Interesting reading: Homeopathic nurse skills at home, abroad | Universe.byu.edu

Nursing is an ever-adapting profession; although many healing principles remain the same over time, some new homeopathic practices are discovered that meet patients’ needs.

During spring term, students from the BYU Nursing Department have been discovering homeopathic nursing skills under the supervision of a variety of skilled practitioners all over the world.

Glenda Christiaens is the nursing faculty professor teaching the course on Integrative Healing, which is designed to help students explore healing modalities outside of traditional western medical models. Her students spend a few hours each week observing non-traditional medical mentors in fields such as chiropractic, naturopathic, herbal remedies, energy work, musical therapy and other natural practices.

“On Thursdays we meet as a class to discuss their clinical experiences, listen to guest speakers and try out modalities such as massage, Tai Chi, Yoga, music therapy, nutrition, hypnosis and herbs,” Christiaens said.

Christiaens is the president-elect of the American Holistic Nurses Association and will be taking students to and presenting at the national convention next week in Colorado Springs, Colo. In the next few months, she will also publish an article in the Journal of Holistic Medicine. She recently spent a day with her students touring the 250-acre Young Living Essential Oil Farm in Mona.

Students were introduced to various essential oils in Mona and learned about their medicinal properties. Lemon oil, students were taught, has the ability to clear your mind as well as your sinuses.

“What I teach you here will enhance what you’re learning elsewhere,” said Renae Spencer, tour guide and educational presenter at the Young Living farm. “God put everything on the earth that we need to heal physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.”

Two seniors in the nursing program, Vanessa Barr from Mesa, Ariz., and Aaron Dykstra from Tacoma, Wash., spent an afternoon recently at the Ideal Body Image Clinic in Pleasant Grove. This clinical visit was their first exposure to a non-invasive technique called “Spinal Touch.”

“I can see a lot of people would benefit from the treatment,” Barr said. “It makes a lot of sense.”

Spinal Touch practitioner Judy Moss mentored the students in her art, which can roughly be described as a cross between therapeutic massage and chiropractic. Moss has helped patients overcome challenges such as posture misalignment, obesity and chronic pain through her technique also known as the Original Biomechanics Technique.

“Judy’s great and very knowledgeable,” Dykstra said. “It’s nice to observe someone who isn’t into biomedicine. She’s done her research and has photographic evidence of her success.”

Another group of nursing students made a trip to a Navajo Indian reservation in Arizona this spring and discovered some unexpected natural healing practices. They participated in a sweat lodge ritual and also learned that a smashed termite can be used to whiten teeth.

“The sweat lodge ceremony was fascinating,” said nursing faculty mentor Leslie Miles. “Sitting on the ground … for 90 minutes was not only a sweating hot experience, but spiritually inspiring as prayers and chants were spoken in our behalf. The students now understanding medicine men’s beliefs can be merged with Western medical beliefs.”

Note, the instructor is the president elect of the AHNA.