[pauley.18]

I too agree with Patricia and Greg with regards to getting these modalities covered by insurance. Not only can it help some overall costs in treating patients with multiple medications to relieve one thing that then could be caused by another. It could also relieve the stress we as nurses feel when trying to help relieve the pain in our patients.

[gabel.164]

I’m definitely going to suggest Complementary therapy to my patients because I find many need help increasing their ability to cope. I also think it takes the CT specialists and the entire medical team to help the patient cope through their oncology journey.

[goodman.100]

Thank you everyone for posting and what an excellent discussion! One of the main points everyone seemed to bring up is that complementary therapies are under-utilized in modern medicine and could reduce the use of medications, especially narcotics. The timing is crucial right now- I just heard on the radio this morning that Purdue Pharma is filing for bankruptcy regarding the lawsuits against them for their narcotic production. This is just one of many lawsuits and investigations nationwide. As our country and the world takes a close look at our narcotic problem, CT’s could not only reduce narcotic use but help return the confidence of patients and providers in their pain control.

Mindy mentioned this will take a culture change- not only on our part but patients as well. Patients complain of a variety of symptoms and our answer is usually to give them more medication. When a hormonal positive breast cancer patient complains of symptoms from their hormonal therapy (joint pain, hot flashes, fatigue, etc.) I am often at a loss to give them any answer in controlling these symptoms. They don’t want to discontinue their anastrazole or Tamoxifen (because then their cancer might spread) but what, other than more medication, can help them?

Patti said this article helped define different CT’s for her. This brings up the point that many of us in modern Western medicine aren’t even aware of or certain about different CT’s available. We need education as well as patients.

Holly’s question about CT’s prior to therapy/surgery should be explored further- anyone looking for a grant to begin a study?

Reena brought up a good point about one simple CT nursing has been employing for a long time- therapeutic touch. The profession seems to have moved away from this more recently- with concerns about hygiene and infection control, personal comfort with touch, and safety issues. We don’t touch patients as frequent as we used to and when we do we are often wearing gloves. Perhaps as nurses we should own this again and make it part of our daily practice. I remember as I gained experience as a nurse I began monitoring my use of gloves when interacting with patients. I tried to not wear them when assisting patients and there was a low risk of bodily fluid exposure. What about the patients in isolation? They go an entire hospital stay without human touch- how does this affect them?

We still have a long way to go and much to learn about CT’s as a profession and a nation, but as nurses we are in the perfect position to advocate further use and study.

[gabel.164]

I feel like sometimes I underestimate the power of therapeutic touch. This journal discussion has reminded me how much CT can help patients. Thanks again for selecting such great articles.

[blackwell.72]

smith.10494
I think that is an excellent idea to teach family/caregivers how to do the therapeutic massage! We could start recommending that they go with the patient for their massages and possibly the licensed massage therapist could show the caregivers some key areas to massage and good techniques.

[Author]

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