Alternative Medicine: Mind-Body Connection, Essay Example

This article was written by Sharon Ann Cumbie (2001) and published in the April 2001, volume 15, issue 2 of the Holistic Nursing Practice Journal pages 56 -62. It appeared under a caption, ‘The Integration of Mind?Body?Soul and the Practice of Humanistic Nursing.’  Cumbie contends that there is a shift currently occurring in nursing practice. It was identified as the movement towards understanding the significance of holistic care. Further, it was advanced that this meant nurses must project authenticity in execution of care in nursing practice. This authenticity must emerge from within or the self since pateints’ healing could be affected by distortions of authenticity when care is administered (Cumbie, 2001)

In clarifying this concept the author emphasized that authenticity is important to therapeutic participation of another’s well-being because the therapeutic process in itself encompasses continuous self-reflection as well as modified actions. Importantly, individuals are given opportunities to develop harmonious relationships both internally and externally. If the nurse who facilitates the intervention is not authentic with him/herself then the therapy would not be effective. Precisely, the nurse reflects what mind is occupied with at the time because this is the mind body connection that exits in reality (Cumbie, 2001).

An important concept the author  seems to be  communicating to nurses and the public that mind body integration is now important than ever before because pateints do not only depend on nurse to administer medications; complete a dressing or insert a catheter. The attitude of mind transfers energy that will either create healing or death. Therefore, the holistic approach towards patient care is not solely the patient’s responsibility, but nurses’ too( American Holistic Nurses Association, 2014).

A strong emphasis was placed on articulation of self in twenty-first century nursing care practice. This scientific evolution does not only offer new approaches to nursing intervention, but personal development through a refined attitude concerning life itself (Cumbie, 2001).

References

American Holistic Nurses’ Association (2014).  AHNA. Retrieved on June 6^th, 2014 from http://www.ahna.org/

Cumbie, A. (2005). The Integration of Mind?Body?Soul and the Practice of Humanistic Nursing  Holistic Nursing Practice Journal, 15(2); 56 -62.