Date of Award

5-28-2020

Document Type

Restricted Access Thesis

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Lisa VanGetson APRN, DNP, FNP-C

Second Advisor

Laura Wentworth APRN, DNP, CNS

Third Advisor

Joyce P. Miller DNP, RN

Abstract

Migraine headaches are characterized by excruciating pain which may make migraineurs miss days of work, social responsibilities such as family and community involvement, and experience a reduced quality of life as a result. Migraines are difficult to diagnose and treat, and many migraineurs use alternative therapies for prevention. Yoga has been shown to improve duration, frequency, and severity of migraines while helping reduce depression and medication usage (John et al., 2007). Energy healing, such as Healing Touch, has been shown to improve chronic pain over time and even enrich subjects lives by providing transformative emotional and psychological changes (Sutherland et al., 2009). Energy Medicine Yoga, created by Lauren Walker (2014) is a combination of both yoga and energy healing and may have a positive synergistic effect on migraines. There is no available research at this time on Energy Medicine Yoga (EMY). Margaret Newman’s theory, Health as Expanding Consciousness, relates to the disease and healing process of migraines. In this project, the author created an EMY class specifically for those who experience migraines. The class was advertised and offered in a community setting in Rochester, Minnesota. Participants were given a handout that illustrates the EMY sequence and provided them with a tool for further home practice. Participants were asked to fill out pre and post questionnaires to help the author evaluate the perceived effectiveness of EMY on migraines. This project has inspired the author to imagine providing integrative treatments to patients with all types of illnesses and offering yoga classes as an adjunct therapy to her patients when she graduates with her Doctor of Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner degree.

Identifier

SC 11.DNP.2020.Slace.C

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