Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a term referred to the psychotherapy treatment that changes patterns of thinking or behaviour that are behind people's difficulties.It is used to help treat a wide range of issues in a person’s life, from sleeping difficulties or relationship problems, to drug and alcohol abuse or anxiety and depression.
This therapy focuses on the thoughts, images, beliefs, and attitudes that people have and how the cognitive process relate to the way a person behaves, as a way of dealing with emotional problems.
With this statements we can say that CBT can be a combination of psychotherapy and behavioral therapy. Psychotherapy emphasizes the importance of the personal meaning we place on things and how thinking patterns begin in childhood. Behavioral therapy pays close attention to the relationship between our problems, our behavior and our thoughts.
CBT is based on a model or theory that express the following idea: If our thoughts are too negative, it can block us seeing things or doing things that don’t fit – that disconfirm – what we believe is true. Feeling distressed, in some cases, may distort one’s perception of reality. Dr. Beck, the father of CBT, suggested that these thinking patterns are set up in childhood, and become automatic and relatively fixed.
This therapy mainly say that this negative things can and do happen. But when we are in a disturbed state of mind, we may be basing our predictions and interpretations on a biased view of the situation, making the difficulty that we face seem much worse. CBT helps people to correct these misinterpretations.Cognitive-behavioral therapy acts to help the person understand that this is the correct way to going on.
Expressing oneself through a drawing, painting, sculpture, or collage makes our thoughts, feelings, and ideas tangible and communicates what we sometimes cannot say through words alone, this is very important and we can do it in a therapeutic way called art therapy.
Even if you believe you can not draw a straight line, you have the capacity to use the creative process. Art therapy uses simple art activities to help people express themselves and develop a sense of well-being; additionally, the main idea of this therapeutic process is the creativity that you have and the product, but we need to emphasize that art therapy is also an avenue of communication of feelings, thoughts and experiences.
This kind of therapy is commonly used on children and also, it is confused with play therapy because the specialist on this two types of therapeutics process mix the activities to created a special and dynamic relationship with their patients.
The product that art therapy produce are tangible in most cases and this is used for the therapist to help and to understand visually express and record experiences, perceptions, feelings and imagination, among other; they use their vast knowledge of arts-based approaches to enhance young clients’ ability to communicate through creative expression.
Art therapy “works” with the following principles:
Non-Verbal: its simplest definition, art expression is a form of non-verbal communication. For children who may not be able to articulate thoughts, sensations, emotions or perceptions, it is one way to convey what may be difficult to express with words.
Sensory-based: means that it allows the children to experience themselves and communicate on multiple levels (visual, tactile, kinesthetic, etc.)
Growth and Development: as we say before art expressions provide useful information on development in children, especially young clients who are 10 years or younger, because differences in artistic development can help us understand something about a child’s emotional experiences, cognition and sensory integration.
Self-Regulation: Some sensory characteristics of art making seem to be effective in improving mood, sensory integration, and calming the body and mind.
Meaning-Making: the patient can express metaphor or experiences through art expression, so with the guidance of a specialist, these narratives can tell us about some traumatic experiences or disorders on the patient.
Right-Hemisphere-to-Right Hemisphere: It is about the patient-specialists´ relationship.
There are some simple art activities that anyone can do:
Try to draw something on a sketchbook or sheet anytime you feel stress or anxious, (using colors, shapes and lines to describe how you are feeling today).
Simply doodle or draw whatever comes to your mind.
If drawing does not stimulate your creative juices, collect magazine pictures, postcards and photos that are soothing to you. Using scissors and glue, make a collage of your images on a large sheet of paper or cardboard.
Music is an important part of daily life, people commonly use music to do or made daily activities; for example when they’re cooking a meal, taking a shower, or folding the laundry. For this reason and many others, music is often linked to mood; we know that a certain song can make us feel happy, sad, energetic, or relaxed, because music can have such an impact on a person’s mindset and well-being.
With this affirmative points, It is not a surprise that music therapy has been studied for use in managing numerous medical conditions. Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions with a therapeutic objective to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. the specialist in this area realize a diagnosis to catch the different needs of each patient. Then, the qualified music therapist provides the indicated treatment including creating, singing, moving to, and/or listening to music.
Some of the benefits of this therapeutic context are:
Patients' abilities are strengthened and transferred to other areas of their lives.
Music therapy also provides avenues for communication that can be helpful to those who find it difficult to express themselves in words.
All forms of music may have therapeutic effects, although music from one's own culture may be most effective
It can help us with some special cases, for example: Autismspectrum disorder (ASD),dementia, depression or depressive disorder, sleep quality, infant development, etc.
We need to be careful because just as certain music can help induce relaxation and peaceful states, other music may cause agitation. For example, classical music has been found to cause comfort and relaxation while rock music may lead to discomfort.
On therapeutic ways music may be used with guided imagery to produce altered states of consciousness that help uncover hidden emotional responses and stimulate creative insights. other uses are:
Music in the classroom to aid children in the development of reading and language skills.
Music to create a different environment in a specific situation, as a physical exercise class, a test, a hospital, etc.
Animals have an important role on human life, and they can help us not only with a form of nourishment for our bodies, they also can help us psychologically and emotionally. It is not a new idea to use animals on the process of mental ealing in human therapy, this is nowadays called Animal Assisted Therapy.
Animal-assisted therapy is a therapeutic complementary intervention that incorporates animals, such as horses, dogs, cats, pigs, and birds, into the treatment plan.
AAT has roots with ancient Greeks, they were the first to use animals, specifically horses and currently pets animals are used to reduce the levels of anxiety and stress in adult and youth psychiatric patients. The first formal research into Animal-Assisted Therapy was made during the 1960s, Dr, Boris Levinson found that his dog had a positive effect on mentally impaired young patients and he discovered that this patients were more comfortable and likely to socialize with his dog than with others humans.
This therapy works because animals can provide a sense of calm, comfort, or safety and divert attention away from a stressful situation. Some of the benefits that AAT has a very important role on the quality of human life as the followings:
They can help people to stabilize their emotions, and improve their communication, self-regulation, and socialization skills.
Studies shown that owning a pet can help you live a longer, happier and healthier life.
Animals can reduce the risk of heart disease, specially dogs.
They can reduce feelings of depression and loneliness, especially on children or young people.
Pets ease aggression presented by those with dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Animals are great for teaching children responsibility and reducing a child’s risk of allergies and asthma.
Aromatherapy is an alternative therapy that uses essential oils to help, improve and balance you (emotionally and physically), while helping you to take time out for yourself, even for a moment. Aromatherapy uses natural plant extracts to promote health and well-being. Sometimes it is called essential oil therapy.
The aromas experienced through aromatherapy and essential oils have a dynamic effect on the mind and body. You can use essential oils in any number of ways; for example you can use with body lotions, facial toner, shampoo, or conditioner. On a physical level, essential oils help to ease muscular aches and pains, improve circulation, ease sinus congestion and act as a strong antioxidant.
Aromatherapy is thought of as both an art and a science. Recently, aromatherapy has gained more recognition in the fields of science and medicine.
Aromatherapy commonly used the followings products: diffusers, aromatic spritzers, inhalers, bathing salts, body oils, creams, or lotions for massage or topical application, facial steamers, hot and cold compresses, clay masks, among others.
Aromatherapy has a lot of benefits such manage pain, reduce stress, agitation or anxiety. It can be used to treat headaches and migraines, respiratory problems and others illnesses. However, we need to remember that side effects of using essential oils include rashes, nausea, allergic reactions, etc; so the specialist need to be careful and also prepare for this situations.
Hydrotherapy is the use of water for health purposes; also, it is called as water therapy, hydrotherapy, treatments as saunas, steam baths, foot baths, contrast therapy, hot and cold showers, among others. In many European countries, hydrotherapy takes place in spa water, because they suggest that mineral content of the water may make a difference, other studies show that hydrotherapy has significant benefits.
Hydrotherapy can help you on different ways:
The warmth of the water allows your muscles to relax and eases the pain in your joints, helping you to exercise.
The water can be used to provide resistance to moving your joints.
Scientific studies have shown that hydrotherapy can improve strength and general fitness in people with various types of arthritis. It is effective and you can start slowly and gradually build up your strength and flexibility. Adsicionally, alternating hot and cold water, you can decrease inflammation and stimulate circulation and lymphatic drainage.
Types of hydrotherapy
Watsu.
Sitz bath.
Warm water baths.
Steam bath or Turkish bath.
Sauna.
Compresses.
Wraps.
Contrast hydrotherapy.
Warming socks.
Hot fomentation.
Hydrotherapy pool exercises.
Precautions
Hydrotherapy may not be appropriate in certain circumstances:
Cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure.
Fever.
Inflammation (Warming may not be recommended for acute injuries).
Nowadays, it is common used phrases as complementary therapy and alternative therapy, traditional medicine, etc; but they are different things.
A complementary therapy means you can use it alongside your conventional medical treatment. It may help you to feel better and cope better with others treatments, improving your quality of life.
There are many different types of complementary therapy, including:
Aromatherapy
acupuncture
herbal medicine
massage therapy
visualisation
Yoga
An alternative therapy is generally used instead of conventional medical treatment. There is no scientific evidence to show that this therapies can replace medical treatments; for this reason, they can be a risk for the patient.
We need to remember that there are several different terms commonly used to describe complementary or alternatives therapies. You may see therapies described as:
Kinesio Tape, also called Kinesio Tex Tape, is the original elastic adhesive tape developed by Dr. Kenzo Kase in 1979. It is latex-free, hypoallergenic and wearable for days at a time. Additionally, it can be used in athletes, pediatric patients, among other necessary cases.
This tape alleviates discomfort and facilitates lymphatic drainage by microscopically lifting the skin. Kinesio Tape has the ability to re-educate the neuromuscular system, reduce inflammation, prevent injury and promote good circulation, and assist in returning the body to homeostasis. With the utilization of single “I” strips or modifications in the shape of an “X”, “Y” or other specialized shapes as well as the direction and amount of stretch placed on the tape at time of application, however; we need to remember that the findings of the clinical evaluation or assessment dictate the specifics of the Kinesio Tape application and other possible treatments or modalities.
One of the many benefits of kinesiology tape is to provide structural support for weak or injured muscles or joints. While it is not recommended for severe injuries because of its elasticity, it can be used effectively to prevent potentially harmful ranges of motion and to improve static or dynamic postures; for this reason is common see it on athletes who are in competition. The key in the treatment of any clinical condition are the evaluation and assessment, this assessment should include manual muscle testing, range of motion testing, gait assessment, and any other orthopedic special tests that you deem necessary. It can be used in conjunction with a multitude of other treatments and modalities within your clinic and is effective during the rehabilitative and chronic phases on an injury as well as being used for preventative measures.
The specialist can applied the Kinesio Tape with 3 steps::
Step 1: Preload the muscles by placing the affected area into a position of maximal stretch. Take your time; once, the maximal stretch has been achieved, this position should be held throughout the taping.
Step 2: Apply one or more “decompression” strips directly over the most painful areas.
Step 3: Apply “stabilization” strips around the perimeter of the affected area. This is a good place to use Y-strips.
The Physiotherapy has many concepts that sometimes, when we go to the specialist, we do not understand. On this space, we are going to learn a little of some words that physiotherapists use daily with a patient:
-Abduction - A movement of a limb away from midline or the center of the body.
-Adduction - A movement of a limb toward midline or the center of the body.
-Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) - refer to daily self-care activities like bathing, dressing, toileting, feeding and meal preparation.
- Ataxia - Muscular incoordination especially manifested when voluntary muscular movements are attempted. - Bilateral - Pertaining to two sides of the body, as in: both arms or both legs.
-Cartilage- It is connective tissue that covers the ends of bones and acts as a cushion to absorb shock and a smooth surface to decrease friction between two or more bones in a moving joint.
- Contracture - occurs when a joint loses motion due to structural changes in the muscle, ligaments or tendons. Contractures are common in stroke as a result of lack of movement.
- Core - Pertaining to the trunk (primarily abdominals and back).
- Deformity - A major difference in the shape of a body part compared to what is normal for that body part. Deformity is most often seen in arthritis and sometimes in severe burn cases.
- Dissociation - To separate. For example: one extremity/limb performs a movement without the other extremity doing the same or similar movement at the same time.
- Distal - Farthest from the center, from midline or from the trunk.
- Extension - A straightening or backward movement of the spine or limbs.
- External rotation - An outward turning of the limb away from the body.
- Fine motor - the action involving the small muscles of the hands, as in handwriting, sewing or knitting.
- Flexion - A bending or forward movement of the spine or limbs.
- Gross Motor - Refers to movement of large muscle groups.Gross motor involves the larger muscle groups of the body to perform bigger movements such as walking or kicking a ball.
- Hamstrings - A muscle group on the back of the thigh that can bend/flex the knee and straighten/extend the hip.
- Hyperextension - Excessive movement in the direction of extension.
- Hypermobility - Movement beyond normal range of motion.
- Hypertonic - Muscle tone higher than normal; resistance to passive movement; in extreme form = spasticity.
- Hypotonic - Less than normal tone; floppy.
- Internal rotation - An inward turning of the limb toward the body.
- Instability - Lack of firmness in weight-bearing. Difficulty maintaining weight bearing.
- Kyphosis - An increased convexity in the curvature of the thoracic spine (hunchback).
- Ligaments- they are the soft tissues that hold two or more bones together.
- Lordosis - An anterior/forward curvature of the lumbar and cervical vertebrae (spine). An increase is often referred to as “sway-back”.
- Lumbar - Pertaining to the low back.
- Motor Control - The ability of the Central Nervous System to regulate or direct the musculoskeletal system in a purposeful act.
- Motor Planning - The ability to organize and perform movement in a meaningful manner.
- Prone - Lying on the belly, face down.
- Proprioception - The awareness of posture, movement, changes in equilibrium, and the knowledge of position, weight, and resistance of objects in relation to the body. Sensed by muscles, tendons, and soft tissue.
- Proximal - Nearest to the point of attachment or center of the body.
- Quadriceps - A large muscle group on the anterior/front surface of the thigh responsible for knee extension.
- Range of Motion - A measure of the amount of movement/motion available at any given joint of the body.
- Reflex - An involuntary/automatic response to a stimulus.
- Sacral - The triangular-shaped bone below the lumbar spine formed, typically, by the fusion of 5 vertebrae.
- Spasticity - Hypertension of muscles causing stiff and awkward movements.
- Supine - Lying on the back, face up.
-Tactile Defensiveness - A negative response or increased sensitivity to touch.
- Tendon- It is the non-contractile unit that transmits the force of the muscle to the bone. Tendons connect muscles to bones.
- Thoracic - Pertaining to or affecting the chest or upper back.
- Tone (muscle) - The degree of tension normally present in the resting state of a muscle.
