REFLEXIVE ANALYSIS IN REFLEXOLOGY AND MASSOTHERAPY CLIENT-CENTRED CARE, BY THE NURSING PROFESSION

Abstract

Complementary and alternative therapies (CAT) represent a relevant dimension of care in the Nursing practice. They are requested by people who seek to resolve a particular health problem or condition, and to improve their wellness and health perception. This article is a state of the art and has the purpose of sharing the reflexive analysis of alternative and complementary person-centered care, which emerges from the practice of massage and reflexology for several years by nurse professionals. Primarily, it describes the various definitions existing for complementary and alternative therapies, and then describes the connection among alternative-complementary care and the Nursing science. Afterwards, it develops the nursing process for massage and reflexology, then discusses the main aspects of person-centered care, most important factor in CAT, and finally establishes conclusions and suggestions for the Nursing practice towards these therapies.