Chapter 21: Complementary & Alternative Therapies in Pediatrics

Complementary & Alternative Therapies in Pediatrics emphasizes the critical role of the nurse in respecting cultural diversity while ensuring patient safety through rigorous health history assessments, particularly regarding the use of Natural Health Products (NHPs) regulated by Health Canada’s Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate. The text details the integration of Indigenous traditional healing, including the symbolism of the medicine wheel, smudging, and sweat lodges, alongside a wide array of mind-body and manipulative practices. Key modalities explored include massage therapy, osteopathy, and cultural practices like coin-rubbing (cao-gio), which clinicians must distinguish from physical abuse. The discussion extends to energy therapies such as acupuncture, acupressure involving meridians and dermatomes, reflexology, and the use of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS). Significant attention is given to biological-based therapies, specifically the pharmacology of herbal remedies like Echinacea and St. John’s wort, outlining potential adverse drug interactions and the necessity of discontinuing specific herbs two weeks prior to surgery to prevent hemodynamic instability. Furthermore, the chapter addresses current controversies and safety concerns regarding pediatric homeopathy, the risks of cannabis use on the developing adolescent brain, and the specific applications of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). The content underscores the necessity for healthcare providers to practice cultural safety, provide evidence-informed education to families, and navigate the complex intersection of holistic healing and standard pediatric care.