Table 2 Additional areas of lifestyle/health behaviour change supported by acupuncturists (content analysis of open text responses)
Main Areas | Sub-categories | Quote |
|---|---|---|
Emotional/Cognitive Regulation. Many of the additional areas of lifestyle change were related to methods of emotional/cognitive regulation. Some of these can clearly be considered as lifestyle behaviours (e.g. adopting a regular meditation practice) but some were specific cognitive strategies (e.g. changing mind-set) | Relaxation/Stress Reduction techniques. Specific practices which aim to reduce the individuals’ perception or experience of stress (distinct from avoiding stress or generally relaxing). | “Relaxation techniques as he suffers with stress related migraine” |
Meditation/Mindfulness | “I sometimes suggest they look at using apps such as Insight Timer for guided meditations or other tools that may help them to manage their symptoms” | |
Qigong, breathing or yoga practices | “… eventually settling on qigong as a calming practice he can do on his own” | |
Mind-set/Cognitive strategies | “And changing negative thought patterns - encouraging people to be kinder to themselves and see the good in what they do rather than focusing on what they do wrong” “… constructive re-framing of thoughts and ideas” | |
Stress Management through Daily Life Patterns Another set of lifestyle changes related to making adjustments to everyday life, such as work, relationships and rest, in order to reduce psychosocial stress. | Work (or work/life balance) | “Work issues, maybe needing time off or cutting down.” “Reducing their workload and subsequent stress levels” |
Relationships Change to social life/difficult personal relationships | “Patient cares for a very disabled daughter which is very stressful for her. Talked with her about having some respite care for the daughter.” “To include fun and social contact in their life.” | |
Rest General time for self, for rest and relaxation | “A lot of patients leading very busy lifestyles and do not rest properly. Help try and emphasise the importance of rest” | |
Hobbies | “She was very aware of diet and exercise. I recommended art classes to help with relaxation and mood” “Find something that make them relaxed and happy and do it regularly” | |
Time outdoors/in nature | “getting out at lunch time to get some daylight and fresh air as the evenings draw in.” | |
Reduce use of tech/screens | “Increasingly, reduction in time online and general screen use.” | |
Self-Care Treatments This set of lifestyle changes were very specific self-care practices which were often adopted as methods for treating a condition (likely temporarily). | Postural exercise, rehabilitation exercises and repetitive strain corrections | “posture and positioning when using computer” “I often recommend pelvic floor muscle training to help with movement and bladder problem” |
Products and other treatments (e.g. herbal teas, supplements, self-massage) | “Abdominal massage, warming foods and teas” | |
Temperature regulation (protection from cold/wind/heat/damp) | “Moving from a very damp house.” |