Do the following terms confuse you: "alternative medicine", "complementary medicine", and "integrative medicine"? Would it help to know what the difference is between these three terms? Here is a simplified definition and illustration of each of these terms for your benefit.
For you to understand alternative medicine, complementary medicine and integrative medicine, one should first understand what comprises alternative medicine and conventional medicine. Medical doctors or doctors of osteopathy and other allied health professionals such as physical therapists, registered nurses, and psychologists all practice conventional medicine. You may have heard or read other terms for conventional medicine including "Western medicine", "mainstream medicine", "orthodox medicine", "regular medicine" or "allopathic medicine".
Alternative medicine applies to a practice that is used by those who are completely replacing conventional ways of dealing with symptoms and illness. These individuals use the practices and procedures associated with healing through natural therapies and methods. Methods that may not have anything to do with conventional medicine ways. These "normal" conventional ways include practices such as pharmaceutical drugs, and surgery. Conventional medicine usually tends to treat illnesses by the symptoms presented. In room #5 is a broken arm, in room #8 is a nosebleed, in room #2 is preterm labor. Each patient is characterised by the presenting symptoms and the treatment is symptom-oriented. After that drugs are prescribed to get rid of or mask the symptom generally without treating the cause of the symptom. But, alternative medicine focuses on the whole individual, not the presenting symptom.
Alternative medicine is based on a 5000+ year history and is strongly rooted in ancient Chinese medicine and Indian (Ayuryedic medicine), as well as other cultures. There exists a common belief, regardless of which culture we examine, that says the energy of the body is required to be in harmony with the mind and spirit to facilitate healing.
For alternative medicine healing to take place, a practitioner or doctor merely identifies and then takes away obstacles that would prevent healing from taking place. Over the course of the healing the individual is instructed on lifestyle changes, self-care and preventative measures that can be taken to facilitate healing of his/her body, mind and spirit.
By employing the art of healing using alternative medicine the body will often be massaged, manipulated or relaxed and brought into harmony with the mind and spirit. Massage therapy, chiropractic care and reflexology are all methods and therapies that embody the beliefs revolving around the body healing itself.
Another area of alternative medicine is energy medicine. This calls for energy fields that are used to help the body parts heal that have gotten out of harmony. Examples of energy medicine are Tai Chi, Raiki, and therapeutic touch.
Complementary medicine, on the other hand, is applying the patterns of alternative medicine in concordance with conventional medicine. This way, the patient receives the benefit of the healing powers of a specific practice of alternative medicine such as aromatherapy or acupuncture along with a procedure that is conventional medicine such as surgery.
A "complete approach to patient care" is integrative medicine. Those that apply it are centered the whole patient including the body, mind and spirit of the individual presenting with an illness. - 16004
For you to understand alternative medicine, complementary medicine and integrative medicine, one should first understand what comprises alternative medicine and conventional medicine. Medical doctors or doctors of osteopathy and other allied health professionals such as physical therapists, registered nurses, and psychologists all practice conventional medicine. You may have heard or read other terms for conventional medicine including "Western medicine", "mainstream medicine", "orthodox medicine", "regular medicine" or "allopathic medicine".
Alternative medicine applies to a practice that is used by those who are completely replacing conventional ways of dealing with symptoms and illness. These individuals use the practices and procedures associated with healing through natural therapies and methods. Methods that may not have anything to do with conventional medicine ways. These "normal" conventional ways include practices such as pharmaceutical drugs, and surgery. Conventional medicine usually tends to treat illnesses by the symptoms presented. In room #5 is a broken arm, in room #8 is a nosebleed, in room #2 is preterm labor. Each patient is characterised by the presenting symptoms and the treatment is symptom-oriented. After that drugs are prescribed to get rid of or mask the symptom generally without treating the cause of the symptom. But, alternative medicine focuses on the whole individual, not the presenting symptom.
Alternative medicine is based on a 5000+ year history and is strongly rooted in ancient Chinese medicine and Indian (Ayuryedic medicine), as well as other cultures. There exists a common belief, regardless of which culture we examine, that says the energy of the body is required to be in harmony with the mind and spirit to facilitate healing.
For alternative medicine healing to take place, a practitioner or doctor merely identifies and then takes away obstacles that would prevent healing from taking place. Over the course of the healing the individual is instructed on lifestyle changes, self-care and preventative measures that can be taken to facilitate healing of his/her body, mind and spirit.
By employing the art of healing using alternative medicine the body will often be massaged, manipulated or relaxed and brought into harmony with the mind and spirit. Massage therapy, chiropractic care and reflexology are all methods and therapies that embody the beliefs revolving around the body healing itself.
Another area of alternative medicine is energy medicine. This calls for energy fields that are used to help the body parts heal that have gotten out of harmony. Examples of energy medicine are Tai Chi, Raiki, and therapeutic touch.
Complementary medicine, on the other hand, is applying the patterns of alternative medicine in concordance with conventional medicine. This way, the patient receives the benefit of the healing powers of a specific practice of alternative medicine such as aromatherapy or acupuncture along with a procedure that is conventional medicine such as surgery.
A "complete approach to patient care" is integrative medicine. Those that apply it are centered the whole patient including the body, mind and spirit of the individual presenting with an illness. - 16004
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