Traditional medicine vs alternative medicine - Research Paper Example

?TRADITIONAL MEDICINE VS ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE Health and well-being has been among the top priorities of humanity from ages with a common objective to meet people’s inevitable requirements for emotional and physical curing. The role of religious values and community structures cannot be ignored in the evolution of medicines. People have exploited natural products in their surroundings in order to find remedial and protective approaches for various ailments (Debas et al., n.d). This paper attempts to compare and contrast the Traditional Medicine (TM) with the Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). Today, there is an increasing awareness of CAM in industrialized nations. Though the western medicine is scientifically based, and its popularity, supremacy, and guarantees are comparatively high, a large number of populations cannot afford its benefits. For instance, studies suggests that majority of people (80%) or more in developing nations can barely have enough money for the most fundamental medical dealings, drugs, and vaccines (Debas et al., n.d). Traditional medicine (TM) as the word suggest “refers to health practices, approaches, information and values incorporating plant, animal and mineral based medicines, spiritual therapies, manual techniques and exercises, used individually or in addition to treat, diagnose and prevent illnesses or maintain well-being”. TM has gained popularity in countries such as Africa, Asia and Latin America for their basic health care requirements as it is more economical and is integrated with the societal values. There are data that suggests that 80% population in Africa is depending on traditional medicine for health care. When the indigenously developed TM moves out of its local boundaries and is practiced in other nations particularly the developed ones, it is known as “Complementary” or “Alternative medicine” (CAM) (Photius Coutsoukis, 2008). Hence it can be said that both TM and CAM have similarities in various aspects. Since the vocabulary complementary and alternative medicines exemplify practices and products that common people decides as additions to or as substitutes to Western allopathic therapeutic approaches, these terms are being used indiscriminately (Straus 2004). In the industrial or the so called developed nations such as the United States, an amazingly great percentage of people go for a combination of treatments suitable for them. They also take great care of safety and efficacy of these practices. The medical practices that are followed from ages and that advanced amid indigenous peoples has gained popularity in other countries. For instance, there are several tourists from different countries visiting India basically for the treatment using Ayurveda which is a traditional medicine developed over the years in India. Today, alternative medicine is popular in developing countries, and its recognition in developed nations is growing tremendously. In India, the most popular alternative medicines were recognized as Vedic medicines or Aired that has evolved through ages. The main aspire of Ayurveda medicine is harmonizing the mind, soul and body. Ayurveda takes the advantage of the rich biodiversity in India and mainly includes products from herbs, vegetables, fruits and natural minerals. There are chronological facts that even invasive procedures were practiced in ancient Ayurveda. Some of the practitioners of Ayurveda in modern society have integrated yoga and meditation processes and massaging techniques to overcome various health challenges. This makes it a part of alternative medicine. Traditional beliefs such as a strong mind and body could never fall sick have lead to the development of Chinese treatments. The Chinese treated the human mind and not the disease. Techniques such as Acupressure and Acupuncture were basically developed in China. This traditional medicine was accomplished for centuries and its idea is based on Taoist philosophy. These practices also extended to Japan and Korea and came to be known as the Oriental branch of alternative medicine. The acupuncture procedures are used to treat a variety of orthopedic and neurological disorders and are accepted widely as part of CAM. Recent studies suggest that in Western countries these procedures are gaining even more popularity (Prasad, 2010). While conventional medicine uses tools such as blood tests and x-rays and other evaluation techniques for the diagnose and treatments, TM and CAM rarely uses these techniques. This reduces the financial burden on the patients. However, it also a main reason for risk of wrong treatment and development of other health complications. These do not become a part of health insurance in the west. Traditional medication may possibly make use plant, animal and mineral-based products for management of diseases. It may also include spiritual and manual therapies. A survey in the year 2007 conducted by National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) found that thirty eight percent of Americans adults used CAM (NCCAM, 2011). Today in different parts of the world there is a combination of alternative therapies such as 1. Acupressure: This is a technique of massage pain affected areas. 2. Acupuncture: This technique involves the insertion of thin needles into the body with the purpose of controlling or treating the symptoms and also for the balancing of the energy in the body. 3. Chinese herbal medicine: this is a traditional medicine that has evolved over the years in China and has spread to near by countries. It involves the use of herbal products to treat or prevent illness. 4. Energy therapies: Reiki or the energy therapies involve the channeling energy through the hands for healing. 5. Homeopathy: is yet another field of medicine that uses the use of small amounts of innate remedies. Additionally there are several treatment processes involving massage therapies that aid in the reduction of pain and stress (Prasad, 2010). Chinese therapies, Indian Ayurveda and Arabic Unani medicines are considered as a part of traditional medicine in their respective countries. When these medicinal techniques together with other non-medication therapies are carried out in other countries especially in the developed nations, the concept of alternative medicine evolved. In many cases traditional medicines are integrated with spiritual therapies. However not much of emphasis is given on spiritual medicine in CAM. The safety and efficacy of the TM and CAM is a concern both in developing and developed nations respectively. Additionally, there are no stringent norms and regulations followed in manufacturing these products as in the case of allopathic medicines. The rapid adaptations of CAM in many developed countries are attributed to the undesirable side effects of chemical drugs. With the increasing incidences of lifestyle related persistent, incapacitating diseases like heart disease, cancer, diabetes and mental disorders and depression and the fear of long term uses of chemical drugs, CAM has become a gentler means of managing such diseases. A proper regulations and scientific backup can help to avoid or reduce negative impacts in both TM and CAM. There are many who question the safety and efficacy of traditional herbal medicines at the same time there are also several industry groups and consumers who refuse to go along with any health policy developments that possibly will limit access to TM/CAM therapies. There is raising hope in HIV-infected individuals as powerful immunostimulant effects for some traditional medicines that can be of great help for them. On the other hand there are also critics that pointed out that the use of such methods of cures can delay the process of accessing the established therapies and this time delay can turn out to be fatal. With the increasing popularity of TM/CAM, there is a greater demand for evidence on the safety, efficacy and excellence of TM/CAM products and practices (World Health Organization, 2002). Many use complementary and alternative medicine that is not currently measured to be division of conventional medicine. There are instances where complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine, and alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine. References Debas, H.T., Laxminarayan, R. and Straus, S.E. ( n.d) “Complementary and Alternative Medicine”, Chapter 69, In: Disease Control Priorities in Developing Countries pg: 1281-1291. NCCAM, (2011) What Is Complementary and Alternative Medicine? Photius Coutsoukis (2008) Traditional medicine Prasad, N. (2010) Traditional Medicine vs. Alternative Medicine: You Decide, Summer 2010, The think Club. PP. 13. Straus, S. E. (2004). “Complementary and Alternative Medicine.” In Cecil Textbook of Medicine, 22nd ed., ed. L. Goldman and D. Ausiello, Philadelphia: Saunders. World Health Organization, (2002) WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2002–2005. Read More