Critical Incident Stress Management CISM

¶ … Cave Paintings

Complementary and Alternative Medicine and CISM in Diverse Populations

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) as often referred to as integrated medicine. This term refers to therapies used to enhance health that fall outside the realm of conventional or "western" medical therapies. Southern Medical therapies are often limited to pharmaceutical drugs, surgery, and other interventions that directly affect the body. CAM therapies can simply refer to culturally-based medical practices that are not part of mainstream medicine in the United States. Recently, the trend is toward using CAM therapies along with evidence-based Western medical practices. This research will explore CAM interventions for diverse populations within the scope of the CISM plan.

CAM Interventions for prevention of Stress and Resilience

One of the most widely accepted areas for the use of CAM interventions is in the area of stress reduction, depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and other conditions that are common symptoms of critical incident stress.CAM interventions for the symptoms include yoga, Tai Chi, acupuncture, besides, chiropractors, osteopathic physicians, and diet-base therapies GoodTherapy.org, 2011). Integrated therapy is becoming more common in recent years. Mind-body therapies including biofeedback, guided imagery, hypnotherapy, meditation, and relaxation training are used to help regulate ones mood, make improvements to the level of physical energy, and to foster an overall sense of well being (GoodTherapy.org., 2011). These techniques can be presented as part of other more traditional forms of western therapy. The ability to integrate these new techniques into talk therapy is a key reason for using them to relieve the symptoms associated with critical incident stress management.

The use of folk remedies is particularly popular among Hispanic populations. The most popular remedies among this population are herbal remedies and supplements and massage therapy (Palinkas, & Kabongo, 2000). Hispanic populations are more likely to be exposed to these culturally-based folk remedies through their community. Due to strong cultural beliefs in the effectiveness of these remedies, members of this cultural population should have access to traditional approaches as part of the targeted CISM strategy for this population.

Asian populations are more likely to respond to traditional therapies such as yoga or Tai Chi to help manage symptoms of stress, depression, and anxiety. African-American populations are more likely to use vitamins or supplements to relieve their symptoms (Powell-Griner, McFran, & Nahin et al., 2002). Appropriate CAM interventions will be made available to these populations through the CISM plan. To kiss events may choose the traditional therapies offered as part of program, or they may opt for a strictly CAM intervention. They may also choose to combine Western and cam therapies. Cultural traditions play a key role in the success of CAM interventions for emotional issues. These methods will be part of the prevention and resilience phases of the CISM strategy.

CAM and Acute Stress

It is expected that CAM interventions will be most helpful for those that are on the experiencing mild stress. However, some CAM interventions may be helpful to relieve the symptoms of acute stress and populations. Acute stress can occur in any population and some populations. Responses to CAM therapy are closely tied to cultural traditions that are associated with it. Those who have a stronger believe in the ability of CAM therapy are more likely to respond to it than those that do not carry a strong belief in the method being used. Regardless of the therapy for the special population, communication between the therapist, group leaders and the patient play an essential role in the success of that therapy (Ahin, Ngo-Metzger, & Legedza et al., 2006).

Acupuncture, chiropractic, herbal remedies, massage therapy, homey alpaca, energy healing, and biofeedback or prove it approved affective and the relief of acute stress (Kutch, 2010). According this study, not only have these techniques if it proved effective in treating acute stress, they have also proven to be cost effective when compared to traditional therapies as well. Using any means possible that is effective in reducing acute stress will help to improve the long-term prognosis of the patient.

CAM and PTSD

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops as result of high daily stress and can have a significant negative impact on mental health. In studies with veterans, CAM interventions were found to significantly reduce PTSD symptoms (Money, 2010). According to this study, some of the most effective techniques for improvement, or the long-term reduction of PTSD symptoms are meditation, yoga, creative arts therapies, herbal supplements and acupuncture.

Treatment of PTSD is similar to that of acute stress. CAM techniques can help reduce the level of anxiety and its accompanying symptoms, regardless of whether it is PTSD or acute. CAM therapies are more effective on long-term stress than on rapid onset, short-term stressful conditions. CAM techniques are more effective on milder forms of stress, but in a reduction in the level of stress, regardless of the place in the CISM planned, CAM techniques will help to improve outcomes for patients. In a reduction in stress is helpful.

Who Will Receive CAM Interventions?

As mentioned earlier, CAM techniques are were accepted in culturally diverse groups of people. However, integrated therapies using CAM as edge and therapies are quickly becoming more acceptable to a wider population of both patients and doctors. The effectiveness of CAM therapies is becoming widely accepted, particularly in the mental health profession. The effectiveness of CAM therapies depend on several factors. The first is the severity of the stress. The second is the person's attitude regarding the effectiveness of CAM therapies. The third factor involves cultural acceptance of CAM therapies.

This study found that CAM therapies can be more cost effective than traditional therapies. For patients that are candidates for CAM therapies, these therapies can play an important role in the CISM intervention strategy. Therefore, CAM strategies will be offered as an alternative to, or in an adjunct with traditional therapies. Funds will be set aside to provide for these therapies for those who choose to use them.

CAM therapies will be made available to all participants as part of the CISM plan. Culturally significant practices will be offered that might appeal to certain ethnic groups. For instance, funds can be used to pay for outside acupuncture practitioners, or massage therapists for those who choose to use these services. The wide acceptance of CAM techniques in mainstream America makes it important to offer these alternative types of therapies to all patients rather than just those that are a part of ethnic groups that might be attracted to them. It is expected that certain ethnic groups will be more likely to be attracted to certain therapies than others.