Key Similarities and Differences between Orthodox - Essay Example

According to the World Health Organization, ''health is a of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity''. Such a definition of health, universal for all forms of healing therapy, is necessary before the beginning of any discussion involving the various types of medical practices, as every healing therapy, despite its nature, must have some form of definition of health. In this paper, the differences and similarities between orthodox medicine and naturopathic medicine is discussed, along with the possible combination of both in order to provide an integrated and efficient health care system. At the beginning of this discussion, it should be mentioned that the entire body of medicine is divided into orthodox or traditional medicine and alternative medicine. According to Larson (2007, p. 1), alternative medicine represents any form of healing therapy outside the borders of orthodox medicine which uses pharmaceuticals, radiation, chemotherapy, and surgical procedures in its practice of healing the sick. Alternative medicine includes all forms of therapy from acupuncture to Zen Buddhism as potential pathways to health. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine states that there four types of alternative medical systems which include Chinese medicine, ayurvedic medicine, naturopathy, and homeopathy. What separates naturopathy from the other types of alternative medicine is not only its beginnings, but also the basis on which health, disease and treatment is seen. While the other forms of alternative medicine have their roots in shamanism and spirituality, the beginnings of naturopathy can be traced back to the beginnings of orthodox medicine. Hippocrates, generally considered as the "Father of Medicine", is also considered to be a physician that practiced what was similar to naturopathic medicine. He believed that For Hippocrates, disease was not a localized phenomenon, but a disturbance affecting the whole person through some imbalance in the four humors-blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile. The four humors and the four associated qualities-hot, cold, moist, and dry- in the microcosm or small world of the human body corresponded to the four elements-earth, air, fire, and water-that make up the macrocosm or universe. Although this does not correspond entirely to the principles of naturopathy, as it can be observed, the view that the health and disease is based in the balance of natural elements is the basis of most naturopathic beliefs. In order for the differences and similarities between orthodox and naturopathic medicine to be better evident, the six basic principles of naturopathic medicine should be reviewed. The first concept is the healing power of nature, which refers to connecting with nature, or the life force, which is constant, although ever changing. Connecting with nature involves getting outside yourself, getting beyond whatever health limitations are concerning you. Further, the healing power of nature involves a connection with this life force, taking some action, either through exercise or any physical activity, that connects us with life. Naturopathy involves taking an active role in your own health, becoming your own health maintenance organization, as opposed to approach of traditional medicine of prescription drugs. The second concept of naturopathy, identification and treatment of the cause of disease, focuses on eliminating the problem that is resulting in the illness. One common example can be given, as high blood pressure, and its treatment through conventional medicine. Diuretics are the most common treatment, however, if the root cause is obesity and sedentary lifestyle, then the use of diuretics but failure to address those contributing factors will have the end result of treating symptoms but not correcting the basic problem. Modern medicine, however, also is beginning to focus more on eliminating social and other underlying problems that cause diseases. One such example is Sweden's implementation of a law requiring a 45 minute workout per day in order to prevent obesity and therefore prevent diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases. The third concept of naturopathy, that of first do no harm, is also the basis of the Hippocratic Oath, which is taken by orthodox physicians as well and refers to, at the very least, not creating a more serious problem than you're attempting to correct. In business, it's referred to as the risk-benefit analysis, ensuring that the benefits of the action taken outweigh the risks that will be incurred. In healthcare it means that you choose the intervention that offers the maximum benefit and the lowest risk. Another way of looking at it is to say that treatments or interventions should start with the least invasive, most conservative intervention first, and if positive outcomes do not result, then you move upward to more aggressive, more invasive treatments, with the primary focus being resolution of the underlying health problem. The fourth concept of naturopathy, that of doctor as teacher, is a critical one. In naturopathy, the doctor is seen as a guide and not a God, a person who has specialized clinical training and credentials that provide a foundation for advising the patient on what steps are necessary to restore health. Naturopathy involves patients' interest in and commitment to their own health, which is a prerequisite to health restoration. In conventional medicine, there is more likely to be an unquestioned reliance on the physician as a type of God-like figure who somehow is capable of providing the "magic bullet" that will resolve health problems without any corrective actions on the part of the patient. The fifth naturopathic concept, that of treatment of the whole person, connotes that a global assessment of the patient be done rather than one based solely on presenting symptoms. The "whole person" concept refers to the mental state of the patient, the physical state of the patient, and the spiritual state of the patient and how the three states interact to provide the global assessment of the patient's health. Conventional medicine, in contrast, is based on the "disease model," which evaluates the presenting physical symptoms almost exclusively, with treatments following the assessment. The sixth concept, that of prevention, involves a focus on what patients can do for themselves to restore and maintain health. The focus is on changing patterns of behavior (e.g., diet, exercise, and reduction of stress) to assist in health restoration and, ideally, to alter the old patterns of behavior that led to illness. In contrast, conventional medicine has its primary focus on the "disease state," meaning that patients do not interact with the healthcare system until they are symptomatic. The symptomatology drives the treatment, whereas the underlying causal factors may continue, with treatment focused on symptoms exclusively. With regards to academics, it should be mentioned that the industry ranges from strictly regulated to having no restrictions at all, which further makes naturopathy a highly suspicious medical practice, both amongst the general population and the orthodox medical practitioners. Currently, there are many naturopathic colleges, with such as the Bastyr University, Canadian College of Naturopathic medicine and the National college of Natural Medicine that give degrees as naturopathic practitioners, and this has helped to improve the reputation of naturopathy. However, it is still considered a less costly, but also less practical form of medicine, as its effects are sometimes considered nothing more than a placebo by orthodox practitioners. There are many journals that publish research made in naturopathic medicine, and that may be the first step towards forming a general consensus on the effectiveness on neuropathic medicine However, there are certain concepts that have a close relation with orthodox medicine and can be used not only as a bridging point between the two sciences but also as a means of cooperation of both sciences in order to provide effective care for the population. For example, 16% of US citizens are currently without medical care, and US health care system's focus on secondary care (the treatment, not the prevention of illnesses) makes it more difficult to prevent the appearance of easily preventable diseases. Naturopathy's focus on preventing diseases before they occur makes it most appropriate to cover this population, as the prevention of diseases through the use of exercise and a healthy diet are principles used both in orthodox and naturopathic medicine. It should also be acknowledged that there are many Western countries that implement programs, which in essence, contain naturopathic principles of maintaining health, although they have never been correlated to any such principles in public. Naturopathy and its 100-year old existence, stemming from much older roots, like many other medical practices will remain in the realm of alternative medicine, despite its close cooperation with orthodox medicine. Despite this, its place in the modern world is not in danger, as one should acknowledge that so long as there is even one patient that naturopathy as a medical science is able to help, either through prevention, treatment or even placebo, naturopathy would still be maintained amongst the populous as a medical science dedicated to preventing illness and maintaining a healthy balance. Read More