Acupuncture: An Alternative Therapy for Pain Relief
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acupuncture
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a procedure used to treat pain by inserting extremely thin, sterilized needles, sometimes electrified with low-voltage, along the network of 12 body meridians (channels) to connect the different levels from the organs to the skin.
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alternative therapy
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a therapy that is used in place of conventional therapy. Often this therapy is experimental or has not been approved as a credible therapy.
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apprenticeship
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a training or learning period; study under the guidance of a skilled, experienced worker. A period of time when one is bound by an agreement to learn some trade or craft.
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apothecaries
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an early term for pharmacist; one who dispenses drugs and medications.
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ayurvedic medicine
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the traditional healing system of India that addresses mental and spiritual well-being and physical health. Ayurveda identifies three types of energies that are present in all beings; vata, pitta, and kapha and believe that imbalances in any of these areas can cause disease.
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biofeedback
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a method, usually with the help of electronic equipment, that enables a person to learn to control otherwise involuntary bodily functions.
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caduceus
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a medical symbol depicted by a staff with a serpent coiled around its shaft. The wand of hermes or mercury; used as a symbol of the medical profession.
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complementary therapy
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therapy used in addition to traditional therapies.
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doctor of medicine (MD)
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an individual who has met all the requirements in the state to become licensed as a medical doctor.
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doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO)
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a doctor licensed by the state to practice medicine. These practitioners place special emphasis on the body's musculoskeletal and nervous systems, preventative medicine, and holistic patient care, and patient education.
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Doctorate
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Persons that hold doctoral degrees have attained advanced knowledge through higher education in disciplines such as nursing, mathematics, education, chemistry, philosophy, and so on and have the right to be addressed as doctor.
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Epidemic
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a disease affecting large numbers of individuals in a population.
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Guilds
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an association of persons engaged in a common trade or calling for mutual advantage and protection. Medicine was divided into three guilds during the 1700's; Surgeons, Barbers, & Apothecaries.
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Hippocratic oath
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the oath taken by a doctor bonding him to observe the code of medical ethics contained in the oath by Hippocrates in the 4th century.
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homeopathy
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a 200-year-old system based on the Law of Similars, meaning that if a dose of a substance can cause a symptom, that same substance in miniscule amounts can cure the symptom.
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hospitalist
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works with patients admitted to the hospital. These individuals work in many different departments and reduce the load of hospital visits for the primary care provider and specialist.
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magnet therapy
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a therapy which involves placing small magnets close to the skin in order to correct imbalance.
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midlevel practitioner
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healthcare providers such as a nurse practitioner or physician's assistant; they are able to examine patients, order diagnostic tests and prescribe certain types of medications, activities for midlevel practitioners are usually directed and/or dictated by a supervising physician.
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naturopathy
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a multidisciplinary approach to health care based on the belief that the body has power to heal itself. Treatment is based on assessment of the correct diet, rest, relaxation, exercise, fresh air, clean water, and sunlight the patient is receiving.
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nurse anesthetist
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an RN who is certified to administer anesthesia.
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nurse midwife
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a nurse trained in the delivery of babies.
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nurse practitioner
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a midlevel practitioner that is able to examine patients, order diagnostic tests and prescribe certain types of medication. Usually supervised by a physician but may work independently in some states. An RN with advanced clinical experience and education in a special branch of practice.
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Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
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a bill passed in 2010 intended to expand access to health insurance, provide additional consumer protections and reduce cost of health care.
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phlebotomist
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a health care worker who specializes in obtaining blood samples.
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placebo effect
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the fact that some people respond favorably to a known ineffective treatment because they believe it is working.
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plague
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a deadly epidemic or pestilence. Potentially infectious life-threatening diseases, usually transmitted by bites of rodent fleas to humans.
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provider
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an individual licensed to examine, diagnose and prescribe treatment to patients seeking assistance.
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physician assistant (PA)
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a person trained in certain aspects of the practice of medicine to provide assistance to the physician.
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reciprocity
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a physician who has been licensed in one state and wishes to move to another state may be granted a license by reciprocity if it is determined that the original licensure requirements are equal to or more stringent to the requirements of the new state.
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revocation
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to cancel, withdraw, take back.
