Alternative Holistic Treatment for Sleep Disorders - Coursework Example

Holistic Methods for Treatment of Sleep Disorders s In the recent decades, various alternative methods of treatment have been gaining popularity: people suffering from different diseases often resort to alternative medicine. Moreover, alternative methods of treatment are frequently used as means of primary health care in many countries, as it is reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). According to WHO reports, “in France, 75% of the population has used complementary medicine at least once; in Germany, 77% of pain clinics provide acupuncture; and in the United Kingdom, expenditure on complementary or alternative medicine stands at US$ 2300 million per year” (WHO). Thus, WHO recognized alternative, complementary and holistic treatments methods, including osteopathy, homeopathy, bioresonance therapy, traditional Eastern medicine and other approaches. Holistic medicine is nowadays one of the most popular and recognized trends in alternative medicine. Holistic approach views a human organism as an organic whole and considers interconnection between different organs and systems. Holism as a philosophical approach is based on the belief that human health is a result of balance between mind, spirit and body and that the whole person should be treated rather than certain local disorders (Mandel, 2009). From these principles, it is clear that a disease is perceived as a consequence of misbalance between the three constituents. Therefore, practitioners of holism focus on restoration of balance and harmony between numerous interdependent systems of an organism in order to enhance a person’s health – emotional, physical and spiritual. Considering the basics of holistic medicine, it is reasonable to suppose that this approach might be helpful in treating such dysfunctions as sleep disorders, because nowadays, sleep disorders are an extremely widespread issue in many countries. “Sleep related disorders are recognized in one third of the western population” (Vidvashree et al, 2013). Due to workloads, rigid rhythm of life and stresses, sleep disturbances and disorders become a problem for a great part of adult population and even adolescents. There is a wide range of sleep disorders that includes insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep state misperception, sleepwalking, nightmares, sleep bruxism and many others. However, alternative medicine offers numerous methods aimed at improvement of overall health condition thus eliminating of sleep disorders. In this paper, six different method will be described and evaluated. Acupuncture Acupuncture is one of the most exotic and popular methods of treatment, which is rooted in ancient Chinese medicine. This method was applied around five thousand years ago and has survived till nowadays. Acupuncture foresees affecting human organs and systems with help of special acuses (medical needles). Acuses affect the human organism through certain acupuncture points, which are considered to be connected with certain organs and parts of the body. Very fine acuses – often combined with heat or small electrical stimuli – are inserted into a patient’s skin. Particularly, the studies prove that acupuncture may be helpful in treatment of such sleep disorder as insomnia. The study conducted by Sjöling, Rolleri and Englund (2008) proved that auricular acupuncture can be a factor improving sleep parameters in people who suffer from insomnia, particularly in women. Auricular acupuncture presupposes affecting the body though acupoints located on ears. Patients treated with the method of acupuncture report improvement of sleeping habits; sleep comes easier and becomes more refreshing and deep. Another study related to acupuncture as a treatment method for sleep disorders proves that use of acupuncture for three months leads to amelioration of sleep parameters in psychiatric population, particularly in patients suffering from schizophrenia and depression (Bosch et al, 2013). In addition, studies show that “improvement in sleep parameters in relation to acupuncture treatment is often found and referred to as being a positive side-effect in the treatment of other illnesses” (Sjöling et al, 2008). Yoga and meditation Yoga is probably one of the treatment methods, which resemble medical treatment the least, yet are rather efficient, as researches show. “Yoga provides a holistic approach toward mind and body and addresses physical, mental, and spiritual well-being through diverse psychophysical practices that may include physical exercises, breathing exercises, relaxation practices, and meditation practices” (Halpern et al, 2014). However, in order to improve quality of sleep, treat insomnia and other disorders it is desirable to choose gentle yoga that will tranquilize the organism instead of energizing it. Soft yoga stretching and meditation are recommended by holistic practitioners as one of the most natural treatment methods for sleep disorders. Particularly, researches show that yoga and meditation are rather efficient in treatment of sleep disorders in elderly people. As ageing process is accompanied with psychological and physiological changes in the organism, insomnia and other sleep disorders are rather common in older adults. Yoga classes aimed at treatment of sleep disorders include yogic asanas and meditative practices (Halpern et al, 2014). Asanas incorporate postures designed to enhance flexibility, awareness, balance and mobility of the body. Meditation yogic practices, in their turn help to develop breath awareness, concentration and sensory awareness and at the same time ensure general relaxation. Moreover, researches also prove that students with sleep disorders are better affected with help of yoga than with use of medicine (Vidvashree et al, 2013). Yoga has proved to enhance quality of sleep and its refreshing and energizing effect better than mediсations. Aromatherapy This ancient method is widely applied in treatment of both short- and long-term sleep disorders, especially insomnia. Use of aromatherapy is among the most popular holistic methods, which help to get rid of stress; it allows one to eliminate symptoms and fight disorders causing sleep disturbances. The current method uses ethereal oils and phytocides obtained from various plants. Oils are rubbed into skin or inhaled by the patients; balmy baths and aromatic oil massage are also rather helpful. Among aromatic oils, lavender is an approved efficient oil for fighting insomnia and improving quality of sleep. Numerous researches have been dealing with effects of aromatherapy on sleep disorders. In particular, the study conducted by Wolfe and Herzberg (1996) has proved that aromatherapy produces positive impact on sleep quality in severely demented patients. According to this study, aromatherapy reduces the necessity of sedative medications’ use for such group of patients. Use of chamomile and lavender essential oils enhanced sleep of the patients and ensured restful nights for them. Another study proves that aromatherapy with lavender oil minimizes sleep disorders as a side effect in patients undergoing hemodialysis (Najafi et al, 2014). Hypnotherapy Use of hypnosis is also believed to be an efficient treatment method for sleep disorders and particularly insomnia. In conditions of everyday stresses, conflicts, high workload lead to difficulties with relaxation and impair night sleep. In such cases, a combination of psychotherapy and medications is often used, thus hypnotherapy is used as a complementary method of treatment along with traditional clinical treatment. Hypnosis drives the human mind into a special state that helps to find causes of sleep disorders and affect them, if sleep disorders are caused by such factors as anxiety, panic disorders, depression or severe emotional stresses. Positive effect of hypnotherapy has been proved by researches, too. For instance, effect of clinical hypnosis has proved to improve quality of sleep in postmenopausal women, as Costa (2012) stated in her article. Keeping in mind the fact that hypnosis is efficient in treating anxiety as a cause of sleep disturbances, we can refer to the study of Plaskota et al (2012), which provides information of treating anxiety in palliative cancer patients with help of hypnosis. According to this study, hypnotherapy may be able to sustain a reduction in anxiety in palliative care patients, with the added benefit of improving sleep and the severity of psychological and physical symptoms” (Plaskota et al, 2012). Another evidence of hypnosis efficiency is found in the study of Hawkins and Polemikos (2002): children experiencing loss of a parent or a close family member were taught self-hypnosis technique, which eventually minimized sleep disturbances and nightmares. Phytotherapy Phytotherapy as a holistic method of treatment presupposes use of various parts of plants in treatment process: plants can be used as extractions, essences, herb teas, balms, ointments etc. This approach is based on plants’ property to support and enhance resilience of the organism due to activation of its protection functions; it is also an ancient method of treatment used in Sumerian civilization. “Herbal remedies can provide a low-risk and proven alternative to over-the-counter sleep aids, barring any physical or psychological problems requiring more involved professional treatment” (Foster, 2005). In treatment of sleep disorders, various herb teas with sedative effect are applied. However, valerian is considered the most efficient means for treating insomnia. Studies show that this plant is capable of improving deep sleep and general quality of sleep. According to Foster (2005), “more than 200 studies of valerian have been published in over the past two decades, including more than 10 controlled clinical studies”. Another herbal sleep aid, which produces positive effect, is kava. Kava is used in holistic medicine as an extraction from roots of the Polynesian plant known for the sedative effect it produces (Wheatley, 2001). According to Wheatley’s study, daily use of valerian and kava during 2 weeks each lead to positive results in sleep quality and minimization of stress severity. Moreover, these herbal remedies don’t produce any appreciable side effects (Wheatley, 2001). However, it is necessary to consider the fact that herbal remedies don’t produce impact on sleep after a single dose. Instead, long-term systematic intake (e.g. four-week course) is likely to minimize sleep disorders. Ayurveda The sixth of the most common holistic approaches to treatment of sleep disorders is Ayurveda, a traditional system of Indian medicine dating back to ancient times. This approach is based on balance of three doshas, key forming elements. Doshas are Vata (the one in charge of bodily processes and creativity), Pitta (the dosha responsible for transformation and digestion) and Kapha (the one governing matter and stability). Adherent of Ayurveda attribute sleep disorders to problems and imbalance of Vata dosha, because it controls all types of movement in the human organism, including movements in the nervous system (Dowdle, 2010). If Vata dosha is misbalanced, a person might suffer from anxiety, stresses and thus from sleep disorders including insomnia and parasomnia. Taking balance of doshas into account, Ayurveda offers numerous methods and means of dealing with sleep issues starting with certain peculiarities in diet. For instance, warm milk, tomato juice and cherries are believed to tranquilize a patient and enhance sleep quality. Moreover, Ayurveda treats insomnia with help of warm oil massage: using jasmine, jatamatnsi, sesame or brahmi oil, one should massage soles and scalp, rubbing oil into the skin. Conclusion Of course, there are many other approaches based on perception of a human being as a whole, but these are the most popular and recognized ways of fighting sleep disorders both in domiciliary and in clinical environment. All these types of treatment can be potentially used either as main treatment or as complementary methods enhancing classical treatment with medications. However, recently people have been gradually switching to holistic methods of treatment of sleep disorders, because many of them have no side effects, can be applied at home and are pleasant (like feet massage and aromatherapy). 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