Holistic Medicine Essays

In modern medicine, alternative therapies are poorly understood and studied. The preference for alternative therapies, and herbal medicine were indicated, and the fear of relinquishing information regarding these practices were almost paralyzing. It seemed as though they were ashamed to admit to cultural healing practices, and did not divulge information to practitioners regarding their usage. The cultural disconnect was present as alternative/complimentary medicines are valued as a culture, and “modern” practitioners cast judgment on their usage. This perceived stigma additionally limited the information shared by the cultural participants with modern medical treatments, potentially causing additional harm, as some herbals are potentially toxic.

Over the last 10,000 years, humans have evolved more than any other species that has ever set foot on planet Earth. As a population we have grown exponentially and made changes to our society that allow us to do things that have not been done before. In 1878, Thomas Edison recognized the ability of a bamboo filament that was connected to platina wires, to burn for significant periods of time: resulting in the first formation of the light bulb. Suddenly, the human race no longer had to endure the darkness that each night brought at the end of a 12-hour light period.

There are still many people on both sides of the spectrum that are skeptical about treatment methods that differ from what they are used to. The validity of an herbal healer in the western world is more likely to be questioned than that of a medical doctor; while in the east, families may have been seeing a healer for decades and are more likely to question the validity of a doctor practicing western

Healthcare treatments are no longer being determined by set protocols for a particular diagnosis or disease process. Increasingly more common, individualized, patient-driven adaptations are being implemented to improve adherence and compliance with treatment. Society as a whole is changing. The influx of immigrants, cultural variations, and increased interest in “natural healing” therapies within the U.S., has fueled a growth in the use of natural and alternative medicine practices. Holistic healthcare lends a unique facet in making these adaptations to medical care conceivable. Through employing the unique relationship formed between nurses and patients collaboration in care, including the use of complementary and alternative medicine practices (CAM), can be easily managed (Barnes, Bloom, & Nahin, 2008). This alliance among nurses and patients in appraising all options, including CAM practices when appropriate, supports the patient’s right to be informed in regards to their care prior to consent.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a term that describes health and wellness therapies that have not been part of conventional medicine. Complementary treatments is with conventional medicine, and alternative treatments is used in place of conventional medicine. It can include treatments and therapies such as massage, natural products, meditation, yoga, vitamin supplements, herbs, chiropractic, acupuncture, and lots more. But problems arise when CAM is questioned if it scientifically helps patients overcome a disease. Is there really health benefits? Are some of the products natural? Do they come with risks? These are questions that can be asked when looking into CAM.

Alternative medicine should not be funded because it is not as successful as conventional treatments. Holistic medicine is nothing more than the study of natural products in an effort to scrutinize what herbs help in a dietary way or revitalize health. When has the study of natural and dietary products become “alternative”? David Gorski an associate professor at Wayne State University argues that the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) should not be funded because the agency promotes alternative and complementary therapies in the absence of rigorous scientific evidence that they are effective. Conventional treatments become conventional treatments due to rigorous testing. Rigorous testing is required because it

“The Alternative Medicine Racket” talks about how a few people tried to introduce alternative medicine into American Culture. The National Institute of Health took supposed “mystical” therapy from what they called fraud sources, and implanted them directly into the heart of the medical establishment. In 1984, the government released a report on fraudulent medicine in America and concluded that billions of American taxpayer money was being swindled by untested herbs and energy therapies that filled the aisle of stores and pages of magazines. These were aimed towards a vulnerable population: the elderly, desperate, and terminally ill. Fifty experts called for a crackdown (or should I say “quackdown”) on the alternative therapies (that we’ll refer to as “quackery”). In the late 1980’s, a senator named Tom Harkin was positive that bee pollen had cured his hay fever and wondered “Why isn’t anyone funding this?”, leading him to establish the Office of Alternative Medicine.

Thesis: Efficacy of traditional herbal remedies combined with a cultural faith in those traditions, combats modern medicine 's inherent distrust of traditional healing.

The Journal of Dietary Supplements discusses the increased use of “Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)” and how it is becoming a need among physicians to educate and train themselves so that the idea of Integrative Medicine is a realization to the public (Litchy, 2011). This holistic approach allows the ability for conventional medicine to be incorporated with

The uses of complementary or alternative medicine(CAM) has increased dramatically over the past decade. CAM is a group of health care therapies or practices that not considered part of the conventional medicine. However, CAM will be used along with or in place of conventional medicine. In America, nearly 38 percent of the adult population and 12 percent of child population are using CAM (NCCIH, 2016). CAM has been used for varieties of diseases or symptoms such as chronic pains, headaches, insomnia. In addition, there are more than forty types of CAM have been recognized in the United States. Natural products, deep breathing, and mediation are the most three common CAM used by Americans (NCCIH, 2016). For the ease of this assignment, an analysis of a type of CAM called acupuncture will be conducted. Acupuncture has been practiced in some Asia countries, especially China for thousands of years. People in those countries generally believed that it is beneficial in treating varieties of health conditions. Acupuncture was introduced into the United States in 1971 by a New York Time reporter (“NCCAM Acupuncture Information”,

In an holistic method to treatment, there is the belief that our health not only depends on what is going on in our body physically in terms of illness or disease, however also on the close inter-relation of this with our mental, emotional, social, religious and environmental state. These different conditions can be equally important.

The following paper will define alternative medicine, complementary medicine, and integrative medicine. It will describe how conventional medicine plays a role in these three terms. In addition, it will review the philosophy of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) and how it is different from conventional Western medicine and a description of the five domains of therapy. Finally, it will show how CAM treatment modality Ayurveda is used as an alternative therapy and a complementary therapy for obesity.

Mainstream medicine, defined as methods such as drugs, radiation, and surgery used to treat illness, is contrasted against natural medicine, defined as unorthodox therapies used to treat illness that are not accepted by the mainstream medical community. Natural medicine was used throughout history in many different cultures for treating all sorts of maladies and diseases. The discovery of penicillin brought on the dispensation of, what is referred to as, the mainstream medical era until the comeback of alternative remedies and natural medicine in the 1970s. Mainstream medicine is practical in certain situations in which the cause can easily be ascertained and prevented in future cases. It is also used to cover up symptoms of illness or disease in situations where a root problem needs to be discovered and addressed. These are the situations in which natural medicine should be utilized. Acupuncture, chiropractic, massage therapy, and reflexology are a few practices that have been shown to greatly reduce pain and stress in the body. These techniques have also been displayed as effective methods in promoting the restoration of the body to homeostasis, a relatively stable balance. Natural medicine should be viewed as a feasible option, alongside

Alternative healthcare options also known as alternative medicine is “any of various method of healing or treating disease that is not included under traditional medical practice in the United States and Britain” (Webster dictionary). These alternatives include methods such as hypnosis, acupuncture, aromatherapy, chiropractic therapy, spiritual or faith healing amongst others. Alternative medicine is the term used for medical products and practices that are not part of the standard of care. Standard of care is what medical doctors, doctors of traditional medicine, and allied health professionals, such as nurses and physical therapists, practice. Alternative medicine is used in place of standard medical care. Examples of alternative practices that do not include traditional medicine are aroma therapy, diet therapy, herbalism, homeopathy, massage therapy, reflexology, chiropractic therapy, cannabis, faith or spiritual healing and acupuncture amongst others (Medicine.net). Alternative medical systems are built upon complete systems of theory and practice sometimes these systems develop into something substantial; some if these systems have even developed in western cultures. Examples of alternative medical systems that have developed in Western cultures are homeopathic medicine and naturopathic medicine. Examples of systems that have developed in non-Western cultures include traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda (Medicine.net). There are more than a hundred

“You have a sprained ankle? Let’s go to my friend who does acupuncture;” mom, “Yeah I have depression? But I just dance it all off;” Maxine.” While we are given hard evidences that alternative medicines, such as herbalism, natural remedies, or even ancient techniques, work miracles. Society still wants to discredit alternative medicine and some even go through great lengths trying to remove it completely as it is “misleading the public” (Quackery). Especially big pharmaceutical companies because the “idea of people could heal themselves or could grow their own medicines or relying on themselves or each other. This terrifies the medical establishments, it terrifies the pharmaceutical giants, it terrifies doctors and the hospitals” (Adam).