- Email: [email protected]
African herbarium and Ayurvedic medicine: heritage of the CAMs
188
Poster Presentations / European Journal of Integrative Medicine 4S (2012) 124–201
which the local technician, who has been in Italy to learn, will be coordinated by the pharmacy’s student in his/her work; (5) the fifth one concerns quality and assurance control of medicinal products routinely prepared in the new galenic laboratory – the check will be carried out by University of Turin; and (6) the last one concerns the periodical stages at the new laboratory for a pharmacy’s student. Several projects are ongoing, at different stages of progress: ‘Centre Médico-Chirurgical Maternité la Bethanie’ Douala, Cameroon – Phase 6; Hospital ‘Notre Dame des Apòtres’, Garoua, Cameroon – Phase 6; Health Center ‘Le Bon Samaritain’, N’djamena sud, Tchad – Phase 6; Hospital ‘Heintsoa’, Vohipeno, Madagascar – Phase 6; Dispensario Diocesano, Ihosy, Madagascar – Phase 6; Hospital ‘Nossa Senhora de Paz’, Cubal, Angola – Phase 5; A.M.E.N. Onlus center, Funda, Angola – Phase 5; and Hospital ‘Saint Damien’, Tabarre, Haiti – Phase 5. Each laboratory so far has reached a different state of evolution. All of them are growing day by day, helped by the constant support of the entire team A.P.P.A.®, whose purpose is one of making them independent as regards both knowledge in handling galenics and economy in order to buy new raw materials using the profit from medicine sale. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eujim.2012.07.915 PP-156 Acupuncture without border: our past leading to future challenges Longo Patrizia 1 , Giambalvo Dal Ben Giovanni 2 , Canavesi Federico 1 , Majno Margherita 1 , Rossi Elisa 3 , Perini Sergio 1 1 Acupuncture
Without Border (OGN) Sanitaria Firenze, Florence 3 FISTQ (Federazione Italiana Scuole Tuina e Qigong), Milan, Italy 2 Azienda
Acupuncture Without Border (AWB) is a non-governmental organisation (OGN), a socially useful non-profit-making organisation (Organizzazione NonLucrativa di Utilita’ Sociale (ONLUS)) independent of any political and religious principles, which focusses on human rights. AWB Italy was born on May 2002 in Milan, Italy, following the example of ‘Acupuncture sans frontiers’ founded several years ago in France and Switzerland. The right to health care has been recognised all over the world for over 50 years, but, to this day, it is inaccessible to a large number of people due to the high costs of modern medicine. Acupuncture is not able to treat every disease, but studies show that more than 60% of the diseases usually seen in a dispensary can be treated exclusively with this therapeutic method. In addition, the use of acupuncture prevents the dangers of self-treatment and, once needles are sterilised, the cost of this therapy is very low. AWB performs medical missions free of cost for the teaching of basic acupuncture in developing countries that request it. Our teachers (volunteers) train physicians and paramedical personnel, with 2-week sessions to be repeated 2–3 times. The association provides all the educational and therapeutic materials. We ask trainees to agree to give free treatments to the population, once their training has been successfully com-
pleted. Our start-up was in Madagascar with a mission shared with AWB France. Our most recent mission was in Tanzania, where Furaha, an ONLUS based in Florence, asked us to cooperate in training medical personnel and nurses who work in its dispensary. Since the beginning we have modified our didactic plans according to the local needs aiming to be more effective and less intrusive as possible. Every country and society has its own culture and habits and our primary goal is to respect them. A careful study of the local health needs and logistic situation prior to our mission allows us to perform it in the best possible way. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eujim.2012.07.916 PP-157 African herbarium and Ayurvedic medicine: heritage of the CAMs De Monte Teresa Asl 3 Alto Friuli, Artegna-Udine, Italy The author desires to stimulate the health knowledge of the complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) with the help of the operators of the ONGs (non-governmental organisations)/Int. Sanitary Cooperation. In the countries of Asia, Africa, Middle East and Latin America, the ample use of phytotherapy derives not only from purely economic necessity, but also from a cultural approach, tightly connected to beliefs and ancestral rites. The understanding and comprehension of the natural local medicine (ethnomedicine), when we are on a mission, can be of great help and sometimes can help us in resolving some embarrassing situations. After all, the OMS is supporting various studies regarding the real effectiveness of plants and grass that have been used for generations to take care of numerous illnesses: from fever to inflammations, from hypertension to cardiac problems and from banal infections to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The ancestral pharmacopoeia is integrated in medicine and modern pharmacopoeia to create integrated medical systems. On the one hand, Ayurvedic medicine and the medicine of Ibn Sinha are known today, studied and applied also by the Western physician. On the other hand, African medicine is little known even if today some of the plants receive great interest in the medical field. Therefore, it is here that the local pharmacies can offer us herbs for malaria such as the leaves of the Morya or the Mklifi and the Combretum micranthum – this one was studied by the OMS and broadly used in the therapy of HIV together with Sutherlandia microphylla, bringing benefits to those sick of HIV. Meanwhile, for Hodgkin’s lymphoma and for acute lymphocyte leukemia, ethnomedicine uses Catharanthus roseus containing alkaloids (anticancer agents, e.g., vincristine and vinblastine). For inflammations the ownerships of Nerium oleander are exploited or of Lawsonia inermis, to stimulate the immune system: Ocimum gratissimum, Umphafa (African Olea) and Tombeya are used to treat inappetance; from the root of Mdungu and Mgamu a liquid is extracted which is used to treat cough; from Mklifi soap is also obtained a ’tooth brush’; a cane is used, taken by a plant
Poster Presentations / European Journal of Integrative Medicine 4S (2012) 124–201
called Mkasiri. Some plants serve for taking care of women in pregnancy; others are used to treat stomach ache.
PP-159
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eujim.2012.07.917
Kargel-Schwanhaeusser Andrea
TECHNIQUES FOR PEOPLE’S HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Praxis fuer Koerpertherapie, Berlin, Germany
PP-158 Tactile massage and healing touch –caring touch for patients in emergency care – a qualitative study Airosa Fanny 1 , Falkenberg Torkel 2 , Öhlén Gunnar 3 , Arman Maria 1 1 Karolinska
Institutet, Huddinge Institutet, Vidarinstitutet, Solna 3 Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden 2 Karolinska
Background: Stress is often associated with patients having acute illnesses or trauma after being admitted to a short-term emergency ward. Anxiety and pain may also be related to painful tests and examinations during their hospital stay. Touch is one of the oldest forms of treatments in the world and physical touch has played a central role in healing in many cultures, to be distinguished from caring touch where healing is an expression of compassion. Touch is a natural part of caring for nurses and assistant nurses. A natural part of caring is an ethical and existential aspect of nursing where the caring relationship between the nurse and patient may contribute to the patient’s healing and health recovery. In this study, caring touch, that is, tactile massage, and healing touch are used to enhance touch, together with an environment associated with highly technical medical equipment by focussing on the physical requirements of the body. Aim: To illuminate patients’ experiences and meaning in receiving caring touch, that is, tactile massage, or healing touch whilst being cared for at a short-term emergency ward after an acute illness or trauma. Methods: Twenty-five patients admitted to the short-term emergency ward participated in the study. Data were collected through individual interviews which consisted of narratives, analysed by a phenomenological–hermeneutical method. Results: Three main themes were found to be part of an encounter in an existential togetherness without illness and floating into a non-verbal peacefulness of trust, consolation and safety, daring to be spiritually in the body. A nourishing touch a feeling of being taken care of and nourished which gave a feeling of well-being with decreased pain, and a sense of stillness in being a human being. In the theme ‘complexity of intimacy’, there seemed to be a fine line between feelings of intimacy, sensuality and sexuality, especially amongst the male participants. Conclusion: In the presence of an acute illness or trauma where chaos and crisis may arise, caring touch could provide trust and consolation by integrating an existential togetherness with the patient’s body, soul and spirit, thus helping the patient to restore his or her integrity. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eujim.2012.07.918
189
General features and quality of Bowen therapy
Background: Bowen therapy (BT) is a non-invasive manual therapy, named after Tom Bowen (1916–1982, Australia). Some studies concerning single criteria have been conducted within the last 10 years, but general features and qualities of BT have not yet been described. Aim: This pilot study aimed to fill this gap by conducting interviews with Bowen experts. Method: Eight semi-structured interviews with Bowen therapists were conducted, transcribed and analysed according to Meuser and Nagel. The structure of the interview was based on the results of a former quantitative study focussing on the professional background of Bowen therapists. Eight experienced therapists, three men and five women (aged between 45 and 63 years), were selected for interview using the snowball method. Results: As a successful expansion of the therapists’ spectrum of methods, BT was perceived as consisting of palpation, moves, waiting period and after-care advice. Unique features identified were minimal manual interventions and the waiting period. Therapists’ personal catalogues of ‘effectiveness’ outcomes were increased mobility, reduced pain, symptoms and medication, further empowerment of patients and sustainability of these outcomes. BT fulfils these goals. It is soft and pleasant for the patient, individual and safe, provokes fast reactions and has, if any, only transient side effects. Further, an increase of patient’s quality of life, well-being and resilience was observed. Palpation, patient communication and compliance were identified as important for therapists. Two interviewees emphasised the importance of the relationship between the patient and the therapist. As for therapists themselves, they appreciated the minimal physical effort needed to carry out BT. It was seen as a safe and stress-free method. Other training completed by the interviewees were acupuncture, cranio-sacral therapy, massage, conventional medicine or breath therapy. Two therapists believed that BT will soon become very important for athletes. All those interviewed planned to continue working with BT. Conclusion: This study shows that Bowen therapists value BT as an essential part of their work. They appreciate BT as a fast, reliable and safe method. Further research is needed to assess its effectiveness for different diagnoses or the patients’ perspectives. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eujim.2012.07.919
Poster Presentations / European Journal of Integrative Medicine 4S (2012) 124–201
which the local technician, who has been in Italy to learn, will be coordinated by the pharmacy’s student in his/her work; (5) the fifth one concerns quality and assurance control of medicinal products routinely prepared in the new galenic laboratory – the check will be carried out by University of Turin; and (6) the last one concerns the periodical stages at the new laboratory for a pharmacy’s student. Several projects are ongoing, at different stages of progress: ‘Centre Médico-Chirurgical Maternité la Bethanie’ Douala, Cameroon – Phase 6; Hospital ‘Notre Dame des Apòtres’, Garoua, Cameroon – Phase 6; Health Center ‘Le Bon Samaritain’, N’djamena sud, Tchad – Phase 6; Hospital ‘Heintsoa’, Vohipeno, Madagascar – Phase 6; Dispensario Diocesano, Ihosy, Madagascar – Phase 6; Hospital ‘Nossa Senhora de Paz’, Cubal, Angola – Phase 5; A.M.E.N. Onlus center, Funda, Angola – Phase 5; and Hospital ‘Saint Damien’, Tabarre, Haiti – Phase 5. Each laboratory so far has reached a different state of evolution. All of them are growing day by day, helped by the constant support of the entire team A.P.P.A.®, whose purpose is one of making them independent as regards both knowledge in handling galenics and economy in order to buy new raw materials using the profit from medicine sale. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eujim.2012.07.915 PP-156 Acupuncture without border: our past leading to future challenges Longo Patrizia 1 , Giambalvo Dal Ben Giovanni 2 , Canavesi Federico 1 , Majno Margherita 1 , Rossi Elisa 3 , Perini Sergio 1 1 Acupuncture
Without Border (OGN) Sanitaria Firenze, Florence 3 FISTQ (Federazione Italiana Scuole Tuina e Qigong), Milan, Italy 2 Azienda
Acupuncture Without Border (AWB) is a non-governmental organisation (OGN), a socially useful non-profit-making organisation (Organizzazione NonLucrativa di Utilita’ Sociale (ONLUS)) independent of any political and religious principles, which focusses on human rights. AWB Italy was born on May 2002 in Milan, Italy, following the example of ‘Acupuncture sans frontiers’ founded several years ago in France and Switzerland. The right to health care has been recognised all over the world for over 50 years, but, to this day, it is inaccessible to a large number of people due to the high costs of modern medicine. Acupuncture is not able to treat every disease, but studies show that more than 60% of the diseases usually seen in a dispensary can be treated exclusively with this therapeutic method. In addition, the use of acupuncture prevents the dangers of self-treatment and, once needles are sterilised, the cost of this therapy is very low. AWB performs medical missions free of cost for the teaching of basic acupuncture in developing countries that request it. Our teachers (volunteers) train physicians and paramedical personnel, with 2-week sessions to be repeated 2–3 times. The association provides all the educational and therapeutic materials. We ask trainees to agree to give free treatments to the population, once their training has been successfully com-
pleted. Our start-up was in Madagascar with a mission shared with AWB France. Our most recent mission was in Tanzania, where Furaha, an ONLUS based in Florence, asked us to cooperate in training medical personnel and nurses who work in its dispensary. Since the beginning we have modified our didactic plans according to the local needs aiming to be more effective and less intrusive as possible. Every country and society has its own culture and habits and our primary goal is to respect them. A careful study of the local health needs and logistic situation prior to our mission allows us to perform it in the best possible way. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eujim.2012.07.916 PP-157 African herbarium and Ayurvedic medicine: heritage of the CAMs De Monte Teresa Asl 3 Alto Friuli, Artegna-Udine, Italy The author desires to stimulate the health knowledge of the complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) with the help of the operators of the ONGs (non-governmental organisations)/Int. Sanitary Cooperation. In the countries of Asia, Africa, Middle East and Latin America, the ample use of phytotherapy derives not only from purely economic necessity, but also from a cultural approach, tightly connected to beliefs and ancestral rites. The understanding and comprehension of the natural local medicine (ethnomedicine), when we are on a mission, can be of great help and sometimes can help us in resolving some embarrassing situations. After all, the OMS is supporting various studies regarding the real effectiveness of plants and grass that have been used for generations to take care of numerous illnesses: from fever to inflammations, from hypertension to cardiac problems and from banal infections to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The ancestral pharmacopoeia is integrated in medicine and modern pharmacopoeia to create integrated medical systems. On the one hand, Ayurvedic medicine and the medicine of Ibn Sinha are known today, studied and applied also by the Western physician. On the other hand, African medicine is little known even if today some of the plants receive great interest in the medical field. Therefore, it is here that the local pharmacies can offer us herbs for malaria such as the leaves of the Morya or the Mklifi and the Combretum micranthum – this one was studied by the OMS and broadly used in the therapy of HIV together with Sutherlandia microphylla, bringing benefits to those sick of HIV. Meanwhile, for Hodgkin’s lymphoma and for acute lymphocyte leukemia, ethnomedicine uses Catharanthus roseus containing alkaloids (anticancer agents, e.g., vincristine and vinblastine). For inflammations the ownerships of Nerium oleander are exploited or of Lawsonia inermis, to stimulate the immune system: Ocimum gratissimum, Umphafa (African Olea) and Tombeya are used to treat inappetance; from the root of Mdungu and Mgamu a liquid is extracted which is used to treat cough; from Mklifi soap is also obtained a ’tooth brush’; a cane is used, taken by a plant
Poster Presentations / European Journal of Integrative Medicine 4S (2012) 124–201
called Mkasiri. Some plants serve for taking care of women in pregnancy; others are used to treat stomach ache.
PP-159
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eujim.2012.07.917
Kargel-Schwanhaeusser Andrea
TECHNIQUES FOR PEOPLE’S HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Praxis fuer Koerpertherapie, Berlin, Germany
PP-158 Tactile massage and healing touch –caring touch for patients in emergency care – a qualitative study Airosa Fanny 1 , Falkenberg Torkel 2 , Öhlén Gunnar 3 , Arman Maria 1 1 Karolinska
Institutet, Huddinge Institutet, Vidarinstitutet, Solna 3 Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden 2 Karolinska
Background: Stress is often associated with patients having acute illnesses or trauma after being admitted to a short-term emergency ward. Anxiety and pain may also be related to painful tests and examinations during their hospital stay. Touch is one of the oldest forms of treatments in the world and physical touch has played a central role in healing in many cultures, to be distinguished from caring touch where healing is an expression of compassion. Touch is a natural part of caring for nurses and assistant nurses. A natural part of caring is an ethical and existential aspect of nursing where the caring relationship between the nurse and patient may contribute to the patient’s healing and health recovery. In this study, caring touch, that is, tactile massage, and healing touch are used to enhance touch, together with an environment associated with highly technical medical equipment by focussing on the physical requirements of the body. Aim: To illuminate patients’ experiences and meaning in receiving caring touch, that is, tactile massage, or healing touch whilst being cared for at a short-term emergency ward after an acute illness or trauma. Methods: Twenty-five patients admitted to the short-term emergency ward participated in the study. Data were collected through individual interviews which consisted of narratives, analysed by a phenomenological–hermeneutical method. Results: Three main themes were found to be part of an encounter in an existential togetherness without illness and floating into a non-verbal peacefulness of trust, consolation and safety, daring to be spiritually in the body. A nourishing touch a feeling of being taken care of and nourished which gave a feeling of well-being with decreased pain, and a sense of stillness in being a human being. In the theme ‘complexity of intimacy’, there seemed to be a fine line between feelings of intimacy, sensuality and sexuality, especially amongst the male participants. Conclusion: In the presence of an acute illness or trauma where chaos and crisis may arise, caring touch could provide trust and consolation by integrating an existential togetherness with the patient’s body, soul and spirit, thus helping the patient to restore his or her integrity. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eujim.2012.07.918
189
General features and quality of Bowen therapy
Background: Bowen therapy (BT) is a non-invasive manual therapy, named after Tom Bowen (1916–1982, Australia). Some studies concerning single criteria have been conducted within the last 10 years, but general features and qualities of BT have not yet been described. Aim: This pilot study aimed to fill this gap by conducting interviews with Bowen experts. Method: Eight semi-structured interviews with Bowen therapists were conducted, transcribed and analysed according to Meuser and Nagel. The structure of the interview was based on the results of a former quantitative study focussing on the professional background of Bowen therapists. Eight experienced therapists, three men and five women (aged between 45 and 63 years), were selected for interview using the snowball method. Results: As a successful expansion of the therapists’ spectrum of methods, BT was perceived as consisting of palpation, moves, waiting period and after-care advice. Unique features identified were minimal manual interventions and the waiting period. Therapists’ personal catalogues of ‘effectiveness’ outcomes were increased mobility, reduced pain, symptoms and medication, further empowerment of patients and sustainability of these outcomes. BT fulfils these goals. It is soft and pleasant for the patient, individual and safe, provokes fast reactions and has, if any, only transient side effects. Further, an increase of patient’s quality of life, well-being and resilience was observed. Palpation, patient communication and compliance were identified as important for therapists. Two interviewees emphasised the importance of the relationship between the patient and the therapist. As for therapists themselves, they appreciated the minimal physical effort needed to carry out BT. It was seen as a safe and stress-free method. Other training completed by the interviewees were acupuncture, cranio-sacral therapy, massage, conventional medicine or breath therapy. Two therapists believed that BT will soon become very important for athletes. All those interviewed planned to continue working with BT. Conclusion: This study shows that Bowen therapists value BT as an essential part of their work. They appreciate BT as a fast, reliable and safe method. Further research is needed to assess its effectiveness for different diagnoses or the patients’ perspectives. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eujim.2012.07.919