Understanding Contemporary and Alternative Medicine
Various definitions exist to define contemporary and alternative medicine, it being a relatively new field. As explained Joly & Knoopers (2015), in defining CAM there is a focus on alternative treatments as opposed to those provided by the biomedical model. An elaborate definition that encompasses the true meaning of CAM is it having a mission to explore alternative healing practices in the context of rigorous science. It, therefore, covers the use of alternative medical and health care systems, beliefs and practices.
Conventional medicine and CAM are synonymous. However, the foundation of traditional medicine is that it is an extension of the biomedical model. In that, conventional medicine may involve the use of drugs, therapies, and interventions whose safety, efficacy, garners support from empirical data, (Jolly & Knoopers, 2015). The difference comes in through the provision of healing interventions that undergo classification based on their function. For example, hands-on therapies include massage, osteopathy, shasta, and reflexology. There are invasive therapies such as acupuncture, colonic irrigation, and chelation therapy aimed at targeting the internal organs and facilitating their healing. An often overlooked and critical intervention is psychological through hypnotherapy, psychotherapy, and counseling. The commonality with the highlighted methods is that they do not involve the use of medication or surgical interventions. Conventional medicine, therefore, is an alternative form of medical treatment that examines the breakdown of the human body and natural remedies available to restore the body to its origin state.
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Forms of Contemporary and Alternative Medicine
A system of classification is present that groups CAM alternatives into categories. In analyzing the useful options for Splendid Hills Hospitals, spinal manipulation, massage therapy, and acupuncture are useful interventions in the management of lower back pain. Through an analysis of each of the alternatives, it is possible to determine the best-suited approach.
Spinal manipulation according to NCCIH (2012) is a body-based practice that involves the use of hands most of the time the act is done by applying force to the soft muscles and to the joints. However, the forced used will depend on the form of manipulation in question. The main objective of the treatment centers especially those who have specialized on relieving pain on patients is improving the physical functioning by facilitating and reducing lower back pain.
Massage therapy is another practice that encompasses various techniques for therapists rubbing, pressing and manipulating soft tissues in the body. It is a useful technique in pain reduction during painful procedures, the alleviation of depression and anxiety, stress reduction including job stress and fatigue. According to a report by the National Institute of Health, (2012), massage therapy researches its effectiveness and point out its usefulness in reducing blood pressure and heart rate, keeping the individual relaxed and at ease.
On the other hand, acupuncture involves the use of electrical stimulation machines which helps to stimulate to body. Other than the electricity gadgets the therapists can also use their hands to perform the action. The origins of the practice date back to traditional Chinese medicine and are among the oldest healing practices on the world. It is unique as it encompasses part of mind-body medicine, and body-based traditional Chinese medicine. Most people, however, shy away from the practice following that it is invasive involving needles, with an assumption of pain attached to the practice. The positioning of the needles is a necessary practice to encourage blood flow and trigger the specific nerves that activate parts of the body, (NIH 2012).
Importance of CAM Alternatives
CAM plays a major role in influencing public health. The growth of the field is responsible for the increase in public awareness of the value of various techniques. With the definition of health changing to encompass harmony or balance, the use of CAM alternatives such as massage provides the individual with a sense of peace aimed at making them feel better, (Kelner & Wellman, 2000). Most options can address a broad range of conditions such as arthritis, low back pain, and infertility. Research reveals the potential benefits associated with CAM treatment such as managing nausea and pain in cancer patients, lower back pain with spinal manipulation being an important component of this and treatment of psychological conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
Purpose and Assumptions of CEA
Cost-effective analyses employ sensitivity in examining the input variables for cost and effectiveness. For example, if the hospital chooses to integrate massage therapy as its primary alternative. By weighing the costs of labor to patient satisfaction and better treatment outcomes, then the risk towards implementing the options, favor the benefits that will result. Through analyzing each of the factors likely to affect either the fixed or variable costs, and drawing up an effectiveness curve, an objective examination of the projected benefits is feasible, encouraging a sense of reliability in the choice taken.
Cost Effective Analysis as an Appropriate CAM Alternative
Cost effective analysis is useful in that under it, it involves the weighing the variable outputs of each alternative and comparing them. Through the analysis, it is possible to determine if spinal manipulation, acupuncture, and massage therapy are options the hospital can use to save costs. For example, in formulating a reliable cost effective analysis, the labor costs of each undergo examination with the various fixed costs in form of labor and variable costs determined. The use of financial assumptions in this case is necessary to provide an overview of the costs involved. Through an analysis of the figures, and the total costs it is clear that massage therapy will save the hospital costs relating to labor.
Costs of Acupuncture
The fixed costs, in this case, relate to the labor costs involved that cover the acupuncturist and clerical staff. The acupuncturist receives an hourly rate of $ 50 having dedicated a total of ten hours in a week while the clerical staff hourly rate is $ 12.50. With the estimate of one year, being approximately fifty weeks the total fixed costs of labor is $ 26,210.
Variable costs of acupuncture are $ 18.00 per client with an estimated number of 150 clients per year, coming to a total of $2,700. Other expenses include brochures relating to the subsequent first visit, steps of care and acupuncture needles coming to a total of $8,625 annually. When the fixed costs and variable costs are in sum, the total is $ 34,835
Massage Therapy
The fixed costs center on labor including the massage therapist and clerical staff. The massage therapist earns an hourly rate of $ 62 with the dedicated hours being ten. The annual costs are assuming that a year has fifty weeks totals to $ 31,000. Costs for the clerical staff center on an hourly rate of $ 12.10 per hour with two hours dedicated per week. Annually the full cost for both workers is $ 32,210.
The variable costs include brochure costs, which is $ 0.19 per client with the likely number of customers being one hundred and fifty per year. The total cost is $28.50. Effects such as massage lotion cost $ 9.35 for each client coming to a full cost of $ 1,402.50. This makes the total fixed and variable costs as $ 33,641.
Spinal Manipulation
Fixed costs relate to labor that includes the chiropractor, radiologist, X-Ray Technician and Clerical Staff. The high annual costs for the above staff members are $58.575. Variable costs focus on brochure materials that cost $ 3.50 with the likely number of clients being one hundred and thirty-one giving a total of $ 457.50. The total fixed and variable costs are $ 59,032.50
Massage Therapy as the Cost-effective Alternative
From the analysis, massage therapy appears to be the most favorable with the total cost being $ 33,641. Fixed costs on labor are cheap and involve minimal use of labor as it just involves a therapist and clerical staff. As opposed to spinal manipulation that involves labor costs on the chiropractor, radiologist, X-Ray technicians and clerical staff, massage saves on such expenses.
Recommendations for Assessing Clinical Outcomes of Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is a proven useful alternative with numerous theories supporting the effectiveness of the method. For instance, the gate control theory suggests that massage is the best form of medicine for patients suffering from muscle pain, and with the message patients are provided with the stimulation that helps them to relieve the pain. It also encourages the release of hormones such as serotonin and endorphins that contribute to beneficial changes in the body.
Various forms of massage exist including Swedish massage, sports and deep tissue massage that facilitate the achievement of better health outcomes.
References
CHP Group (2011). Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Print.
Gold, Martha. (1996). Cost-Effectiveness in Health and Medicine New York: Oxford University Press.
NIH,. (2015 ). National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Web Retrieved from http://nccih.nih.gov/health/massage on 1 July 2016.
Revett, Tracy. (2011). Acupuncture, Pain, and Insurance: Who is Really Paying the Price? Print
Joly & Knoopers,. (2015). Routledge Handbook of Medical Law and Ethics : New York: Routledge.
Kelner & Wellman,. (2000 ). Contemporary and Alternative Medicine: Challenge and Change. London: Routledge.
