Expert Blogs

East Meets West: Integrating Complementary Medicine into Your Care

 Email

Share

Comments (0)

Key Points

• Over 40% of the US population has used complementary medicine.
• Examples of these therapies include herbal medicines and dietary supplements, massage, chiropractics, acupuncture, self-help groups, energy healing and homeopathy.
• Americans spend over $27 billion in out-of-pocket expenditures on complementary medicine therapies.
• Complementary medicine accounts for 600 million office visits a year compared to 350 million total visits to all primary care providers in the US.
• Only one-third to one-half of people inform their provider about their complementary medicine use.
• Up to two-thirds of people using complementary medicine are women.

What is Complementary Medicine?

There is a wide array of different health care systems that exist in the world, which are utilized by a variety of practitioners in many settings. Since these systems are not commonly taught to medical doctors in medical schools, they must called “alternative” or “complementary” medicine. In the United States and Europe, the most widely used systems include:

• Traditional Oriental Medicine. Also referred to as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this emphasizes the proper balance of qi (pronounced “chi”), or vital energy, in health and disease. Traditional oriental medicine consists of a group of techniques and methods, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage and qi gong. Diagnosis is based on identifying similar patterns in multiple diagnostic methods which include the patient's history, and an examination of the pulse, tongue, and abdomen. Treatment is individualized. Consequently, 10 patients with tension headache may receive 10 different treatments.
• Homeopathic Medicine. This system is based on the principle that like cures like—in other words, a substance that produces symptoms of an illness in large doses will cure the illness in small doses. Homeopathic physicians use small doses of specially prepared plant extracts and minerals to stimulate the body's defense mechanisms and healing processes in order to treat illness. Diagnosis is based on a comprehensive history intake that searches for patterns and symptoms. Treatment is based on the constellation of presenting symptoms. So again, patients with the same complaint may receive different treatments.
• Ayurveda Medicine. Ayurveda, which translates as “science of life,” is India's traditional system of medicine; it places equal emphasis on body, mind and spirit, and strives to restore the innate harmony of the individual. Ayurvedic treatments include diet, exercise, meditation, herbs, massage and controlled breathing.

Each health care system utilizes a combination of therapies in order to promote health, prevent and cure illness, and address the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs of the patient. Examples of these therapies include: massage, bodywork, herbs, meditation and chiropractic manipulation. Some of these treatments can also be used outside of the full system from which they come. For example, a licensed acupuncturist is trained in all aspects of traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture, herbs and massage. However, a licensed massage therapist is only trained in massage therapy.

What is Integrative Medicine?

Integrative medicine is a new health care model that seeks to combine the best of both conventional and complementary medicine to address the biological, psychological, social and spiritual aspects of health and illness. Integrative medicine physicians are medical doctors who are trained in both conventional and alternative therapies who value the principles of integrative medicine and will professionally guide patients through the various health care systems and treatment options.

Integrative medicine is based on these four primary principles:

• Emphasizing respect for the human capacity for healing
• Placing importance on the relationship between the practitioner and the patient
• Creating a collaborative team-based approach to patient care among practitioners
• Encouraging patients to participate in their care and to learn about self-care methods in order to promote their own wellness

Editor's Note: This article has been reprinted with permission from www.cancersupportivecare.com. Authored by Bradly Jacobs, MD, MPH.

Posted in: Acupuncture, Natural Remedies

 Email

Share

Comments (0)

Please Visit Our Sponsor