Journal of Pharmacogenomics & Pharmacoproteomics

Beyond diagnosis: The individualized approaches complementary and alternative medicine practitioners take in working with clients with multiple sclerosis

4^th International conference on Predictive, Preventive and Personalized Medicine & Molecular Diagnostics

September 22-23, 2016 Phoenix, USA

Kimberly Burnham

Akamai University, USA

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Pharmacogenomics Pharmacoproteomics

Abstract:

In 1955, E. Sedlacek wrote an article entitled, �??Remedial massage in multiple sclerosis,�?� for the journal, Hippokrates. Since then manual therapists and complementary and alternative medicine practitioners have been assessing clients and putting together rehabilitation programs for people with multiple sclerosis that bring together a number of elements and approaches tailored to the individual presenting in their office. Often the symptom picture varies significantly from one individual to the next. There is no list of technique that must be done with people with multiple sclerosis. The treatment plan depends on what is contributing to the individual's symptoms. There are a wide range of assessment techniques that can be used to find the solutions to the symptoms. Just knowing the diagnosis is not enough, the practitioner must consider the best approach to take with their client and to do so they must understand through assessment and palpation what is contributing to this particular symptom picture. A variety of studies show the benefits of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) with people with Multiple Sclerosis and other neurodegenerative disorders. These approaches include, integrative manual therapy, physical therapy, massage therapy, reflexology, reiki, acupuncture, music therapy, yoga, exercises and activities designed to increase quality of life. In a 1994 study by Fawcett, J., J. S. Sidney, et al., �??Use of alternative health therapies�?�, 16 people with multiple sclerosis (MS) said, physical therapy, counseling, nutrition and massage were the most frequently used alternative therapies. Other therapies included acupuncture, occupational therapy, aquatic therapy, therapeutic touch, yoga, passive exercise and removal of mercury alloy tooth fillings. Almost two thirds of the respondents reported seeking an alternative health practitioner because traditional physicians offered no cure. Just under a third of respondents stated the quality of their lives was improved by alternative therapies.

Biography :

Kimberly Burnham has completed her PhD in Integrative Medicine and had extensive training in Craniosacral Therapy, Reiki, Acupressure, Integrative Manual Therapy, Health Coaching and Matrix Energetics which enables her to serve as a catalyst, gently shifting her clients' abilities to feel better physically, think more clearly and be more creative. She works at New Moon Family Wellness in Spokane and consults worldwide. She also writes for inner Child Magazine, 5Best, and Spokane FAVs. She is the award winning author of several books including, Touched by Parkinson's, A Healing Journey Through Poetry and Balancing the Sleep- Wake Cycle: Sleep Better, Learn Faster, Contribute More and Enjoy Life.

Email: nervewhisperer@gmail.com