Zahi Arnon

Complementary medicine for laboring women: a qualitative study of the effects of reflexology

Abstract Background Despite pharmacological interventions, labor pain and anxiety still remain a challenge, and can carry long-term psychological complications. The goal of this study was to assess the effect of reflexology on these symptoms and to explore the physical and psychological components of women’s experience associated with this treatment. Methods This qualitative study was conducted in an Israeli university hospital that offers integrative medicine services. Reflexology was offered to laboring women in the hospital, by the medical staff. In-depth, open interviews were conducted with 36 women, still in hospital, who consented to be interviewed, within 48 h after delivery. Questions referred to their labor experience with reflexology treatment. Results Of the 36 participants, 34 (94%) described a positive and empowering experience. They reported reduced pain and anxiety, and an increased sense of self-efficacy brought about by the ability to become active and manage labor. Conclusions Using reflexology as one of the complementary medicine treatment available can contribute greatly to the entire labor experience as it empowers women and increases self-confidence and ability to self-manage labor and delivery.

First, keep it safe: Integration of a complementary medicine service within a hospital

This paper sought to explore risk/safety considerations associated with the integration of a complementary medicine (CM) service within a public academic medical centre in Israel.

Nurses as boundary actors: Promoting integrative medicine in hospital wards

OBJECTIVE The objective of the research was to explore attitudes of hospital nurses toward integrative medicine (IM). DESIGN A special training program was developed in the Bnai-Zion medical center, a public hospital in Israel, where an innovative IM program was launched. METHODS 65 nurses from 22 wards were asked at the beginning and the end of the program to complete an open-ended questionnaire concerning three major aspects: 1) their attitudes toward complementary medicine and its integration, 2) the importance and impact of the training program and 3) how they perceive their potential role in promoting IM in the wards. RESULTS Nurses perceive themselves as boundary actors, who can play an important role in promoting IM within the wards. IM training programs for hospital nurses are recommended. This empowers nurses while restoring to clinical practice the essence of nursing as an integrative healing discipline.

Binding phylacteries: mind and body meet in the operating room.

Binding phylacteries: Mind and body meet in the operating room Zahi Arnon *, Zeev Loberman , Eran Ben-Arye , Elad Schiff a Complementary-Integrative Surgery Service, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel b The Emek Yezreel Academic College, Israel Vascular Surgery Department, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel d The Integrative Oncology Program, Haifa and Western Galilee Oncology Service, Lin Medical Center, Clalit Health Services, Haifa and Western Galilee District, Israel Complementary and Traditional Medicine Unit, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel