What is a CIM?

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (2023), complementary approaches are non-mainstream approaches used integratively with conventional medicine to complement care in a coordinated way. Integrative health refers to the use two or more interventions/modalities/approaches (i.e. medication, psychotherapy, yoga, accupuncture, probiotics) used in various combinations with the emphasis being on treating the whole person-mind and body-as opposed to only symptoms or organs. Holistic nursing recognizes the inclusion of spiritual health and ones internal and external environment.

Research continues to demonstrate the benefits of an integrative health approach in pain management, mental health, disease-related symptoms and in improving and promoting healthy behaviors.

At TheCIINDE©, we believe that healing, or coming to a place of balance and harmony, is a unique and authentic process. It encompasses our individual stories, life patterns, fears, traumas, belief systems, thoughts, ancestors, lineage, and energetic programming; and, is the sum of every single choice, lesson, and life experience we have. Therefore, we believe we should not compare any aspect of our journey to that of anyone else. We are each so bio-energetically different that our response to diet, medications, supplements and lifestyle is radically individualized. 

At TheCIINDE ©, we support individuals in recognizing and tuning into their own innate intelligence, and finding freedom in their body–mind, and spirit. True freedom occurs when we realize our boundless potential and when we observe our body’s capacity to heal itself.  

With a growing emphasis on our collective and global health, TheCIINDE© is committed to creating a global community of nurses who support, encourage, and inspire one another to enhance the overall well-being of both themselves and the collective. As we revive the heART of nursing, we envision a world where nurses honor nurses, support one another, and advocate for adopting a lifestyle where self-care is embedded in everything they do. We can shift how we reflect on our health as we care for ourselves as individuals, as families, and as a global community. We can find new and innovative ways to strengthen our commitment to caring and living wholeheartedly, while collaborating with other healthcare practitioners to promote healthy people on a healthy planet.

What to Expect

This course was created primarily for nurses, by nurses; and, therefore has a strong reference to nursing practice. Having said that, the content, information and tools are designed to benefit all healthcare practitioners interested in expanding their personal and clinical knowledge and care; and, layperson’s who want to better understand how CIMs can improve their quality of life.

As you proceed through the course, you will notice that although each module represents a different topic, the approaches and modalities complement one another! For example, Breathwork can be practised solely on its own (and, has a module dedicated solely to it); yet, add Aromatherapy to Breathwork and you are guaranteed to enhance your experience!  

Note: Most people are used to the term CAMs or Complementary and ALTERNATIVE Modalities. At TheCIINDE(C), we intentionally use the word ‘INTEGRATIVE’ instead of ‘ALTERNATIVE’. Although we do not deny that some modalities or approaches can be used as an alternative to medications or medical treatment (such as yoga, breathwork, cannabis and/or meditation for pain management), it is not our intention or mandate to suggest alternatives. We respect and are grateful for what modern medicine has to offer.  

Our intention is to educate and empower individuals so that they can make healthy choices that include approaches that support health and wellbeing and that can complement and enhance medical care when it is deemed necessary. Holistic care is prone to scepticism when it is touted an alternative. Our goal is to use terminology and approaches that integrate multiple ways of caring and achieving optimal health and well-being.