| The intention behind this article is to review the | | | | health and disease as two extremes of a |
| different approaches behind Western and Eastern | | | | continuum that are constantly in flux. That is, |
| Medicine and explore some the fundamental | | | | individuals are in a state of balance between the |
| philosophies from which each medical system | | | | external insults and the internal defensive |
| arose. However first, let me give you a little bit | | | | mechanisms. |
| about my background. | | | | The environment is considered only one facet |
| Background | | | | that affects the body under the Western |
| As someone who was born and bred from an | | | | approach. Treatment often revolves around |
| Eastern culture and currently practising TaiChi, but | | | | changing the environment to return the body |
| yet have been educated, trained and developed | | | | functions to 'normal'. For example, antibiotics are |
| as a healthcare professional in a Western society, | | | | developed to eliminate bacteria harmful to the |
| I can safely say it is a blessing to see the | | | | body. Synthetic drugs and hormones are used for |
| potential best of both worlds. In the field of | | | | impaired bodily functions. Artificial limbs and organs |
| pharmacy in which I work, I know there is a | | | | are used to replace diseased body parts. |
| general consensus among most patients I come | | | | Nevertheless, in Eastern Medicine, the person is |
| into contact with, that there is a preference to | | | | considered an inherent part of nature - where |
| not resort to drugs if they can avoid it. If there | | | | one's body is a microcosm existing in a |
| was a 'natural' alternative, they would undoubtedly | | | | macrocosm. The learning process inevitably begins |
| turn to that. There is an increasing wave of | | | | with the Universe and the Laws of Nature that |
| distrust for the 'Big Pharmas', whose often | | | | are parallel to bodily phenomena. In Chapter 1 of |
| questionable marketing practices and strategies | | | | Ling Shu in the 'Huang Di Nei Jing' (The Yellow |
| lead the world to wonder whether their best | | | | Emperor's Canon of Medicine), I quote: |
| interest is in creating better medicines or better | | | | "...man is nothing but a creature living between the |
| profit. This may be partially why there is an | | | | heaven and the earth...Atmosphere is what |
| increasing trend in the usage of complementary | | | | heaven bestows on us; Produce is what Earth |
| and alternative medicines - whose sales continues | | | | bestows on us. Life is a product of the interaction |
| to climb despite the economic downturn. More and | | | | between the atmosphere of Heaven and the |
| more, are hospitals and physicians incorporating or | | | | produce of Earth; and reproductive energy is the |
| recommending alternate therapies such as | | | | source of life..." |
| acupuncture and supplements into their healthcare | | | | To contrast, the learning process in Western |
| practices. | | | | medicine begins with diving into every aspect of a |
| Comparative Paradigms | | | | person in great detail - from microscopic to |
| The Western medical paradigm is based upon | | | | macroscopic, beginning with biology, histology, |
| hypothetical deduction, where every statement is | | | | microbiology, then to anatomy and physiology and |
| a result of a series of fact probings. The research | | | | finally to clinical practice and/or various niche fields |
| method ie. evidence-based medicine, is founded on | | | | eg. surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics etc. |
| the Newtonian scientific method, based upon a | | | | When you consider the path of the progress |
| well thought out hypothesis (a fundamental | | | | made in Western medicine over the past decades |
| question for a which a result is to be found) and | | | | towards an integration of the mind and body |
| aim. Results are based on clear observations and | | | | (biopsychosocial model), it is clear preventative |
| or measurements. Results are then analysed and | | | | and holistic health will become more mainstream in |
| discussed in detail. In contrast, Eastern medicine | | | | the near future. This is in part fuelled by increasing |
| methodology is inductive - starting from direct | | | | health costs to fund retiring Baby Boomers |
| experience and its accumulation derived from | | | | worldwide. As such, not only for the sake of |
| practitioners who have traditionally practised over | | | | sustainability per se, but more importantly, a |
| thousands of years. | | | | return to the essence of true health care that is |
| The view on health and disease is also contrasting. | | | | based on empowerment and control of one's |
| Western medicine clearly divides health from | | | | livelihood, not simply disease management. |
| disease. Disease is perceived as an unwanted | | | | Needless to say, is more easily said than done, |
| dysfunctioning of the body or mind. The | | | | and will require some major shifts in paradigms of |
| predominant focus is on the individual ie. patient | | | | thought. However, this will be conversation for |
| centred care. However, Eastern medicine sees | | | | another time. |