ALTERNATIVE MEDICAL SYSTEM

Transcription

1 ALTERNATIVE MEDICAL SYSTEM Meaning and Definition of Alternative medicine: Alternative medicine includes all such healing practices that a person categorizes outside the realm of conventional medicine. It includes a varied therapeutic or preventive health care practices, which in general doesn t follow any of the accepted notions and principles of medical methods. The word Alternative Medicine literally means alternative to something else. This something else is mainly referred to western medicine or allopathy or orthodox medicine. It mainly includes all forms of treatments other than allopathy. In 1973, the Medical Faculty of the University of Rome assembled at the first World Congress of Alternative Medicines, and the provisional program contained no less than 135 different therapies. The experts of W.H.O. have also identified and enlisted more than 100 types of practices and they have termed these as traditional medicine. These forms of medicine are known as traditional medicine, complementary medicines, holistic medicine and natural medicine. Most of the alternative medical systems consider the human body as a complete being comprising of physical, mental, social and spiritual dimensions. These forms of medicine are also known as ethno medicine (as these traditional health care systems are closely associated with the life and culture of the masses), natural medicine (as these methods of treatments are based on the laws of nature and natural substances are used to treat the patients). (Cited, Various regions of the world are taking up the concept of alternative medicine after recognising its importance. India and China are the two countries where the concept of alternative medicine is thriving before the development of the modern medical systems. These alternative medicines in India and China are termed as traditional medicines which mainly includes folk wisdom, spiritual beliefs related to a person s quick healing. People in the modern century find CAM as equally efficacious as the traditional medicines. For example, healing in India still acknowledges the traditional systems of Ayurveda, meditation, yoga and etc. People in the Western countries generally mark the conventional healing systems in the Oriental regions as superstition. In spite of the criticism, it must be noted that the alternative medical systems are thriving in the modern century. Though the use of alternative medicine is immense, but till date there has been no accepted definition of the term. Existing definitions of the term alternative medicine are often claimed to be inconclusive as they fail to address, firstly, the fundamental issue as to why they are alternative and secondly, the diverse features of alternative medicine. However, the term has been defined in the following way: According to the works of Eskinazi (1998), alternative medicines may be defined as an extensive set of healthcare practices that are not directly integrated into the dominant healthcare model, as they pose challenges to wide-ranging beliefs of the society as well as the integrated practices (i.e. cultural, economic, scientific, medical and educational). According to the definition provided by NCCAM, Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not regarded to be a part of conventional medicine. Several other terms for complementary and alternative medicine include unconventional, irregular, unproven and even

2 soft medicine. The British Medical Association (BMA) referred in 1993 that alternative medicines are "those forms of treatment which are not widely used by the conventional healthcare professions, and the skills of which are not taught as part of the undergraduate curriculum of conventional medical and paramedical healthcare courses". One of the most important definitions of alternative medicine was provided by the US context in 1993 by David M. Eisenberg (a Harvard-based physician). He viewed alternative medicine "as interventions neither taught widely in medical schools nor generally available in US hospitals". In Science and Technology: Public Attitudes and Public Understanding 1, it was stated that the term "alternative medicine" was used to refer to all treatments that have not been effective in using scientific methods. Features of Alternative Medicine: Alternative medicine entails various salient features which can provide a deep insight into the understanding of alternative medicine. There are six main features of alternative medicines, such as Firstly, alternative medicine regards the health of a person to be the complete being, incorporating physical, mental, social as well as spiritual dimension of a person. The modern allopathic treatment of disease treats the human beings as only a physical being. Alternative medicines thus try to provide the individuals with an all-round treatment because it considers the health of an individual not only in a state of physical being but also mental, social and spiritual being. Alternative medicines stresses upon the strict maintenance of health by following a healthy pattern of life. They mainly stresses to follow a proper diet, exercise, human relations, sexuality, a positive attitude towards the things surrounding the individuals, moral as well as spiritual values. A person is made to regulate all his activities in life so that he can maintain a healthy lifestyle. Alternative medicines promote the individuals to lead a simple life by avoiding taking in of drugs and undergoing surgical interferences within one s own body. It is inexpensive in nature so that all the people can go in for alternative medicine and create a positive change in their lives. Alternative medicines have very little or most of the times have no side effects on the health of the individuals. Alternative medicines contain the key to cure many diseases, which has got no treatment in the modern medical system. Alternative medical system thus (at many occasions) overrides the bio-medicines. Alternative medicine is totally based upon the faith of the individuals. Clinicians too belief on the fact that at many possible occasions, intense faith of the individuals cures him/her of the suffering where medicines fail to react. Therefore, faith in hearts, prayers in lips possess a magical power for the healing of the individuals. 1 Chapter 7 of a report Science and Engineering Indicators 2002, issued by a US government agency (The National Science Foundation).

3 Difference between the terms Alternative Medicine and Complementary Alternative Medicine: There is difference between the terms alternative medicine and complementary medicine. Alternative medicines implies those treatments which a person uses instead of the conventional treatments known to them, while, complementary medicine implies the medicine that are used along with the conventional treatment. These non-mainstream health care practices can also be associated with the concept of integrative medicine, (or integrative health care), which combines both the mainstream medical therapies as well as complementary and alternative medicine. Many a times the people who suffer from cancer are provided with integrative health care approaches. The integrative health care approaches includes either providing the service of acupuncture or meditation or even yoga to help manage symptoms as well as the effect of the bio-medicines that are applied to the individuals for the cure of their disease. These cancer patients also undergo conventional treatments such as chemotherapy. Thus, CAM and AM are different from each other. Categorization of Complementary and Alternative Medicines: According to the General Information Package 2, one can divide CAM into seven broad categories Mind body medicine Alternative medical systems Lifestyle and disease prevention Biologically-based therapies Manipulative and body-based systems Bio-field Bio-electromagnetic The Mind-body medicine can be further divided into four sub-categories Mind body system Mind body methods (e.g. Yoga, internal qi gong, hypnosis, meditation) Religion and spirituality (e.g. Confession, spiritual healing, prayer) Social and contextual areas (e.g. Holistic nursing, intuitive diagnosis, community-based approaches) One can also divide the alternative medical system into four subcategories Acupuncture and Oriental medicine Traditional indigenous systems (for example Ayurvedic medicine, Siddha, Unani-tibbi, native American medicine, Kampo medicine, traditional African medicine) Unconventional Western systems (e.g. Homeopathy, psionic medicine, orthomolecular medicine, functional medicine, environmental medicine) Naturopathy Life style and disease prevention can also be categorized into the following: 2 General Information Package, NIH Office of Alternative Medicine Clearing House, Silver Spring, MD , USA.

4 clinical prevention practices (e.g. electro dermal diagnosis, medical intuition, panchakarma, chirography); lifestyle therapies and health promotion Biologically-based therapy also includes a range of alternative medicines such as phytotherapy or herbalism (plant-derived preparations that are used for therapeutic and prevention purpose, e.g. Ginkgo biloba, garlic, ginseng, turmeric, aloe vera, echinacea, saw palmetto, capsicum, bee pollen, mistletoe); special diet therapies (e.g. vegetarian, high fibre, pritikin, ornish, Mediterranean, natural hygiene) Manipulative and Body-based systems are generally based on the movement of an individual s body. This system is also divided into three main subsystems Chiropractic medicine Massage and body work (e.g. Osteopathic manipulative therapy, kinesiology, reflexology, alexander technique rolfing, chinese tui na massage and acupressure. Unconventional physical therapies (e.g. Hydrotherapy, colonics, diathermy, light and color therapy, heat and electrotherapy. Bio-field includes again another range of subsystems such as Therapeutic touch Reiki and External Qi Gong Bio-electromagnetics is referred to as the unconventional use of electromagnetic fields for medical purposes. Thus, there are many ways by which one can divide the different alternative medicines as well as complementary alternative medical system. Each subsystem tries to promote people with a range of other alternatives which an individual can choose other instead of (or along with) biomedicine. Range of alternative medical systems: There are various ranges of alternative medical systems present in the present century. Each system of alternative medicine lies on the faith structure of the people. If the people have faith for the alternate medical system, it is only then that one can attain healing benefits from it. We can refer to a wide range of alternate medical practices Acupressure 3 is one such alternative medical system, which is widely opted by many people. In acupressure, finger pressure on specific points of suffering is generally used instead of needles. 3 According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word acupressure is derived from the Latin word acus meaning "needle"

5 It reduces tension and stress, aches and pains, menstrual cramps, arthritis. Acupuncture is such a process by which fine needles are used to rouse, scatter, and control the flow of vital energy, and restore a healthy energy balance. It helps to treat acute and degenerative conditions among children as well as adults. Aromatherapy helps to treat emotional conditions of the people. It makes the people to regain their normal state of mind when they generally suffer from diseases from which there are bleak chances of coping up. In many occasions, astrology also plays an important part in bringing about healing of the people as the position of the planets is believed to affect the health condition of the people. Ayurvedic Medicine is believed by the people to exist in the society 5000 years ago. It promotes counseling, massage, natural medications among the people as it is considered that nature has gifted the human world with a range of natural medications which the people must realize and put into use. Auricular Therapy is a belief of the Egyptians that healing can be brought about by a certain amount of stimulation in one s ear. Alexander Technique eases the movement, balance, support and coordination of one s body. Autogenic Training: Its effectiveness has been shown in relieving many stress-related disorders including anxiety, tension, insomnia, and examination stress. Persons with chronic medical conditions ranging from migraine, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes, high blood pressure, to thyroid disease are believed to be healed through this therapy. Auto-Urine Therapy This practice comes from Yoga and is the use of one s own urine as food, medicine, restorative, transforming agent and immune system booster. Holotropic Breath-work Here, Sustained effective breathing, evocative music, focused energy work promotes healing among the people. Biofeedback A method of monitoring minute metabolic changes in one s own body with the aid of sensitive machines. The technique is used especially for stress-related conditions such as asthma, migraines, insomnia, and high blood pressure. Bach Flower Remedies: these floral remedies can supposedly alter the disharmonies of personality and emotional state that trouble people all from time to time. Chromotherapay or Colour Therapy. The use of colour (mainly in the form of coloured light) to produce beneficial or healing effects. Chiropractic The chiropractic views the spine as the backbone of human health: misalignments of the vertebrae caused by poor posture or trauma cause pressure on the spinal nerve roots, leading to diminished function and illness. Counseling/Psychotherapy psychotherapies that treat depression, stress, addiction, and emotional issues thereby bringing about healing. Cupping It is a traditional Chinese medical technique, which applies suction to diseased parts of the body using ceramic glass or bamboo cups in order to increase the regional circulation and thereby promote healing. Craniosacral Therapy is used to treat chronic pain, migraine headaches. Dance/Movement Therapies uses expressive movement as a therapeutic tool for both personal expression and psychological or emotional healing. Electropathy is a specialized system of therapeutics which involves the use of various forms of electric currents for medicinal purposes. Fasting Therapy is a purifying and rejuvenating process by which toxic waste matters of the body are eliminated and regeneration of diseased tissues occurs. Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice of arranging the home or work environment to promote health, happiness, and prosperity of the people. Gem Therapy involves the use of specific gems to treat specific ailments. Herbalism uses natural plants or plant-based substances to treat a range of illnesses and to enhance the functioning of the body s systems. Homoeopathy generally stimulates a person s immune and defense system of the body. Common conditions homeopathy addresses are infant and childhood diseases,

6 infections, fatigue, allergies, and chronic illnesses such as arthritis. Hypnotherapy bypassing the conscious mind and accessing the subconscious, where suppressed memories, repressed emotions, and forgotten events may remain recorded. It leads to behavioral, emotional, or attitudinal change such as weight loss, or smoking cessation. Hydrotherapy is defined as the scientific application of water for therapeutic purposes. Kinesiology is the study of the human body during movement. Magnetotherapy is The art of healing by the application of natural and artificial magnets to the diseased parts of the human body. Naturopathic Medicine Naturopathic physicians work to restore and support the body s own healing abilities using a variety of modalities including nutrition, herbal medicine, homeopathic medicine, and orient medicine. Ohashiatsu A system of physical techniques, exercise and meditation used to relieve tension and fatigue and induce a state of harmony and peace. Physiotherapy is a manipulative technique by which the deformities of an individual are modified in order to be at par the body and the vital organs in accordance with the principles of naturopathy. Prolotherapy uses injections of natural substances such as dextrose, glycerin, and phenol in order to stimulate the growth of connective tissue and this strengthens weak or damaged joints, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. Reiki is commonly used to treat emotional and mental distress as well as chronic and acute physical problems, and to assist the recipient in achieving spiritual focus and clarity. Shiatsu is used in Japan for more than 1,000 years to treat pain and illness and for general health maintenance. The Siddha system is another method of alternative medicine. The strength of the Siddha system lies in providing very effective therapy in the case of Psoriasis, Rheumatic disorders, Chronic liver disorders, Benign prostate hypertrophy, bleeding piles, peptic ulcer including various kinds of Dermatological disorders of non psoriatic nature. Sound Therapy is the use of sound waves to heal. Unani Involves the use of plants and herbs, these remedies are known to provide cures for diseases such as sinusitis, leucoderma, rheumatism, jaundice and elephantiasis. Therefore, these alternate healing practices do play a major role in the lives of the individuals. The only thing that is required out of the individuals are belief, faith and entrusting their trust on these alternate healing practices.

7 Fig: 1 Reiki as an alternative medical system Importance of Alternative Medicines: Alternate medical practices are growing at a larger level in the modern century. Increasing concern of the people regarding the adverse affects of the bio-medicine on the patients while treating them, are making them to choose for an alternative by which they can achieve healing on the basis of their faith with minimal side effects. There are many factors like the socio-cultural and personal (health status, belief, attitude, motivation, etc.), underlying a person s decision to use alternative therapies. One cannot sum up the causes for the growing popularity of the AM but it can be divided into three main divisions 4 (Pal, 2002) Dissatisfaction: Patients are dissatisfied with conventional treatment because it has been ineffective, has produced adverse side effects, or is seen as impersonal, too technologically oriented, and/or too costly. Need for personal control: Patients seek alternative therapies because they see them as less authoritarian with more personal autonomy and control over their health care decisions. Philosophical congruence: Alternative therapies are attractive because they are seen as more compatible with patients values, world-view, spiritual/religious philosophy or beliefs regarding the nature and meaning of health and illness. Therefore, rise of the AM in the modern 21 st century is at an enormous rate. People in spite of being scientific do realize that alternative medicines are also beneficial as they meet their healing purpose as well as their spiritual purpose. Factors posing Challenges to Integration of Alternative medicine: there are several factors by which the system of alternate medicine is at stake at the modern century. The challenges to alternate medical system can be categorized under three main headings 4 Zollman, C. and Vicker, A., Br. Med. J., 1999, 319,

8 Firstly, political factors are posing a threat to the system of AM. The relationship between politics and healthcare is an old one which is much complex in nature. Providing healthcare is one of the most important parts of national economy. Healthcare and population health status must be one of the first and foremost criteria of any nation, therefore, the relation between these two variables are not anew. Instead of being rivals, in many countries it can also be seen that the political arena are involved with the development of the alternate system of medicines as it promotes the national economy. For example, in the People s Republic of China, the Chinese Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is under the authority of the Chinese Ministry of Health. The Chinese government has been active in guiding the modernization of technological and scientific approaches to traditional Chinese medicine. This has brought much better standards to the quality control of TCM botanical medicine preparations so that they can enter the international market and compete effectively with other botanical medicine preparations, in particular those from Europe (Cited, Eskinazi, 2001). On the other hand, it can be seen in Singapore that the government officially recognized acupuncture as one of the alternate medical therapy but only after the proper establishment of its scientific purpose to the people. Thus, at one part of the globe there are rules and regulations which officially bind the alternate healers from providing people with the AM instead of bio-medicines and on the other side of the globe official rules and regulations restricts the practice of AM instead they promote the use and benefits of bio-medicine as it contributes to the national economy. Secondly, the economic factors also pose a challenge to the Alternate Medicine. Economy plays a major role in the promotion of the alternate medical systems. In many countries these AM are not promoted, as they do not contribute to the economic system at such a number. In most of the places, these AM are considered to be for the poor and the downtrodden people. In countries like Peru, the government s interest in traditional medicine began mostly in the context of providing affordable healthcare for indigenous populations, for example, in the Amazon basin where most people are too poor to afford costly Western medicine, and too remote to have access to it. In the modern century, these alternate medicines are turning to be alternate products to provide for healing of the people. The health care system is now turning to be the healthcare industry thereby affecting the traditional indigenous practice. In spite of this economic challenge, new changes are coming up by which integrated medicines are promoted by the hospitals for the benefit of the patients, but, The large and rapidly growing market for AM has created the potential for substantial financial gain, but a quick pay off may yield research of poor quality, and perpetuate research only aimed at narrowly evaluating products effectiveness. Thirdly, scientific factors also pose a challenge to the alternative medical systems in the society. There are occasions where science challenges the belief of the people on alternative medical system. In the domain of science, chemicals can react in a better way in providing healing to the individuals than the alternate medical systems. For example, in the US, established academics have been discredited and have had difficulties when attempting to do AM research and at times, explicit threats were made by mainstream medicine to individuals and institutions that would associate with alternative practitioners or who would do research in areas identified as alternative. Therefore, the methods adopted for the conduction of AM research were generally methodologically not sound. Many a times, lack of funding and

9 differences among individual investigators resources and personal research interests have limited replication of hundreds of studies in homeopathy and acupuncture. Therefore, do pose one of the key threats to the development of alternate medical systems to provide healing to the individuals. Future of Complementary Alternative Medicines: The present century is witnessing the growing amount of complementary alternative medicines as well as alternative medicines. It was a silent movement that was going on since the 1960s in the world by the alternative health care practitioners. Many alternative medical practices are moving into the hospital sectors. The clinicians do realize as well as respect the spiritual domain of their patients thus these leads them to provide their patients with integrative health care practices. Yoga, for example, is being tried out for the management of carpal tunnel syndrome. 5 Yoga lifestyle intervention is also found to increase the regression of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with severe coronary artery disease The American Medical Association (AMA) and other medical associations have formally recognized hypnosis as a viable medical treatment. The Union Ministry for Health and Family Welfare has asked the Medical Council of India to include the basic principles and concept of the Indian System of Medicine and Homeopathy in the course content of MBBS. Alternative medical system has been a great deal of concern for the medical students who are thriving in this field to carry on their research activity thereby explore the area. Thus, AM is thriving not only in the modern century but also leave a deep imprint in the generations to come. Conclusion: Nearly 80% of the world s population does not have access to modern medicine. Health care costs are rising up at such a level that people are increasingly shifting themselves to the sector of alternative medicine. Thus, one must strive to achieve both the traditional alternate medical practices as well as the Western system of medicine so that one can present a wide range of healing scopes for the people in the near future. References: Benveniste J. Dr. Jacques Benveniste replies. Nature. 1988; 334: 291. Blank M, Goodman R. Letter to the Editor: The fall and rise of Kilmer McCully. The New York Times, Magazine Section. September 7, Eskinazi D, ed. NIH technology assessment workshop on alternative medicine: Acupuncture J Alt Complement Med. 1996; 2: Special Issue. Eskinazi D, et. al., eds. Botanicals: A role in US health care. Larchmont, NY: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., Eskinazi D. Factors that shape alternative medicine. JAMA. 1998; 280(18): Sequeira, W., Lancet, 1999, 352,

10 Fugh-Berman A. Alternative medicine: what works. Tucson, AZ: Odonian Press, 1996: Schiff M. The Memory of Water. London, UK: Harper Collins, Stacey, M. The fall and rise of Kilmer McCully. The New York Times, Magazine Section. August 10, 1997.