness for anything but the relief of some types of pain and nausea has not been established.[14][15][16] Systematic reviews have concluded that acupuncture is no more effective than nonpenetrating stimulation of one point to reduce some types of nausea.[17] Evidence for the treatment of other conditions is equivocal.[18] Although evidence exists for a very small and short-lived effect on some types of pain, several review articles discussing the effectiveness of acupuncture have concluded it is possible to explain as a placebo effect.[14][19][20] Publication bias is a significant concern when evaluating the literature. Reports from the US National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine In America (NCCAM), the American Medical Association (AMA) and various US government reports have studied and commented on the efficacy of acupuncture. There is general agreement that acupuncture is safe when administered by well-trained practitioners using sterile needles.
Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) is the national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education[1] to accredit Master's-level programs in the acupuncture and Oriental medicine profession. As an independent body, ACAOM accredits first professional Master's degree and professional Master's level certificate and diploma programs in acupuncture and first professional Master's degree and professional Master's level certificate and diploma programs in Oriental medicine with a concentration in both acupuncture and herbal therapies.
The Commission fosters excellence in acupuncture and Oriental medicine education by establishing policies and standards that govern the accreditation process for acupuncture and Oriental medicine programs.Currently, ACAOM has over 65 schools and colleges with accredited or candidacy status with the Commission.
The Commission fosters excellence in acupuncture and Oriental medicine education by establishing policies and standards that govern the accreditation process for acupuncture and Oriental medicine programs.Currently, ACAOM has over 65 schools and colleges with accredited or candidacy status with the Commission.
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