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ESF-News
ESF-Meetings
in 2011/12
| February |
26/27 |
Gent |
| May
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tbc |
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October
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21/23
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Barcelona
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| Feb
2012 |
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tba |
| May
2012 |
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tba |
Definition of
CAM
A
diverse range of
autonomous healthcare practices used for health maintenance, health
promotion, disease prevention and for the treatment of ill-health.
These practices can also be integrated for use together with
conventional medical approaches to create a broader range of healthcare
options for the public.
Professor Long has
now placed his shiatsu research reports on two public access sites so
that they are available to all. Please put the following links
onto your Association's website and forward them to anyone or
any other organisation/site that might use them.
http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/42957/
http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/42958/
Research
articl
An abstract of
Professor Long's latest publication regarding the ESF research results
entitled The
potential of
complementary and alternative medicine in promoting
well-being and critical health literacy: a prospective, observational
study of shiatsu can be
found at the link below.
Andrew F Long
School of Healthcare, University of Leeds, Room 3.10, Baines Wing,
Leeds, LS2 9UT, U
BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2009,
9:19doi:10.1186/1472-6882-9-19
The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be
found online at: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/9/19
There is
also a PDF version of the full text at the site as well and the link is
found in a column on the right hand side of the Biomedcentral page
Abstract
Background
The potential contribution of complementary and alternative medicine
(CAM) modalities to promote and support critical health literacy has
not received substantial attention within either the health promotion
or the CAM literature. This paper explores the potential of one CAM
modality, shiatsu, in promoting well-being and critical health literacy.
Methods
Data are drawn from a longitudinal, 6 months observational, pragmatic
study of the effects and experience of shiatsu within three European
countries (Austria, Spain and the UK). Client postal questionnaires
included: advice received, changes made 6 months later, clients 'hopes'
from having shiatsu and features of the client-practitioner
relationship.
Result
At baseline, three-quarters of clients (n = 633) received advice, on
exercise, diet, posture, points to work on at home or other ways of
self-care. At 6 months follow-up, about four-fifths reported making
changes to their lifestyle 'as a result of having shiatsu treatment',
including taking more rest and relaxation or exercise, changing their
diet, reducing time at work and other changes such as increased
body/mind awareness and levels of confidence and resolve. Building on
the findings, an explanatory model of possible ways that a CAM therapy
could contribute to health promotion is presented to guide future
research, both within and beyond CAM.
Conclusion
Supporting individuals to take control of their self-care requires
advice-giving within a supportive treatment context and practitioner
relationship, with clients who are open to change and committed to
maintaining their health. CAM modalities may have an important role to
play in this endeavour.
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