Whole medical systems are traditional systems of medicine practiced by individual cultures throughout the world. Major Eastern whole medical systems include Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Ayurvedic medicine. Major Western whole medical systems include homeopathy and naturopathy.
TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM) is a complete system of healing that dates back to 200 B.C. In the TCM view, the body is a delicate balance of two forces: yin and yang. Yin represents the cold, slow or passive principle, while yang represents the hot principle. In TCM, disease is due to an imbalance of yin and yang, which leads to blockage in the flow of qi (or vital energy) and of blood along pathways known as meridians. TCM practictioners typically use herbs, massage and accupuncture to help unblock qi and blood in patients in an attempt to bring the body into harmony and wellness.
AYURVEDIC MEDICINE, or Ayurveda, is a natural healing system developed in India. It is a comprehensive system of medicine that places equal emphasis on the body, mind and spirit, and strives to restore the innate harmony of the individual. Some of the primary Ayurvedic treatments include diet, exercise, meditation, herbs, massage, exposure to sunlight and controlled breathing. In India, Ayurvedic treatments have been developed for various diseases (e.g. diabetes, cardiovascular conditions and neurological disorders).
NATUROPATHY is a system of healing from Europe that views disease as a manifestation of alterations in the processes by which the body naturally heals itself. It emphasizes health restoration as well as disease treatment. The core modalities supporting the principles of Naturopathy include diet modification and nutritional supplements, herbal medicine, accupuncture, Chinese medicine, hydrotherapy, massage and joint manipulation, and lifestyle counseling. Treatment protocols combine what the practitioner deems to be the most suitable for the individual patient.
HOMEOPATHY is a complete system of medical theory and practice. Its founder, German physician Samuel Christitan Hahnemann, developed his treatments for sick patients by matching the symptoms produced by a drug to symptoms in sick patients. Hahnemann empahsized from the beginning carefully examining all aspects of a person’s health status, including emotional and mental states and tiny idiosyncratic characteristics.
While whole medical systems differ in their philosophical approaches to the prevention and treatment of disease, they share a number of common elements. These systems are based on the belief that one’s body has the power to heal itself. Healing often involves marshalling mutiple techniques that involve the mind, body and spirit. Treatment is often individualized and dependent on the presenting symptoms.
Source: nhttp://ccam.nih.gov/health/backgrounds/wholemed.htm
