certification

Tips for Healthcare Workers Wishing to Hone their Fitness

Posted on by Joseph Gerard

woman exercising By Lucy Peters

Compared to other professions, staff in some healthcare professions (for instance, nurses) have a six times higher prevalence of back pain. Tasks such as transferring patients and operating in awkward postures can cause lumbar tissue damage and back pain, but this is only one of many health risks associated with the health profession. Employees working in healthcare can also face high rates of stress and tiredness owing to factors such as long working hours, shift work, and working in times of risk (as is the case during the global health crisis). How can physical activity help quell stress and pain and reduce injury and how can healthcare workers ensure they get the recommended number of minutes of exercise per week?

Exercise Reduces Pain and Stress

As stated in a study by Ann-Kathrin Otto and colleagues, published in the journal BMJ, the efficiency of ergonomic training and exercise when it comes to reducing pain, is well-documented. Previous studies have shown that moderate exercises (including cardiovascular and stretching exercises) reduce musculoskeletal problems, boost muscular strength, and enhance cardiovascular fitness among nursing staff. Research published by the Mayo Clinic shows that employees in medical centers report high levels of stress. Of the many natural modes of quelling this stress, just a few found to be particularly effective include general physical activity, mindfulness-based activities such as yoga, and time spent in nature.

Exercise and the Immunity

A 2020 study by researchers at the University of Bath found that regular, daily exercise benefits one’s immunity, even during tough times. It helps the immune system “find and deal with pathogens, slowing down changes that happen to the immune system with aging.” Equally important is diet. Certain foods strengthen the immune system. These include healthy Omega-3 fats, fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, and probiotic and fermented foods. When you eat is equally important; the gut has a memory and when it is expecting food, it ramps up the activity of immune cells to attack incoming ‘bad bacteria’. Sticking to regular meal times ensures these cells are able to exercise their function.

Exercise at Work

Over 50% of employees report that they have little time to exercise because of their busy work and home lives. As stated in a recent study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, one solution is to include more activity at work. In one study, ‘treadmill workstations’ – in which employees were made to work while walking, significantly increased fitness levels and BMI measurements. Another study assigned participants a mandatory activity of middle-to-high intensity workouts for around 2.5 hours a week during work hours. These incentives clearly need to be offered and organized by work organizations, but what can you do if your place of work does not adopt programs that boost employee fitness?

Individual Efforts

The key to making the most of the little time you may have is to do as much as you can. Did you know that running for just 15 minutes a day can reduce the risk of major depression by 26%? Official recommended guidelines stipulate that all individuals should complete at least half an hour of moderate intensity exercise every day. The good news is that these 30 minutes do not need to be continuous. That is, you can complete 10 minutes on your way to work, 10 minutes at lunchtime, and 10 minutes at the end of the day. You can also embrace activity in small but significant ways – including taking the stairs instead of the lift when you can. For extra health benefits, engage in vigorous activity (think cycling, jogging, or interval training) for half an hour at least three times a week. Vigorous exercise is particularly effective because it improves the efficiency of your heart and lungs, and more oxygen is delivered to your muscles.

Even if you are very inactive, becoming slightly more active can help you reap big benefits in terms of fitness and pain reduction. At the very least, aiming for around 30 minutes of moderate activity per day can help strengthen your cardiovascular system. So, too, can finding practical ways to be more active – including walking while working when possible, stretching throughout the day, and taking advantage of work breaks to be more active instead of taking a sedentary pause.

 

 

 

Please also review AIHCP’s Stress Management Consultant Certification and see if it matches your academic and professional goals.  The program in online and independent study and open to qualified professionals.

7 reasons why healthcare professionals should achieve certification

Posted on by Joseph Gerard

CERTIFICATION CONCEPTWritten By Miranda Booher

Hypnosis. Legal case management. Grief counseling. Stress management. Meditation. Spiritual counseling. There are many different areas of specialization when it comes to the vast realms of the healthcare industry.

Some allied health professional jobs require specific certification and others do not. However, if you happen to work in one of those positions that do not require specialized certification, do you really need it? 

You are the only one who can make that decision for your career, but we are going to present you seven reasons why healthcare clinicians should achieve certification.

1. Gain advanced knowledge and skills in a healthcare sub-specialty

Physicians, nurses, and other allied healthcare professionals often get into the field because they have a passion or interest in a certain field of healthcare. Perhaps you are a nurse who has always been interested in the area of spirituality. Even if you are not currently practicing as a nurse in this field, you can increase your knowledge and skills to learn more just for curiosity’s sake, or to set yourself up for an opportunity to work in that specialty in the future. 

2.  Healthcare employers require certification more frequently

Healthcare facilities’, hospitals’, and other companies’ policies about continuing education requirements are constantly evolving. Some employers who never required a certification for their employees in the past have changed their practices and now make certification mandatory for a variety of reasons. Furthermore, there can also be laws made at the state level meant to keep the public safe that require allied health professionals to obtain and hold certain credentials. 

3. Advance or expand your healthcare practice

Maybe you are a physician who wants to expand your current general practice roster of patients. Perhaps you want to offer specialized services to a certain segment of the population. Certification opens up doors as a healthcare provider to expand your practice and services to meet a wider range of patients and treat specific conditions and ailments. 

4. Gain a competitive edge and increase your marketability

Perhaps one of the biggest reasons healthcare professionals obtain a certification is to increase their employability and gain a competitive edge in the industry. Having the certification itself does not guarantee job placement, however it can definitely give you an advantage when you apply for a job in the medical industry. Even if the particular job you are applying for does not require certification, having one related to the healthcare sub-specialty, i.e. intensive care unit (ICU), geriatrics, etc., shows your dedication and demonstrates your level of expertise.

5. Be viewed as a credentialed expert in your practice specialty

Certification in a certain area exerts yourself as an expert in the field. When you are nationally-recognized for the attainment of knowledge and skills by meeting specific predetermined criteria, it demonstrates your competency as an allied healthcare professional. This recognition may help you personally or professionally, it just depends on whether it means something to you to be viewed as an expert, or if you plan on taking that position to advance your healthcare career. It can also be a combination of both. You might also use this recognition to become a part of a professional group or network with other certified healthcare specialists that practice in your specialty.

6. Show employers you stay up-to-date

By its intrinsic nature, the medical field is an industry that is constantly changing. In fact, all of the changes that have been ushered in since the beginning of this pandemic are testament to this very fact. In order to stay on your toes, it’s important to keep up with all the changes the best you possibly can. Healthcare certification is the perfect way to do just that. Most certifications not only require the base of knowledge and skills to obtain the credential, but they also include a certain number of continuing education hours annually in order to renew it. This demonstrates to employers that you are a healthcare professional who cares about continuing education and keeping up with the best practices in the industry. If you were the employer, would you not prefer to hire someone who has proven expertise in the field?

7. It speaks to who you are as a clinician

Certification in healthcare is so much more than a piece of paper. It demonstrates who you are as a person and an allied healthcare professional. It shows that you are committed to the practice, your career, and to providing the very best patient care possible. Employers look for those qualities when they are considering hiring anyone in the healthcare industry. 

Want to learn more about healthcare certification?

The American Institute of Healthcare Professionals is committed to providing opportunities for clinicians to expand their skills and knowledge base to advance their career in healthcare. You can learn more about each of the different types of certifications they provide by clicking on one of the links below. 

 

Substance Abuse Counseling: A Look at Cocaine.

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Substance Abuse Counseling: The Psychological Effects of Using Cocaine

AN ОVERVІEW:
Substance abuse counselors today are seeing more cases of cocaine abuse. The coca plant is a native to South America which has been cultivated for centuries and then refined into a substance called cocaine. This popular recreational drug is also a powerful central nervous system stimulant apart from being a mild topical anesthetic. The most popular method of consuming cocaine is to insufflate it in a powder form. It can also be injected intravenously into the bloodstream. Yet another method of consuming cocaine is to smoke crack or freebase cocaine. This allows a far more intense high that only lasts a short while.

Cocaine in a pile on a black surface
What substance abuse counseling techniques do you have for someone with a cocaine addiction?

PSYCHОLОGІCAL EFFECTS:
Cocaine causes a myriad of psychological effects. Such effects are dependent on the user and his/her tolerance to the drug. Cocaine is often used as a party drug because it causes euphoria and extreme happiness. Other effects of the drug increase its popularity with party goers. One of these effects lowers fatigue and weariness making cocaine perfect for dancing throughout the night. Like amphetamines, some use cocaine as a fuel for their work. It helps them to concentrate and stay awake and therefore work more productively for longer periods of time.
An individual’s behavior may change in many different ways after consuming significant amounts of cocaine. People on high doses of cocaine are often irritable and irrational. Hallucinations can occur as well as intense feelings of paranoia. These factors all lead to aggressive, violent and antisocial behaviors. In addition to its adverse psychological effects, cocaine takes quite the toll on the human body. The circulatory system undergoes serious adverse effects. As cocaine is introduced to the body, pupils begin to dilate and perspiration may take place. A loss of appetite and decreased desire to sleep is also common. The heart rate as well as the blood pressure increases rapidly. The risk of stroke, heart attack and seizures increases when consumption of cocaine is coupled with the rigorous physical activity.
Compared to opiate withdrawal, withdrawal from cocaine is not nearly as dangerous to the user. The neurotransmitters involved with producing the highs associated with cocaine use include norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine which also play a role in psychological function. To learn more detail regarding these effects you can seek out the consultation of a professional who has achieved substance abuse counseling certification.
WITHDRAWAL EFFECTS:
Withdrawal symptoms for cocaine include depression, anxiety, fatigue, chills, aches, pain, tremors, increased cravings, and even suicidal thoughts. Panic attacks are much more pronounced as soon as a man or woman undergoes withdrawal due to the fact there is no longer the psychologically “stabilizing” effect of the drug. Men and women undergoing withdrawal are so addicted to having “crack” on hand that they are almost mentally incapacitated by being deprived of it. This means that once the high wears off, users report feelings of sadness and depression which makes them anxious to consume the drug again or they will start experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Insomnia is also an acknowledged side effect when one is forcibly withdrawn from cocaine abuse as cocaine prevents the user from being able to sleep. Nevertheless, insomnia encountered for the duration of withdrawal has a shorter variety of impact compared with typical cases of insomnia.
Mild headaches and occasional periods of extreme fear and anxiety are also achievable signs and symptoms of prolonged abuse although they are not deemed widespread. Such symptoms can be very powerful and frightening for both the person experiencing them and those around them. Therefore, it is best to undergo withdrawal or detox under medical supervision. Cessation of cocaine abuse can also lead to paranoid thoughts, loss of sexual drive, suicidal tendencies and an overall sense of apathy. These symptoms are enough to tempt users to use cocaine just to get rid of them and such self-medication often leads to a cycle of abuse, addiction and eventually a prolonged dependency on the drug.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
The long-term risks of using cocaine are basically more serious versions of the short-term psychological effects. Extreme restlessness and anxiety can lead to a barrage of paranoid thoughts and violent mood changes. Insomnia over a longer duration of time combined with the other effects of cocaine can lead to dangerous weight loss while on the drug. A host of health problems (such as lung damage, blockage of arteries etc.) associated with insufflation can occur when cocaine is used by snorting it into the nose.
It is to be kept in mind that cocaine is indeed a dangerous drug. Ironically, the risks of consuming cocaine are downplayed significantly by its reputation as a feel-good party drug. In reality, cocaine can not only cause death after one usage but the psychological effects it imposes on addicts can certainly lead to a violent lifestyle full of paranoid delusions. Enrolling into a substance abuse education courses will help health care professionals stay on top of the new information related to cocaine abuse.
If you are interested in learning about substance abuse counseling then you might want to review our site.

Hypnotherapy and Theta Healing

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

The Basics of Hypnotherapy and Theta Healing

Hypnotherapy and theta healing refers to a set of techniques and tools which allow you to access the unconscious mind in order to change the beliefs and thoughts that are no longer useful. By accessing theta brain wave, a person can easily facilitate both psychological and physical healing. This healing is performed in a safe, fast and highly effective way, and there are no side effects whatsoever. Here you will find detailed information about theta healing and how you can use this technique in your best interest:

What Is Theta Healing And What Does It Involve?

woman being helped up
Hypnotherapy and theta healing can help anyone in need.

In a nutshell, theta healing is a healing therapy, just like spiritual meditation or Reiki practices. In theta healing, the theta master commands the Universe to facilitate the healing process (no matter if this technique is used for the healing of the body, mind or soul), and to witness the healing. With the help of theta healing, a person can create a system of beliefs and thoughts that lay at the basis of a healthy and prosperous life.

This is a hypnotherapy technique that focuses mainly on thought and prayer, and teaches people how to rely on unconditional love and natural intuition. It is believed that the brain wave cycle can be easily changed with the help of theta healing, and this technique aim to help you become a better person in the long run. Basically, this is a therapeutic self-help technique that can act on all four dimensions of our existence: spiritual, emotional, mental and physical.
In other words, theta healing aims to remove all the negative thoughts. There are numerous studies which come to support the fact that bad, toxic thoughts can affect your mental and physical health in a negative manner. This is where theta healing steps in and “alters” your thoughts and emotions in such a way that they will benefit you, instead of hurting you. Perhaps one of the most relevant examples of theta healing is the Indian fakirs, who can walk on burning coals without getting their skin burnt.

Theta Brain Wave

Theta state refers to slowing down the brain waves. This state can be achieved through deep and intense meditation and it allows the patient to reach a deep state of meditation without any prior practice. During this mental state, the patient can witness a series of miracles, and he will receive information about the beliefs and thoughts that he needs to change in order to treat and prevent various diseases of the body and soul. One who has received hypnotherapy certification often learns in their training to induce the theta brain wave.
When brain waves are slow enough, you can gain access to another world filled with creativity, an alternative and multi-dimensional reality that holds the answers to your questions. Otherwise stated, this is somehow similar to that feeling you get when you are half awake, the sole difference that when you enter the theta state, the sensory perception is not limited. This is the moment when you truly feel connected to your life, when you know that there is a higher point and you are a part of it. This is what theta healing aims to do: it aims to show you the beauty of life.
When we daydream, we basically slow down our brain waves (and this is similar to the principle of theta healing). Theta healing aims to train your brain to slow down its waves on a constant basis.

Who Can Use Theta Healing?

Basically, everybody can use this miraculous technique in order to heal himself or to help others. This is highly recommended to those who feel sad or depressed and want to improve their mood, who are looking for answers to their most ardent question, who want to achieve wisdom and enlightenment or who want to connect to the divine spirit. It is an effective technique that will change your life radically, and will make you see the things that really matter in life. You may also consider taking some hypnotherapy courses and learn how to effectively induce the theta brain state.

Conclusion

To sum up, this is what theta healing involves. It is an ancient hypnotherapy technique that makes you focus on the “full side of the glass”, it helps you purify your thoughts and desires and it controls your brain waves in such a way that you will obtain the answers you are looking for. No matter if you have questions about yourself, about God or the spiritual world, theta healing can help you get all.
If you are interested in learning about hypnotherapy and hypnosis then you need to check out our certification page here.