Description
Peer Responses: Length: A minimum of 150 words per post, not including references Peer Post: There are multiple alternative methods of preventative care that can be incorporated into our patient care such as biofeedback, music therapy, and acupuncture. Most are beneficial and are used prior to more extensive measures, such as medication. Tabish (2008) defined biofeedback as a type of mind-body therapy that allows a person to be able to control movements that were previously involuntary. This can benefit patient care for cardiac patients that have a long history of elevated heart rate and blood pressure (Tabish, 2008). Biofeedback can relax muscle tension, relieving the stress that is causing the increase in heart rate and blood pressure. A limitation to this is that biofeedback is known to be a costly treatment, and there are other less expensive forms of preventative care that can relieve muscle tension just the same. Music therapy is another method of preventative care that uses the combination of sounds that work together to form a therapeutic relationship (Crowley, 2013). It can be in the form of listening, such as on a digital device, playing, such as on an instrument, and singing (Crowley, 2013). Music therapy in the form of singing can actually be beneficial to those who just had surgery, promoting gas exchange and lung volume expansion (Crowley, 2013). For those just about to undergo major surgery, music therapy relieves and prevents anxiety, most especially those with an extensive psychiatric history. A limitation to music therapy would be that although it may be beneficial to some, it may not have the same effect on others. It can be overstimulating for populations like newborns in the NICU, or even triggering for those suffering from Dementia or PTSD. The last alternative method of preventative care is the use of acupuncture. Farmer (2014) defined this method as the use of fine needles on to the body that balance energy channels that reach internal organ systems. It has been proven to improve quality of life and daily living, especially for those who suffer from chronic pain and insomnia (Farmer, 2014). A limitation of acupuncture is that for some, it has been known to temporarily worsen symptoms and although short-lasting, can create an additional stressor for others. References Crowley, J. (2013). Music Therapy: Nursing Interventions With A Beat. Nursing Critical Care, 8(2), 15-17. http://doi.org/10.1097/01.CCN.0000427236.21217.c9 Farmer, C. (2014). Bringing Holistic Treatments to the Attention of Medicine: Acupuncture As An Effective Poststroke Rehabilitation Tool. Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 20(2), 120-125. http://doi.org/10.1177/2156587214565459 Tabish, S. A. (2008). Complementary and Alternative Healthcare: Is It Evidence-based? International Journal of Health Sciences, 2(1), 5-9.