An Introduction to Complementary and Alternative Medicine
by Barbara Kappus Ward, MSW, LISW, ERYT, CIMHP
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) refers to therapies that extend beyond conventional Western medical treatments. The term complementary refers to treatments that are used in conjunction with standard care, and the term alternative refers to less conventional methods of treatment for the purpose of enhancing overall health. A person seeking treatment for a range of mental health concerns may find some complementary or alternative treatment approaches to be helpful when these treatments are undertaken with the knowledge and support of a mental health therapist or a medical professional.
I have been in the mental health field for over 25 years, for the last 15 years I have been practicing alternative and complementary medicine as a yoga therapist. Through these many years of experience, I have found that combining the different treatment modalities of these fields is beneficial for the mental and physical health of my clients. This approach is known as an Embodiment model. The Embodiment model can be defined as learning and being informed of the world and of ourselves using our senses. One of the first things we learn about and experience as babies is our bodies, prior to learning words and before the development of language and higher intelligence. Unfortunately, as we grow, we often attempt to understand our “problems” through the mind alone, rather than using the knowledge and insight from our body. The body offers a whole area of untapped knowledge and awareness that is highly effective in creating lasting insight into healing. It is through body knowledge and re-learning this knowledge that we can begin to develop a new level of awareness that goes beyond stories of the past or fears of the future. It is this knowledge that offers skills in the present. It is the practice of mindfulness in movement and thought.
Cleveland Health and Wellness Center's Complementary Alternative Medicine program includes an integrative assessment and education on the following: dietary and sleep guidelines, nutritional supplements consultation, somatic/yoga breathing exercise, yoga therapy, sound therapy, and mindfulness-based meditation. This educational program for mental health teaches techniques to improve the mind and body’s well-being by viewing many mental and physical afflictions that may stem from a physical imbalanced or vice versa. Through integrating psychotherapy and somatic therapy, clients may tap into their own awareness and knowledge of healing and find an equanimity of peace and balance.