Permission for Use

Register for CEU

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Self-Management Skills

Alternative Health Care

Alternative health care, also called alternative therapy, complementary therapy, or integrative health care, has become big business over the past decade. These different terms with their different definitions accompany a vast array of therapies including exercise, biofeedback, diet, acupuncture, massage, and herbs. It is important to fully research any alternative health care option as well as discuss the potential impact it may have with a prescribed treatment. Many health care providers have become open to discussing this issue with patients as the number of people using these therapies has increased as well as some of the documented dangers ( Horstman, 1999; Sierpina, 2001).

The information on self-management skills discussed in this case is only a small portion of what is available from the literature, from a self-help course, or from the internet.