Alternative & Western Medicine FAQs
A: Western medicine (Allopathic, Conventional), is common in Western societies, is grounded in scientific research and evidence-based principles. Its approach to disease involves diagnosis through medical history, physical exams, and various diagnostic tools, with specialists across different fields. Prescription medications and surgical procedures, regulated for safety and efficacy, are commonly used for treatment and symptom management. Though effective for acute and serious issues, Western medicine primarily targets physical health and symptomatic relief, differing from traditional and alternative medicine philosophies.
A: Although Western Medicine (also called Allopathic or Conventional Medicine) is the go to for many/most people, it it not without its issues such as:
● Over reliance on pharmaceutical interventions: over prescribing, dependency, and potential side effects. There is a growing awareness of the need to explore alternative approaches and reduce reliance on pharmaceuticals whenever possible.
● Western medicine often focuses on treating symptoms rather than addressing the underlying causes of diseases. This approach may lead to temporary relief but may not always result in long-term health improvements or prevention.
● Limited emphasis on preventive care: Western medicine tends to focus more on diagnosing and treating diseases after they have already developed, rather than placing a strong emphasis on proactive measures and preventive care. The importance of lifestyle changes, nutrition, and holistic approaches to maintain health and prevent diseases is increasingly recognized.
● Fragmented healthcare system: In many Western countries, the healthcare system can be fragmented and centered around specialized care. This can result in a lack of coordination and continuity of care, potentially leading to inefficiencies, miscommunication, and disjointed treatment plans.
● Cost and accessibility: Western medicine can be costly, making healthcare services less accessible to individuals without adequate insurance coverage. High healthcare costs can create barriers to receiving necessary treatments and medications, leading to health disparities and inequities.
● Side effects and risks of medical interventions: While medical interventions such as surgeries, medications, and treatments can be life-saving, they also carry risks and potential side effects. Balancing the benefits and risks is crucial, and informed consent and thorough risk assessment are important considerations.
A: Complementary medicine refers to a broad set of health care practices that are not part of a country’s own tradition or conventional medicine and are not fully integrated into the dominant health care system. They are used in conjunction with (“complement”) conventional therapies, hence the term “complementary”. They can overlap “Alternative Medicine”. These practices may encompass a wide range of therapies, for example:
● Acupuncture: An ancient Chinese practice where thin needles are inserted into the skin at specific points to alleviate pain and various physical, mental, and emotional issues.
● Animal-Assisted Therapy: The use of animals, like dogs or horses, to help individuals cope with or recover from health problems.
● Chiropractic: A therapy focused on the structure of the body, particularly the spine, aiming to alleviate a variety of health issues, including but not limited to back pain.
● Homeopathy: A system of natural medicine that treats the individual with highly diluted substances with the aim of triggering the body’s natural system of healing.
● Mind-body therapies: Techniques designed to enhance the mind’s capacity to affect bodily functions and symptoms, such as meditation and mindfulness.
● Yoga and Tai Chi: Movement therapies that combine specific postures, breathing exercises, and meditation to improve physical and mental health.
In the context of healthcare, complementary medicine is often used alongside conventional medicine in an integrated approach, commonly referred to as complementary and integrative medicine. The goal is the wellness of the whole person — mind, body, and spirit — and to promote health and wellness. As always, it’s important to discuss anything with your healthcare provider to ensure they’re safe and appropriate for your individual health circumstances.
A: Alternative medicine refers to a wide range of health therapies that are not considered part of conventional or mainstream medicine. They’re typically used in place of conventional medicine, hence the term “alternative”. It’s important to note that their effectiveness is not always supported by scientific evidence to the same extent as conventional medical treatments. They can overlap “Complementary Medicine”. Moreover, not all alternative therapies are safe, and they may have side effects. Examples include
● Acupuncture: An ancient Chinese therapy that involves inserting fine needles at specific points on the body.
● Aromatherapy: The therapeutic use of essential oils extracted from plants to improve physical and emotional well-being.
● Biofeedback: A technique that teaches individuals to control bodily processes that are usually automatic, like heart rate or blood pressure, to improve health.
● Diet-based therapies: Such as vegetarianism, veganism, or the Mediterranean diet, that focus on dietary choices to improve health and prevent disease.
● Energy Therapies: Practices like Reiki or Healing Touch that aim to manipulate energy fields to promote healing and wellness.
● Homeopathy: A system of natural medicine that involves treating the individual with highly diluted substances to trigger the body’s natural healing response.
● Hypnotherapy: The use of hypnosis for a variety of issues, including phobias, addiction, and anxiety.
● Music or Art Therapy: Therapeutic approaches that utilize music or art to promote emotional, psychological, and physiological healing.
● Naturopathy: An approach that focuses on natural remedies, lifestyle modifications, and the body’s self-healing capacity.
● Reflexology: A therapy that applies pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, or ears, believed to correspond to different body organs and systems.
Before trying any alternative medicine, it’s important to talk with your healthcare provider. While some services can complement medical treatment, others might interfere with them. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure the safety and appropriateness for your specific health situation.
A: Use of whole plants—Herbalists generally use unpurified plant extracts containing several different constituents. It is believed these can work together synergistically so that the effect of the whole herb is greater than the summed effects of its components. They also claim that toxicity is reduced when whole herbs are used instead of isolated active ingredients (“buffering”). Although two samples of a particular herbal drug may contain constituent compounds in different proportions, practitioners claim that this does not generally cause clinical problems. There is some experimental evidence for synergy and buffering in certain whole plant preparations, but how far this is generalisable to all herbal products is not known.
Herb combining—Often, several different herbs are used together. Practitioners say that the principles of synergy and buffering apply to combinations of plants and claim that combining herbs improves efficacy and reduces adverse effects. This contrasts with conventional practice, where polypharmacy is generally avoided whenever possible.
Diagnosis—Herbal practitioners use different diagnostic principles from conventional/Westerm practitioners. Their domain is more on prevention, the general wellness of the whole person, etc. Doctors usually focus on the complaint(s) specifically brought by the patient
Herbal practitioners take case histories and perform an examination. Patients are asked to describe their medical history and current symptoms. Particular attention may be paid to the state of everyday processes such as appetite, digestion, urination, defecation, and sleep. Patients are then prescribed individualised combinations of herbs. These are usually taken as tinctures (alcoholic extracts) or teas. Syrups, pills, capsules, ointments, and compresses may also be used. Oral preparations can taste and smell unpleasant.
In addition to the herbal prescription, practitioners may work with their clients to improve diet and other lifestyle factors such as exercise and emotional issues. Follow up appointments occur after two to four weeks. Progress is reviewed and changes made to drugs, doses, or regimen as necessary.
Although herbal preparations are widely used as self medication for acute issues, practitioners of herbal medicine tend to concentrate on wellness issues. Herbalists do not tend to deal with acute mental or musculoskeletal disorders.
