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What are the different types of CAM?

Many different areas make up the practice of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). In addition, many parts of one field may overlap with the parts of another field. For example, acupuncture is also used in conventional medicine. In the U.S., CAM is used by about 38% of adults and 12% of children. Examples of CAM include:

Traditional alternative medicine. This field includes the more mainstream and accepted forms of therapy, such as acupuncture, homeopathy, and Oriental practices. These therapies have been practiced for centuries worldwide. Traditional alternative medicine may include:

Body. Touch has been used in medicine since the early days of medical care. Healing by touch is based on the idea that illness or injury in one area of the body can affect all parts of the body. If, with manual manipulation, the other parts can be brought back to optimum health, the body can fully focus on healing at the site of injury or illness. Body techniques are often combined with those of the mind. Examples of body therapies include:

Diet and herbs. Over the centuries, man has gone from a simple diet consisting of meats, fruits, vegetables, and grains, to a diet that often consists of foods rich in fats, oils, and complex carbohydrates. Nutritional excess and deficiency have become problems in today's society, both leading to certain chronic diseases. Many dietary and herbal approaches attempt to balance the body's nutritional well-being. Dietary and herbal approaches may include:

External energy. Some people believe external energies from objects or other sources directly affect a person's health. An example of external energy therapy is:

Mind. Even standard or conventional medicine recognizes the power of the connection between mind and body. Studies have found that people heal better if they have good emotional and mental health. Therapies using the mind may include:

Senses. Some people believe the senses, touch, sight, hearing, smell, and taste, can affect overall health. Examples of therapies incorporating the senses include:

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Types of Complementary and Alternative Medicine

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Many different areas make up the practice of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). In addition, many parts of one field may overlap with the parts of another field. For example, acupuncture is also used in conventional medicine. In the U.S., CAM is used by about 38% of adults and 12% of children.

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Complementary and alternative medicine | Health Navigator NZ

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The term complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is usually used to describe a medical product or practice that is not standard medical care. When this is used together with conventional medicine, it’s considered complementary and when it is used instead of conventional medicine, it’s considere…

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Opinions on WEstern vs CAM/Alternative practices

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Opinions on WEstern vs CAM/Alternative practices

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Today, most Americans live an overly complicated life. There's too much pressure to live up to, and not enough time. Add to that a schedule that's jam-packed with work, family life and unpredictable everyday stressors, it's no wonder it is easy to get run down and eventually, sick.

Adding to that stress, once someone finds themselves sick, comes a decision that many people are facing. Which path does one take to wellness...the western medical approach or the alternative avenue?

The answer to which type of medicine one is more likely to seek can be found in how people perceive their individual worlds. Not so simply, it boils down to spirit vs. science. A more spirit-based individual will look for a holistic approach to health, as alternative medicine treats body, mind, spirit and emotions wholly. A more scientific-centric individual will trust western medicine and the many 21st-century, technology-based advances that have been forged through these type of treatments.

Comparing both western and alternative medicine, there's benefits and drawbacks to both.

Looking deeper into alternative medicine, Livestrong.com notes that rather than determining which genes are responsible, the practitioner considers how individuals contribute to their health through individual beliefs and lifestyle choices. While this burden of responsibility can be difficult for a patient to accept, this individualized view of health care also assumes the patient has the power to cope, rehabilitate, adapt and recover. Alternative medicine offers that ability to heal the entire body during treatments and at home without the use of standardized medication.

The Large Drawback | Alternative Medicine

A large drawback for alternative medicine is the lack of insurance coverage. Holistic health care may not be covered by insurance plans, or treatments may be reimbursed on a case-by-case basis. The standards for care and the quality provided by holistic practitioners may be variable. Although interactions in the traditional Western medical system may be constrained by complications in the health insurance industry, there may be a more consistent standard of care due to federal regulations, according to Livestrong.com. For some, making lifestyle changes, which are often a part of alternative medicine treatment, are difficult. As are multiple return visits for treatment, which are also often a part of alternative medicine.

On the other side, the goal of western medicine is to intervene with effective measures of eliminating the source of disease, thus promoting healing. Medicine in the west breaks down every aspect of the disease or condition that may be occurring in the body, and doesn't fully look at the individual's contribution to said disease. Therefore, it directly targets the disease, encouraging rapid healing. Western medicine also incorporates the use of modern technology and equipment, like the ones found at Mountainside Medical Supplies . With this integration, western treatment has the ability to become more innovative.

According to a study conducted at Milligan College, a drawback of western medicine is that in order for authentic healing to occur, both the logical mind and the intuitive mind must be integrated. It can also be a challenge to find a practitioner of western medicine who will look at the whole body as a unit and not just treat a single ailment. Thus, less time spent with a practitioner, and the less likely you are to form a relationship, which may aid in healing.

Overall, western medicine focuses on pathology and curing disease while alternative medicine focuses on the health and healing of the person.

For both treatments, the majority of concern comes from general misunderstanding and a lack of compromise from both sides.

The Best Treatment for Alternative Medicine

When opting for integration, we're seeking the best alternative for treatment of disease. Collaboration optimizes the outcome for healing. With increased education for both the practitioners and patients, western and alternative medicine could make for a very happy pairing.

Though it may seem daunting for medical professionals to begin integration of western and alternative medicines, it's possible. And this helps, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) revealed that over half of the 125 medical schools in the U.S. offered classes in alternative or complementary medicine.

Simple steps that practitioners can begin integrating in their treatments according to Livestrong.com, include dietary changes, incorporating exercise, guided imagery or meditation exercises, and direct treatments with acupuncture, herbs, or massage for both western and alternative practices.

Health is universal. It's a human right, not a privilege. Both western and alternative medicine have strengths that would grow stronger when used in harmony. It would prevent disruption during the healing process as the patient wouldn't need to visit many different clinics and doctors, and it would encourage a feeling of safety and true health care for all.

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The Great Debate Between Western And Alternative Medicine

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Today, most Americans live an overly complicated life. There's too much pressure to live up to, and not enough time. Add to that a schedule that's jam-packed with work, family life and unpredictable everyday stressors, it's no wonder it is easy to get run down and eventually, sick.

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General overview of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) including the underlying concepts, treatments, and issues to consider if you would like to use TCM.

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Covers benefits and risks of complementary and alternative medicine. Provides links to various therapies, including homeopathy, yoga, acupuncture, and natural health products. Also includes links to tools to help you decide if complementary medicine is right for you.

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New Zealand and many other countries have cultural beliefs and practices that have developed over time. These are generally based on healing the whole person. Common examples in this country include:

Traditional Māori healing

Traditional healing has been an integral part of Māori culture since time began. Values, belief systems and teachings from kaumatua and tohunga alike, have seen Māori focus on total wellbeing encompassing taha tinana, taha hinengaro, taha wairua and taha whānau (the physical domain, the domain of mind and behaviour, the spiritual domain, and the family or social domain).

When Māori are faced with tough decisions in health care or treatment particularly, some tend to opt for traditional healing methods. These can include rongoā Māori, romiromi or mirimiri to name a few customary remedies based on native plants, massage therapy and spiritual healing. If you are thinking about using these treatments, please discuss this with your clinical treatment team. Both parties will be aiming to provide you with the best possible care which has minimal side effects.

If you have difficulty expressing your needs to any of your treatment providers, find someone to advocate on your behalf so both traditional Māori healers and hospital treatment specialists are able to work together to support you on your cancer journey.

Pacific traditional healing

Traditional healing has been long used by Pacific people to help in their recovery. It involves taking a holistic approach to treating the person, where their mental, emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing are looked after together, rather than as separate parts. The treatment offered to each person can vary, depending on their needs. Medicinal plants and herbs may be used during the treatment process, as well as stones, and massage. Pacific people may choose to complement Western treatment with traditional healing.

If you choose to include traditional healing as part of your treatment, please make sure you let your doctors know. They may ask questions about the types of treatments your traditional healer is using. This can be difficult to explain sometimes, especially if it is tricky to work out which English words to use to translate certain Pacific concepts.

If you find it hard to tell your doctor or nurses about the traditional healing methods being used by your healer, it may be helpful if your doctor or nurses could talk directly with the traditional healer or even a close family member who knows what treatments you are receiving.

It may sometimes feel like the doctor and the traditional healer don't need to know about what each other is doing, but it is important that they do since they are both helping you recover. It is especially important to make sure that the medicines you are taking are working harmoniously with each other and not likely to cause you any side effects. Remember, traditional plant medicines can sometimes react with Western drugs. Your doctor may also want to make sure that the traditional massages are okay to use, particularly around the chest area if you have just had an operation.

It is possible to use both Western and traditional medicine as part of your healing journey. Both have their place and benefits. To help make sure that you recover as quickly and safely as possible, please make sure your doctors and healers know what each other is doing. This way, both your doctor and traditional healer can work together in helping you recover.

Acupuncture

An ancient Chinese practice that uses small needles to stimulate points on the body to help healing, remove pain and nausea (make you feel better when your stomach is feeling sick).

Homeopathy

Based on the theory of 'treating like with like'. To treat an illness, a homeopathic therapist (homeopath) uses tiny doses of a substance that in large doses would cause the symptoms of the illness.

Homeopathic remedies are made from plant, mineral and/or animals. They are diluted (thinned) usually using water, sometimes alcohol and shaken many times until there is little, if any, of the original substance left. Source: CancerHelp UK 2009

Naturopathy

An approach to medicine that is based on the body's ability to heal itself. Naturopaths use many other therapies, including herbal medicines, homeopathy and counselling (healing talk).

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New Zealand and many other countries have cultural beliefs and practices that have developed over time. These are generally based on healing the whole person. Common examples in this country include: Traditional healing has been an integral part of Māori culture since time began.

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Rongoā Māori, a traditional healing system that's embedded in Māori cultural traditions and beliefs, is becoming increasingly popular and some doctors are urging their peers to embrace it.

A recent study found Māori wanted doctors and traditional healers to work more closely, but doctors' lack of cultural knowledge and acceptance was a barrier.

Jordon Wansbrough has cerebral palsy, cellulitis, has had blackouts since a teen and a heart valve inserted.

After ending up in ICU in a coma four weeks ago, Mr Wansbrough decided to try rongoā medicines and ditched the mainstream drugs he had been taking for years.

The 26-year-old now mixes up a daily dose of kawakawa leaves, blended with honey and lemon.

He applied the rongoā learned from his kuia, Mereiwa Broughton, as well as his knowledge of mātauranga Māori to karakia every day.

He collected plants from the bush and after a week of illness withdrawing from the mainstream medicines, was in good health, he said.

"The doctors thought I was crazy but I said to them 'well you haven't done anything, I'm going to give my way a go and until it doesn't work, that's when I'll come back to you'."

Rongoā healers said doctors were often dismissive of their practise and told their patients not to take their medicines.

But Thames doctor Tom Nicholson, who did a basic course learning about rongoā Māori medicine, urged mainstream doctors to learn about what he said was a more holistic approach to patients' health.

Understanding rongoā Māori was of enormous value and doctors would not feel so threatened when patients told them they were using it if they had some knowledge of it, he said.

"I've experienced as a GP if I don't know much about a treatment that somebody comes and tells me they're on, then I might feel through ignorance a bit threatened by that and I might react by putting it down or telling them it's of no value.

"But the more I've learned about different approaches then the more interested and open I am to different approaches that patients might be drawn to, so I do think it's of value for people to know more about this."

A doctor at Manurewa Marae's clinic Te Manu Aute Whare Oranga, Ranche Johnson, agreed. Dr Johnson works with rongoā practitioners and said the collaborative model had proved very successful for her patients.

"We have had some people coming to see our rongoā healers and then transferring to see the doctors at our practice because they have not felt that their other doctors have been supportive of the alternative treatments they've been seeking."

One of the benefits of both practitioners working collaboratively was the improvement in patient health, Dr Johnson said.

"Our patients really appreciate having both traditional and alternative and Western traditional medicine all working side by side, so it would be great if more people could see that this model can work, and particularly for our Māori patients to have a place that they can enjoy coming to, feel at home at and don't feel that they're just going to get told off and given more pills."

Dr Ranche Johnson said traditional Western medicine was very good at diagnosing physical ailments and treating them, but there was a lot more to health than that, and that was where rongoā could prove very beneficial.

Donna Kerridge is a rongoā Māori practitioner and tutor who teaches mainstream health professionals about her practice. She often sees a change from resistance to acceptance.

"People looking down not looking at you, arms folded, very tight, taut, just 'let's get this over with' and that's how they start."

"By the end of the day you see them mixing with their peers, discussing, challenging each other and discussing what the implications are for their practise going forward and it's very inspiring to see that engagement."

Ms Kerridge said it was important that both mainstream and rongoa Māori practitioners worked together.

"There would not be a person who comes to me that isn't already medicated in one way, shape or form. So I need to have an appreciation for the medicines that they're taking, for the conditions that they've experienced as well as the treatments they've had in the past, and then I need to apply mine with respect for that."

Rongoa Māori practitioners were often a last resort for patients that mainstream medicine could not do anything more for.

"We often get the 'too-hard' patients that have tried everything and then their GP might say to them, 'have you considered perhaps Māori medicine or something like that as an option, because we really have exhausted everything we have available to us right now'.

Chair of the Medical Association Dr Stephen Child said the organisation did not have a stance against any alternative form of therapy and supported the use of rongoā medicine.

"If a patient has been to a traditional Māori healer and has been to a doctor, you would hope that in both those interactions that information was shared and the patient was made part of the decision as well.

"We know that we don't know everything about medicine so therefore we strongly support the concept of shared decision-making.

"We support the use of any treatment in which the person providing the treatment can give the patient the chance that they will get benefit of the treatment the risks of the treatment including any financial risks."

Dr Child said the association believed the two different practitioners should work collaboratively so that each knew what the other was doing.

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Doctors embrace traditional Māori medicine

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Rongoā Māori, a traditional healing system that's embedded in Māori cultural traditions and beliefs, is becoming increasingly popular and some doctors are urging their peers to embrace it. A recent study found Māori wanted doctors and traditional healers to work more closely, but doctors' lack of cultural knowledge and acceptance was a barrier.

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Exercise can help with depression

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Updated May 02, 2018 15:06:00

Physical activity can prevent depression, across all ages and around the world, a new study has found.

You may have heard before that exercise can help with mental health.

Now, a big international study has the numbers to show it can actually prevent depression from developing in the first place.

The international team included researchers from The Black Dog Institute, UNSW Sydney and Western Sydney University's NICM Health Research Institute.

They took data from 49 studies across the world, involving 266,939 people.

As Dr Joseph Firth from the University of Western Sydney explained, it is an exciting find.

"People who were sufficiently physically active were at 15 per cent reduced risk of developing depression," Dr Firth said.

"Fifteen per cent is a huge number of people given the amount of cases of depression."

'The best type of exercise is the type you'll actually do'

Dr Firth says these are long-term studies over seven or eight years, so the protective aspect of exercise comes from keeping active over the long haul.

"It's not about going to the gym on time and have a tough session and doing something that you'll never do again," he said.

"It's more about finding the type of exercise that you know you can really enjoy, that can help keep you physically active on a regular basis."

Dr Firth said the minimum amount of exercise required to gain this benefit is not known, but it isn't very much.

He said 150 minutes per week was associated with a 22 per cent risk reduction of depression, but that less than that could also lead to some benefit.

Dr Firth emphasised that exercise needed to be enjoyed, and was not necessarily linked to great skill and competitiveness.

"We should be helping kids enjoy sports even outside a competitive environment, just to find things they enjoy doing," Dr Firth said.

He said while more support was needed to help with mental health issues, regular exercise was an easy change that individuals could self-manage.

"All the data suggests it could confer a massive protective effect and really improve the population health in terms of depression and other mental health conditions," he said.

How does exercise help?

During exercise, certain chemicals are released in the brain which act like antidepressants, Dr Firth explained.

And that can be protective if there are other stressful things happening in our lives that might otherwise cause depression.

"We believe that physical activity and the chemical release actually provide a buffer from this and make you more resilient to developing depression," he said.

Joel Thompson, who plays for Manly-Warringah in the National Rugby League, told the ABC's RN Drive program he noticed a difference in his mood in the off-season.

He said while exercise was a big part of his job, he also saw it as a way to spend time with his family.

"We've had a tough start to the year with football and the best thing for me is to get out there and exercise with my family and do stuff like that," he said.

It was a counsellor who suggested to Thompson that he use exercise as a coping strategy.

"It's been a big part of staying on top of things," Thompson said.

"If things get too much, I like going to the beach, going for a swim, or going for a walk with the kids - it's been really good for me."

As well as playing football, Thompson is also a mental health advocate whose family members have battled with mental illness, and who has lost a cousin to mental illness.

He said he was a big believer in the benefits of exercise in terms of mental health.

"Do something that you love and have fun," he said.

The findings coincide with the Black Dog Institute's Exercise Your Mood week, from April 30 to May 6, which encourages everyday Australians to improve their mental health through physical activity.

Topics: depression, mental-health, exercise-and-fitness, medical-research, australia

First posted May 01, 2018 20:55:00

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Exercise can prevent depression, study finds

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Updated May 02, 2018 15:06:00 Physical activity can prevent depression, across all ages and around the world, a new study has found. You may have heard before that exercise can help with mental health. Now, a big international study has the numbers to show it can actually prevent depression from developing in the first place.

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Posted May 07, 2018 09:26:43

When Nicole Cooper was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer last year, she started to hit the gym hard.

In between bouts of chemotherapy and surgery, the 33-year-old started to work in lengthy runs and sessions of heavy weights.

"I found it energising, the idea that I had something in my control, that I could own," she said.

"There's so many unknowns with cancer, but that was my project to work on."

Ms Cooper is at the forefront of a growing trend in cancer treatment, with some doctors suggesting patients adopt an exercise regime to complement their traditional treatment.

Now, a group of Australian cancer experts want to go further and are launching a "world-first" position statement calling for exercise to be prescribed to all cancer patients as part of their routine treatment.

The Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) has prepared the Exercise in Cancer Care paper, which states doctors should prescribe particular exercise regimes and refer patients to exercise specialists with experience in cancer care.

The statement has been endorsed by more than 25 health organisations, including the Cancer Council and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, and a COSA report on the issue has been published in the Medical Journal of Australia.

"We're at a point where the level of evidence is really indisputable and withholding exercise from patients is probably harmful," said Associate Professor Prue Cormie, who is chair of the COSA report group and lead author of the statement.

"If we could turn the benefits of exercise into a pill it would be demanded by patients, prescribed by every cancer specialist and subsidised by government.

"It would be seen as a major breakthrough in cancer treatment."

The COSA statement finds most people with cancer don't meet exercise recommendations, and outlines a level of exercise, including:

At least 150 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise (e.g. walking, jogging, cycling, swimming) each week; and,

Two to three resistance exercise (i.e. lifting weights) sessions each week involving moderate to vigorous-intensity exercises targeting the major muscle groups.

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre chief medical officer, David Speakman, said the statement was a significant step forward in the treatment of cancer.

"The notion that we must protect a patient, wrap them in cotton wool, is old fashioned and not supported by the research," he said.

"Our attitudes to treating cancer ... have to change. All cancer patients will benefit from an exercise prescription."

Ms Cooper said she focussed on exercise as much as chemotherapy and would often go straight from her chemo session to the gym.

She describes both as "potentially life-saving" and is now officially in remission.

"I've done personal bests in the gym since being diagnosed with cancer," she said.

"Cancer is a lifelong battle, once you have it you're kind of with it.

"So you have to plan out your life around how you can live best [and] I'm certainly doing that now."

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'World-first' call for exercise to be prescribed to all Australian cancer patients

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Posted May 07, 2018 09:26:43 When Nicole Cooper was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer last year, she started to hit the gym hard. In between bouts of chemotherapy and surgery, the 33-year-old started to work in lengthy runs and sessions of heavy weights.

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Stress, worries, and pressure - it seems that these negative emotions are easily becoming part of our daily lives. Meditating and working out are just some of the most common activities many people do to get rid of stress.

Unfortunately, with our hectic schedules everyday, we don't always get the chance to free ourselves from stressful situations we go through. Luckily, the Japanese have an ancient method used for self-relaxation and relieving stress. Doing this practice is easy and would only take five minutes of your time.

What's more, you can do it anytime and anywhere. It doesn't cost a thing and the best thing is - you just need nothing else but your hands to do it.

For this method to work effectively, first, you must be aware that each finger in our hand represents certain areas:
Our thumb represents worries and anxieties: The index finger stands for fear:
Your ring finger is for depression and loneliness:

The little finger represents stress and self-esteem:

The next step would be identifying the negative emotion you are currently feeling. For an example, if something is worrying you, you should focus on your thumb. Once you have identified which finger you should be focusing on, wrap all your fingers from the other hand around the finger that represents the negative emotion.

Since 'worry' is the negative emotion in the example, you should wrap all the fingers from your other hand around your thumb.

Maintain your grasp on the affected finger until you feel the pulse. Keep your fingers wrapped around it for about two minutes. If you feel many negative emotions affecting you, you can do the exercise to all your fingers. In addition, if you want to calm your mind as well, you can put a slight pressure on the center of your palm using the thumb from your other hand. Hold it for at least a minute.

This ancient Japanese relaxation technique is called "Jin Shin Iyutsu". And it is backed by science.

In a study published in National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) done by Lamke D., Catlin A., and Mason-Chadd M., it was proven that the acupressure technique can result in "significant increases in positive outlook, gratitude, motivation, calmness, and communication effectiveness and significant decreases in anger, resentfulness, depression, stress symptoms, time pressure, and morale issues. Nurses reported less muscle aches, sleeplessness, and headaches."

Watch the video below for full demonstration of this amazing self-relaxation technique:
(Note: This article is for informational purposes only and not to be treated as professional advice. Should you encounter any negative symptoms, please seek professional help).

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Japanese method of relieving stress in just five minutes

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Stress, worries, and pressure - it seems that these negative emotions are easily becoming part of our daily lives. Meditating and working out are just some of the most common activities many people do to get rid of stress.

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Funding for Accupunture

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Despite spending millions of dollars funding Kiwi's acupuncture claims each year, an ACC review is questioning whether there's enough evidence to support the healing ability of needles.

The review, three years in the making, has shown little evidence for medium and long-term relief of pain associated with musculoskeletal conditions and "significant gaps" in acupuncture research overall.

However, the review did show that conventional acupuncture was effective in the short term for some conditions.

In the 2018/19 financial year, acupuncture services were provided as part of 220,262 claims accepted by ACC. The organisation did not provide Stuff with a dollar figure for those services but in July 2015 to June 2016, ACC spent $30 million on acupuncture treatments, an increase of more than $4m from the year before.

READ MORE:
* Report attacks acupuncturists for illegal treatment claims
* Why yoga and acupuncture are replacing booze and schmooze
* Should acupuncture be regulated?

In the past decade, the public money spent on acupuncture has more than quadrupled, despite ACC's admission that there was "a lack of consistency in the rationale for, and use of, both needle and non-needle based acupuncture".

ACC clinical partner Melissa Barry said the review did show that short-term acupuncture (six weeks) was effective for relief of pain associated with some musculoskeletal conditions.

Non-specific neck and lower back pain were both seen to be helped by acupuncture in the short-term, as was sciatica, knee osteoarthritis and Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD).

There was insufficient evidence found for other conditions beyond that, Barry said.

Safety and adverse events were also not reported consistently across the 55 systematic reviews and 42 primary studies which informed the review, making it difficult for researchers to assess the true rate of adverse effects.

Along with two ACC colleagues, Barry presented the review findings during Acupuncture NZ's annual conference in Wellington, as more than 100 practising acupuncturists looked on - questions at the ready.

One of those, Wellington acupuncturist and Acupuncture NZ spokeswoman Kate Roberts, was pragmatic about the review findings and the motives behind it.

"I can see where they [ACC] are coming from ... It's the cost of claims, once people start seeing an acupuncturist, they quite often keep going because they get better and other aspects of their life get better."

Currently, ACC offers blanket cover for all acupuncture treatment in New Zealand, as long as the ailment is directly caused from an accident and is carried out by a registered acupuncturist.

To put into context, someone with traumatic brain injury would likely be covered but someone with period pain, not so much.

"You have to be able to demonstrate that what you're treating is definitely an accident," Roberts said.

The latest review undertaken by the University of South Australia had the potential to change what has been the norm for the past 30 years.

"It might narrow the number of treatments and when you can access it ... the tricky thing is that they're saying there's evidence for the first six weeks for pain relief but unfortunately they don't have the research for what happens later down the track."

Retired Christchurch real estate agent Margaret Greenhill, who damaged her shoulder in a fall nearly three months ago, believed acupuncture had been vital to her recovery.

She had mixed the treatment with regular physiotherapy and massage over 10 weeks, but said she had the most movement in her arm after acupuncture.

"I'd gone from not being able to move the arm at all, to being able to move it straight up."

It was the second time having acupuncture, after injuring the same shoulder years earlier.

She believed it should be covered by ACC, as it would be cost prohibitive otherwise.

The full 500-page report is set to be released on Monday with those in the sector, including professional bodies and practitioners urged to feed back to ACC on how the findings of the review might be applied and affect what is - and is not - funded in future.

An ACC spokesman said results from that would tentatively be discussed in the first half of 2020.

"The important thing to understand is that even though there is a plethora of information out there, the literature doesn't have all the answers," Barry said.

ACUPUNCTURE: A SHORT HISTORY

The practice of inserting very fine needles into points of the body to improve health and wellbeing has a long history, both as a key component of traditional Chinese medicine as well as its origins during the Stone Age.

The first medical "text" written in China describing acupuncture as a component of traditional Chinese medicine was compiled between 500-300 BC. The practice spread from China to Korea and Japan in the 6th Century and reached Europe in the 1700s, however it took a lot of time before it became commonly accepted.

It gained significantly more acceptance in 1950 when George Soulie′ de Morant was nominated for the Nobel Prize in physiology for his work in acupuncture. Soon after, in 1959, The Medical Acupuncture Society in Britain was founded.

The 1970s saw another change in perception as it became more known the Western public consciousness. US President Richard Nixon observed the practice when he visited China in 1972.

The World Health Organisation proclaimed acupuncture as a clinical practice in 1979.

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Acupuncture put under the ACC microscope with broad-ranging review showing lack of evidence

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Despite spending millions of dollars funding Kiwi's acupuncture claims each year, an ACC review is questioning whether there's enough evidence to support the healing ability of needles. The review, three years in the making, has shown little evidence for medium and long-term relief of pain associated with musculoskeletal conditions and "significant gaps" in acupuncture research overall.

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Australian Aboriginals Helps Heal in Hospital

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About a third of Waitematā DHB staff support Rongoā Māori being made available to patients, a survey has found.

The survey results, published in the New Zealand Medical Association Journal today, found that of the 1181 staff that responded to the survey, 32 percent felt that Rongoā Māori should be available in hospitals.

The survey also found 46 percent were familiar with Rongoā Māori, and 16 percent had used it for themselves or whānau.

Researcher Dr Glennis Mark, who undertook the research alongside surgeon Dr Jonathon Koea, said she was surprised by the results.

"There are a lot of Māori staff in the DHB so that would explain part of it and the other part is that there are a lot of non-Māori who, maybe they have a surface knowledge of rongoā, maybe not a deep understanding, so that will account for the knowledge of it, but for an in-depth real use and provision of rongoā that [was] higher than we expected."

The intention of the survey was to gauge how much support there was for rongoā Māori to know whether there was an appetite for further research, Mark said.

While there has been a lot more collaboration between Māori healers and medical practitioners than has been recorded, Mark said most hospitals were still not open to it so colloborations were only happening at a local level.

"Healers are wanting to ensure their patients are well looked after [and] there are some doctors who are willing to support it but it's not widely accepted within mainstream providers."

"So because of that resistance, healers have just worked with whatever doctor is local and will open to working with them."

Those doctors who were open to rongoā were often of South African descent, Mark said, as they trained alongside healers at medical school in their home country.

While medical treatment was very standardized, Mark said rongoā was specific to each patient, and took a holistic view of their health.

"It will depend on the person what herbs are going to work for them best and whatever other ailments they have, so there's no sort of standard "here take this and it will heal your asthma," she said.

"Not one herb is going to work the same way for everyone and that's why the healers are holistic in their approach and only providing for each individual what that individual needs."

Marks said there was a strong stigma against alternative medicine in general, but rongoā in particular had very little support and knowledge, in part, because of the Tohunga Suppression Act 1907 which forced rongoā Māori underground.

"There's a lot of work to be done about educating people about what the rongoā does and the benefits, [because] you can't really support something you don't know anything about."

She said mainstream medicine was missing the wairua, or spiritual aspect of a person's health, and the holistic view of health.

"Rongoā looks at mind, body, spirit, land, family and the doctor will look at your physical, maybe ask how things are going at home, at then that's it, so we're missing out vital parts of our holisitic health makeup, according to rongoā Māori."

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Waitematā DHB staff open to rongoā Māori traditional medicine

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About a third of Waitematā DHB staff support Rongoā Māori being made available to patients, a survey has found. The survey results, published in the New Zealand Medical Association Journal today, found that of the 1181 staff that responded to the survey, 32 percent felt that Rongoā Māori should be available in hospitals.

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Laughter Yoga | Liliana DeLeo | TEDxMontrealWomen

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What do you think about this?
How could this service impact upon wellbeing?
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Mention the phrase "forest bathing" to anyone and you'll invariably hear someone enthuse about their favourite spa or bath hidden in the bush. However, while I'm all for soaking it in, that's not, by definition, forest bathing.

Confused yet? Let me explain.

"Forest bathing" is the act of replenishing one's mental health by going for a nature walk. We can thank the Japanese for the term, which was coined it in the early '80s as an antidote to fast-paced urban lifestyles. Since then, a growing body of research has demonstrated the profound positive effects of shinrin-yoku on our mental and physical health.

According to a 2019 systemic review published in Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, forest bathing may improve immunity, as well as alleviate anxiety and depression. In studies that compared people who walked in nature versus urban settings, those who did the nature walk had lower activity in their prefrontal cortex - the part of the brain that's responsible for worry was much quieter. Likewise, walking in the woods has also been proven to decrease high blood pressure and pulse rates.

Yet, Kiwis continue to spend about 70 per cent of their time indoors, with one in four experiencing anxiety at some point in their lifetimes.

Whirinaki Forest Footsteps aims to change that. One of New Zealand's newest tour operators, its forest bathing experience takes walkers deep into the Whirinaki Forest, one of the world's last prehistoric rainforests, with towering totara, kahikatea and rimu trees that are estimated to be up to 1000 years old.

"They're the chiefs of the forest," says our tour guide, Himiona Nuku. Over the next 12 kilometres, he points out things I wouldn't have noticed-or understood-without his guidance. Springing up like a tiny forest of evergreens, the forest is home to the tallest species of moss in the world. Whio (blue ducks) whistle from the rushing river below our path, while shining cuckoos warn us of forthcoming rain.

At one point, Nuku hands me a piece of raw pikopiko to sample. The ferns are well-known as symbols for new growth, but they were traditionally used by Māori as medicine for mental health. It's a reminder that the forest's capacity to heal has been known for centuries.

And now, we're gaining a better understanding of how exactly it does it. Trees release essential oils, called phytoncides, to protect themselves. As we go for a tramp, we breathe in these airborne oils, which are believed to boost moods and immune systems, and may even help to fight cancer. That's why forest bathing is about more than just taking a walk in the woods-it's about visiting our natural environments with understanding and intentionality.

This is what guides the work of owners Nadine and Karl Toe Toe. Whirinaki Forest Footsteps is only their latest initiative - the couple also runs Kohutapu Lodge, on the edges of Lake Aniwhenua. As socially conscious accommodation providers, since 2013 they've distributed more than 30,000 hāngi meals to those in need and donated $30,000 to the local marae - contributions that landed them a New Zealand Tourism award for community engagement in 2019. They hope that in the future, Whirinaki Forest Footsteps can be used as an avenue to support and help at-risk youth.
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"For us, it's not just a walk in the forest," says Nadine. "People look at going into nature as a photo opportunity for Instagram, but it's about the spiritual and health benefits you can get from it."

Nadine's effervescent energy sweeps us along on our tour of their other new venture; a five-bedroom house overlooking the lake that's been thoughtfully designed for groups with rolling barn doors, polished concrete floors and a massive macrocarpa table carved by Karl.

At first, I'm concerned a house this size for two people will feel cavernous. Instead, it envelopes my partner and me in its warmth. I'm so busy watching birds land on the water outside that it's a full hour before I realise there's no Wi-Fi (another point of intentionality).

Later that night, Nadine stops by with a massive dessert platter, which, like the house, seems intended for a family of 20. ("Food is how we show love and gratitude. It's a big part of Māori culture," she explains.)

"Do you feel tired after your walk? Or energised?" she asks.

I'm stumped by her question. I feel neither. It takes me a few moments before I can identify the foreign sensation settling in my limbs. Then, I realise what I'm feeling.

This, I remember, is what it feels like to be relaxed. Bring on the phytoncides.

Details

Whirinaki Forest Footsteps is a new guided Māori cultural and wellness experience deep in the Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park near Murupara. The easy to moderate walking track is suitable for kids and most fitness levels and takes five hours. It costs $199 for adults and $150 for children, including round-trip transportation from Rotorua and a packed forest-to-fork lunch. whirinakiforestfootsteps.co.nz

Overlooking Lake Aniwhenua, Te Whare Aniwaniwa is Kohutapu's Lodge's brand new five-bedroom, three-bathroom house. With trestle beds for kids and woodfired outdoor bathtubs, it's designed for groups and families to relax, reset and reconnect. Kohutapu Lodge's Stay and Bathe package for groups of 10 to 20 includes two nights' accommodation, a guided walk with Whirinaki Forest Footsteps, and a welcome platter (plus wine) on arrival that would put most hotel's measly cheese boards to shame. Normally $595 per person, it is $399 until October. Cabins are also available, starting at $100 per night. kohutapulodge.co.nz

SOAK IT UP: 7 MORE RETREATS IN THE TREES

In New Zealand, we're fortunate that parkland is never far away, making it easy to work "forest bathing" into our regular routine. But for those looking to fully reap its benefits, a guided experience may help you approach the act mindfully.

From day spas set in the outdoors, to multi-day retreats, we've rounded up some of the best forest-bathing experiences across the country.

Warblers Retreat, Auckland

You don't have to leave Auckland to immerse yourself in a natural environment. Warblers Retreat in Albany is surrounded by lush bush, providing the perfect setting to take a tranquil stroll in the woods. With Warblers Forest Bathing package, you can also forest bathe in the private outdoor bathtub after your walk. A 90-minute session-which includes light refreshments-costs $120.

Sole to Soul, Waitaki

Mental and physical wellbeing was so important to friends Sally Newlands and Juliet Gray that they launched a business devoted to it. Sole to Soul takes walkers into Waitaki's expansive high country near Kurow, including through private land not normally accessible to the public. The tailored experiences can include yoga and meditation, starting at $179 for a half-day experience.

Pupu Rangi Nature Sanctuary, Northland

A half-day outdoors might not feel like quite enough time to soak it all in. If you've got a week to spare, Pupu Rangi Nature Sanctuary's seven-day explorer programme might be the answer. Combining forest bathing and conservation volunteering in one of Northland's kauri forest, you'll deepen your knowledge of floral and fauna, learn basic navigation skills, and spend your nights sleeping in tree tents. Volunteer placements are available from November through April.

WaiOra Wellbeing, Great Barrier Island

A certified nature and forest therapy guide, WaiOra owner Vicky Kyan is your go-to for forest bathing on Great Barrier Island. In addition to hosting forest therapy sessions on Wednesday and Saturdays, she offers private mentoring and training to others who are interested in becoming guides, as well as flower essence remedies.

Terra & Tide, Waiheke Island

An internationally accredited nature and forest therapy guide, wellness coach Gabrielle Young brings more than 25 years of experience to her business on Waiheke Island. Her private forest therapy walks focus on building resilience and wellbeing through connecting with our natural environment. Experiences are available for groups of four and up ($150 to $195 per person dependent on season).

Maruia River Retreat, Tasman

There's arguably no better place to forest bathe than in the Tasman's native bushland. Maruia River Retreat, on the edges of the Victoria Forest Park near Murchison, offers a Forest Bathing and Nature Therapy package. After a guided walk, you'll eat a gourmet lunch, be pampered with a massage or private yoga class, and soak in the retreat's outdoor hot tub. The package is valued at $360 per person, and is available for guests of the lodge.

Mount Cook Retreat, Canterbury

During the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown, the team at Mount Cook Retreat spent their time outdoors constructing a dedicated shinrin-yoku path. However, it's not the only activity on the property, which overlooks Lake Pukaki-the retreat also boasts a stargazing observatory, croquet lawn, and even a wintertime outdoor curling rink.

For more New Zealand travel ideas and inspiration, go to newfinder.co.nz and newzealand.com

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The art of forest bathing in Whirinaki, Te Urewera and New Zealand's best tree retreats - NZ Herald

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Mention the phrase "forest bathing" to anyone and you'll invariably hear someone enthuse about their favourite spa or bath hidden in the bush. However, while I'm all for soaking it in, that's not, by definition, forest bathing. Confused yet? Let me explain. "Forest bathing" is the act of replenishing one's mental health by going for a nature walk.

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Parks, forests, coasts, urban gardens, backyards, or any space where nature is predominant are prime places for nature-connection experiences. The activities shared here may be done alone, in pairs or with groups.

As with any outing in nature, please be aware of any potential hazards, such as poisonous plants, slippery rocks, and bugs that bite.

1︱Opening Senses

Find a quiet place and get comfortable either standing or sitting on the ground. Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and wait to feel grounded. Become aware of your environment by focusing on one sense at a time. Tune into sound and notice the sounds near and far, the silence in-between sounds, and the whole soundscape. Tune into touch and notice the texture and qualities of the air on your exposed skin. Spread your fingers (and toes) and feel the air between them. Notice the the warmth and coolness from the sun and shade. Tune into smell and notice the different aromas present. Taste the air. Tune into gravity and feel it pulling you to the earth. Gently sway your body. Put your hands over your heart and feel your heartbeat. Return to any sensation you like. Are birds singing? Are trees rustling? Can you feel the warmth of the sunshine? When you're ready to open your eyes, open them slowly and notice all around you.

2︱Gratitude Walk

On a walking trail, park or open space, walk at a pace that feels comfortable to you for about 20 minutes. No matter how you walk, focus your attention on nature and your breathing. You may like to alternate between slow, brisk, and fast walking. Slow walking fosters a heightened state of awareness, calm and connection with the natural world. In large open spaces, such as a park, try slow walking in circles, expanding and contracting the size of your circles. Faster walking relieves stress and energises the body. No matter how you walk, do pause along the way to notice the small wonders of nature.

An interesting addition to your walk is to create a feeling of gratitude. By focusing your attention on things that fill you with gratitude, you can shift your mind from any negativity or pessimistic thoughts. Here's a simple list to help you fill your heart with gratitude.

3︱Make Friends With Trees

Find a tree that attracts to you and get to know it well. Spend at least 10 minutes with your tree. Some possible ways to engage with trees are:

Explore the tree: Gaze at the tree for five minutes. What does it tell you about itself? Trees belong to different species and have histories, families, stories, and unique qualities. Lean against the tree, touch the tree, feel its leaves, bark, flowers, fruit. What knowledge does it share with you?

Climb the tree: Carefully climb (shoes off) and find a place to sit or lie safely and enjoy the view.

Tell the tree a story: Share a secret, your dreams, a prayer, or send a message to a loved one. Trees provide a non-judging space to express yourself.

Meditate with the tree: Either sitting or lying down, breathe and become aware of the interconnected link of breath between you and the tree.

Stretch your body with the tree: Use the tree as a support to stretch your back, arms, legs and torso.

❤ Read the story behind this film and get a copy of the poem at this link.

4︱Grounding with Body and Breath

Find a quiet place in nature, take off your shoes and stand on the earth. Relax your breath. Straighten your spine. Become aware of the sensations from your legs, ankles and feet moving up from the ground. Stand for a few minutes until you feel stable. Then, move your awareness slowly up from the feet to the top of your head. Notice if there's tension, stress, or stiffness in any part of your body. Stay with the areas of your body that call your attention. Take a deep breath, expanding your belly. Pause. Exhale slowly to the count of five. Repeat. Imagine the forest air soothing your body with every in-breath and your tiredness dissolving into the ground with every out-breath. This deep breathing brings fresh oxygen and phytoncides (natural compounds that increase blood cells which fight cancer and tumors) into our lungs, tissues and organs. They also ground our bodies and can give relief from inflammation, pain and stress. Benefits of deep breathing are amplified manifold in the forest.

5︱Nature Therapist

Nature is a wonderful therapist. Using your senses, let yourself be drawn to an element of nature, such as a tree, a rock, or light. Sit comfortably with it and ask a question, silently or aloud, that you are seeking support or guidance on. With your senses open and mind neutral, listen. An answer may come to you in the form of an intuition, a physical sensation, an insight or a new idea. It is possible that no answer will come while you wait, but it may come to you later in another way. The intention is to rest your mind and let it be open to receive.

6︱Nature Art

Create an impermanent artwork made from found elements of nature. The work of Andy Goldsworthy is an inspiration, but we need not go so far! Some ideas for your nature art: gratitude mandala, animal home, ikebana, labyrinth, a magical fairy house and bridge. If you're with others, try a 'gallery walk' afterwards to share your creations. (A full post on the process can be found at our post on Nature Art )

Arranged leaves by Andy Goldsworthy

7︱Nature Journaling

Create a personal record of the nature around you by keeping a nature journal. What is a nature journal? Simply put, it is "the regular recording of observation, perceptions, and feelings about the natural world". (Clare Walker Leslie, Keeping a Nature Journal)

The act of nature journaling encourages us to become keen observers of details and seasonal rhythms and deepens our understanding of the natural world. It reinforces our nature connections and it stimulates reflection on experiences, thoughts and emotions. It helps us remember what has been observed and learned, cultivates on-going curiosity and contributes to establishing a sense of place.

Developing the habit of nature journal can be tricky. Make it inviting. Keep it simple. Encourage it but let it be optional. Let your child record in whatever way he would like (sketches, poems, photos, brief descriptions, pressed plant samples, etc.). Do it together. Review and reflect on past entries occasionally.

Check out these resources for inspiration and how-to's:

8︱Animal Kingdom

Indigenous cultures considered animals to be our brothers and sisters and knew how to understand them, as did saints, sages, yogis and mystics. Animals experience the world in ways that overlap our own, and each species has special characteristics. We can learn to appreciate animals by bring their aspects into ourselves through observation and play. If you're alone, sit someplace quietly and open yourself to observe the animals by maintaining a neutral, open, gentle state of awareness. Find the qualities you love most aboutyour favorite animal and bring these visualizations into your own body. After some time, animals and birds will become used to your presence and may come out of hiding.

For groups, stand in a circle and ask people to call forth their favorite animal. Then, give yourselves a fun task, such as building animal homes, or a enacting the role of your animal. After 10-15 minutes of play, reconvene in a circle to create a poem. Begin with a word or sound that suits the day, and then going around the circle each person contributes a word/sound until a freestyle poem emerges and runs its course.

Dance in nature. Dance with the wind. Dance alone with headphones. Dance with friends. Make a drum circle. Stomp and clap. However you like. Be respectful of nature and dance with it.

10︱Water Healer

If water is present, find a comfortable place to sit beside the water to meditate or simply enjoy the sensory experience. Water sounds and visuals calm our brains and nervous systems. Moving waters encourage going with the flow, letting go, movement, change, and creative energy. Still waters encourage self-reflection. If possible, feel the water with your hands and feet. Get a natural foot massage and refresh yourself.

11︱Dream Time

Find a comfortable spot on the ground, lie down, take off your shoes, and take in the life around you. Sky-gaze, daydream, meditate, watch insects, breathe, nap, or feel free to simply enjoy being with nature. Try positioning your body like a starfish, with arms and legs outstretched. This grounding activity will calm and refresh your body and mind.

*This page is part of our Nature Calm course with 100+ ideas for mindful nature based activities and meditations from around the world.

Also do check out our post on 9 Nature Ideas for mindfulness activities for groups >>

Article inputs by Julie Hall and Monique from USA

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Parks, forests, coasts, urban gardens, backyards, or any space where nature is predominant are prime places for nature-connection experiences. The activities shared here may be done alone, in pairs or with groups. As with any outing in nature, please be aware of any potential hazards, such as poisonous plants, slippery rocks, and bugs that bite....

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