Complementary and alternative therapies or medicine is slowly becoming better known

all over the world. CAM encompasses various types of therapies such as reiki, yoga, reflexology,

herbal therapy Ayurveda, meditation, biofeedback, hypnosis, homeopathy, acupuncture, etc. The

evidenced-based research, recognition of disconnect between patients, and also the positive and

negative aspects of CAM modalities are reasons behind the increased attention it has gained in

medicals schools all over the United States. (Sciarrino et al.,2017). The primary concern behind

CAM is that it covers a rather broad range of therapies, most of which have not been able to

establish any proper scientific basis. The popular forms of CAM that have experienced or

practiced are yoga, acupuncture, chiropractic, and herbal therapies.

Therefore, in this journal, the writer will discuss yoga, which is a prevalent form of

alternative medicine. Yoga is the art and science of healing according to yogic principles. Most

people use yoga to clear their perception, heal the body, and thus to help them remove any

obstacle that may create disease or disharmony in the body and mind (Mehta & Sharma, 2019).

Besides, yoga therapy brings a holistic approach to seeing the person as a 'whole,' rather than just

the condition alone. The tools of yoga are available and accessible to all regardless of age, level

of fitness, health condition, or belief system. Treatment is based on ancient yoga teachings and

also draws on modern medicine in a holistic and integrative way. It is based on the premise that

you can take an active role in your health and healing.

 Therefore, in nursing practice, a nurse can use yoga classes is he or she is depressed,

incase of burnouts, and if she feels stressed or anxious. Besides, research shows that yoga can

increase the level of gamma-aminobutyric acid in our bodies, thus boosting our mind. The nurse

can advise his or her cancer patient on the need for joining a yoga class (Helps, 2019). The class
will help the patient in handling physical pain that might be caused by cancer itself, to by side

effects from medical treatment. Also, research shows that yoga can be a beneficial tool for

treating disease because it directs physical effects and because of the broader mental and

emotional impact.

In practice, I believe that yoga is the best pain management. For instance, I had a patient

who thought yoga was for thin, bendy, liberal, hippie vegetarians, and affluent housewives and

not tough. But as time went by, he felt broken, experienced physical pain, depressed, and scared

at the idea of surgery. As a health professional, I advised the patient to seek yoga classes. I also

advised him always to make sure that yoga practice was a daily activity that could help him in

restoring his health, because well as managing healthy body weight. Overall, the knowledge of

yoga will help me in advising the patient on the best healing process while using complementary

therapy.

References

Help, H. T. (2019). Yoga Relief For Breast Cancer Patients Recovery. Cancer.

Mehta, P., & Sharma, M. (2010). Yoga as a complementary therapy for clinical

depression. Complementary Health Practice Review, 15(3), 156-170.

Sciarrino, N. A., DeLucia, C., O'Brien, K., & McAdams, K. (2017). Assessing the effectiveness

of yoga as a complementary and alternative treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder:

A review and synthesis. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary

Medicine, 23(10), 747-755.