R: Integrative Medicine v Alternative Medicine

[Guest guest]

I completely agree with : this is my opinion and trust. Medicine

is one; we can say that usually the acute illnesses could be better treated

with western medicine/surgery, when usually chronical deseases could be

better tretated with natural treatments. Of course this is not a rule, but

only a suggestion. As a physician I'm only sure about my ignorance, so I

must use the best known (synthetic drugs, omeopathic remedies, herbs chinese

and mediterranean, acupuncture, neuraltherapy). It works, not always, of

course, but it works. No dogmas.

Best regards,

-----Messaggio originale-----

Da: []

Inviato: giovedi 13 maggio 2004 21.07

A: Chinese Medicine

Oggetto: Integrative Medicine v Alternative Medicine

 

 

Hi Nadia, & All,

 

Nadia wrote:

> I am totally opposed to [use of a term like] " Unified Medicine " . I

> do not want to unify with WM. Because of the dogma now prevalent

> there, I agree with, was it Z'ev? who remarked on Assimilative

> medicine. We can Complement WM, and we are an Alternative to WM. I

> am proud to be. ... I am young and still have much to learn and

> welcome any insight or response. Respectfully, Nadia

 

I dislike the term " Alternative Medicine " . IMO, there is NO practical

ALTERNATIVE to WM at this time. Those of us on " the inside "

must try to change it, with the help of colleagues in the other

disciplines.

 

I agree that WM (diagnostics, pharmacotherapy, intensive care,

obstetrics, surgery, orthopedics, chemotherapy, etc) has major

weak points. Iatrogenic illhealth and deaths are at an unacceptably

high level. WM has become a self-perpetuating industry, far beyond

reach of the world's poor. Even if it were necessary, how many poor

people can afford modern surgery? How many can even afford the

cost of a course of antibiotics in cases of acute bactreial infection?

 

I also agree that WM is largely symptom-suppressive and rarely

addresses the root cause(s). Also, it can do little for the emotional

/ psychological and spiritual aspects of health & disease.

 

HOWEVER, Nadia, with respect, and in spite of ALL its defects,

WM saves millions of lives. Without it, and its organised teaching

and delivery systems, humanity would be in a very bad state.

 

Many of us on the list advocate an Integrative or Holistic Medicine;

the Logo of my homepage is: " There is but ONE True MEDICINE " ;

see http://homepage.eircom.net/~progers/

 

I dislike the term " Unified Medicine " ; IMO medicine is not, and

never will be unified in the sense that all practitioners will have the

same training background. I prefer the term " Integrative / Holistic

Medicine " . IMO, that term does NOT mean WM " taking over " or

" cherry-picking " the easiest bits of OM/TCM, AP, herbal medicine,

osteopathy, chiropractic, homeopathy, etc.

 

My dream of an Integrative Medicine is that, at some time in the

future, each specialty will be recognised as valuable in its own

right, and that students in the various disciplines will be exposed to

the basic principles of the other disciplines.

 

This infers that experts (or at least competent people) from each

separate discipline will be faculty members of ALL of the other

disciplines. These people will aquaint the students of the basics of

each discipline in order to help them to know when and where to

refer cases that do not respond properly to their chosen discipline.

 

Though some students or practitioners may opt for detailed study

of 2 or more of the individual disciplines, IMO, few will take that

option because the time required would be so long. I estimate

undergraduate full-time study to be: WM 6-10 years; CHM 3-5

years; AP 2-4 years; homeopathy 2-4 years, osteopathy 3-5 years,

etc. It would take 16-28 years for a student to qualify in all 5

disciplines! Few people would have that stamina, let alone the

finances, to pursue such prolonged studies.

 

As far as research in Integrative Medicine is concerned, IMO the

best that we can hope for is that open-minded academics and

researchers will cooperate fully in relevant clinical trials. Experts in

the discipline under research should be senior members of each

research team, and should have a veto on proceeding with the

research unless they are satisfied that it is properly planned to

reflect basic tenets of the discipline.

 

From my knowledge of the power-plays within the " establishment

professions " , I admit that the transition towards mutual respect and

equal status between the disciplines of an Integrative Medicine will

be difficult and problematic. But I encourage all of you to consider

working towards that end, even if it is an impossible dream.

 

I like to dream.

 

 

 

Best regards,

Email: <

 

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WWW : http://homepage.eircom.net/~progers/searchap.htm

 

 

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http://babel.altavista.com/

 

and adjust

accordingly.

 

If you , it takes a few days for the messages to stop being

delivered.

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

When we speak of western medicine, I believe it is important to realize

there is the western model that saves lives from trauma, and the western model

that is a complete failure that kills millions.

Actually in truth, I believe that if you compare those who are saved by

trauma care and the millions who are killed by Chronic health care, I bet we

would be pretty close in numbers.

Remember, Western chronic health care is the third killer in the states.

In California, when the Docs went on strike, the death rate went down!

 

Science is a tremendous blessing to our world. When scientific data is

misrepresented for profit at the expense to human life,,,,, it becomes criminal.

 

 

It is my opinion that the policy makers that continue covering up the

failure of teh western chronic health fiasco and the million who are killed are

criminals. These people have at there disposal, data that would save lives,

but they wouold make less money. It is criminal.

 

It is a sad state of affairs that we might send Martha Stewart to jail,

but these people walk free.

 

Imagine what would happen if an herbal company misrepresented its

findings and killed a bunch of people.

 

In the Western world, this example is the norm. Why does our legal

system allow this to continue?

 

Because, much like , they still believe that without out

western medicine, humanity would be in a very bad state, so they turn a blind

eye to the problem.

 

We know that there are two sides to western medicine and they must be

thought of separately.

 

Trama care saves lives. The treatment of chronic symptoms kills.

 

Most of the chronic health problems facing America are better treated

without drugs. Most chronic disease prevention is best done without drugs. The

fact that a person would consider drugs as a way to lessen the possibility of

getting and illness is not only misguieded, it may well cost them their life.

 

Unfortunately, in general, people, don't understand this yet. So they

continue to trust bogus scientific data, and the sense that we have no other

choice.

 

It is time to take the death toll created by western chronic care to the

masses. People must begin to realize they are putting their life in jeopardy

by using drugs to treat symptoms prevent disease.

 

Chris

 

 

n a message dated 5/14/2004 3:55:21 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

gabrielesaudelli writes:

HOWEVER, Nadia, with respect, and in spite of ALL its defects,

WM saves millions of lives. Without it, and its organised teaching

and delivery systems, humanity would be in a very bad state.