Classifying Healers Popular Folk Professional

Popular Sector Informal, Non- specialist Early identification & definition illness Family, Friend, & Community based Self & home-based treatment Colloquial Advice Unpaid

Folk Sector: A.K.A ‘Traditional Medicine’ Semi-specialized, limited focus Community based Apprentice, Reveled or Experiential Education Paid or Gifted Holistic treatment Shared worldview Herbalists Curanderos Faith Healers Voodun Mambos Bone Setters Injectionists Spiritualists Midewewin Shaman Faito’o, Fafo

Folk Healers Generally know patient, family & community Permit community members to assist Relaxed, familiar setting Explain the *why* of illness Dualistic explanation systems: –spirit/social world + individual body

Professional Healers Graduates of formalized program State sanctioned Standardized & Specialized Knowledge System Claims to authority backed by ‘science’ Offers treatment for ALL types illness

Professional Sector Ayurvedic Chiropractic Homeopathy MD’s (Physicians) Naturopathy Osteopathy Traditional Chinese Medicine Professional Traditional Healers

Professionals Physicians, Doctors of Medicine, A.K.A: –A–Allopathic medicine –C–Cosmopolitan medicine, –W–Western medicine, –S–Scientific medicine, –B–Biomedicine Allopathic: –T–Treat by contradicting symptom Cosmopolitan: –E–Epistemology absorbs all successful & popular Tx. Western: –T–Traces roots to Greek Hippocratic School & Galen Scientific: –A–All knowledge & treatment subject to principles of Popperian investigation (hypothesis driven, replicable results).

Professionals: Chiropractic –Health = healthy nervous system –Founded by David Palmer (USA) –Links to “magnetic therapy” –Treat with spinal adjustment (alleviation of ‘subluxations’) –Cosmopolitan: Absorbs therapy & theory from meridian & homeopathic systems. –Western: Roots in USA –Scientific (semi): Do conduct research & recognize biomedical research.

Professionals: Homeopaths Like cures like” (Hippocrates) –Stimulation of the body’s natural defenses by re- producing the symptoms of disease –“Law of infinitesimals”: potency can be improved with dilution. –De-emphasize standard diagnostic symptoms, emphasize individualized Tx & ‘cookbook’ approach. History: –Founded in 18th century by Samuel Hahnemann –Widely practiced alongside allopathy in USA, until Flexner Report –Post Flexner, accepted women & minority students

Professionals: Naturopaths Philosophy –Health is more than being disease free –Comprehensive, permanent behavior change is key to health –Physician as role model/guide to behavior change History Founded by Benedict Lust, early 20th century J. H. Kellogg’s “Wellville” is most famous naturopathic experiment –Places/Politics Until WWII, widely practiced alongside allopathy Resurgence in 1960s, Bastyr University founded NIH designates Bastyr as the center for HIV/AIDS alternative therapy research Today –NDs licensed to practice in 11 states (limited privileges) –40%-69% of Americans seek care by NDs –1996, first state-funded clinic founded, Kent, WA

Professionals: Ayurveda Philosophy –Ayurveda = Life science in Sanskrit –Health = balance in doshas(elements) within tissues (dhatus) by the proper elimination of waste products (malas). –Rejects objectivism –Therapies include herbal remedies, yoga History –Ancient Indian medical system –Mid-20th century interest in the west, Deepak Chopra (MD with ayurvedic philosophy) Today –No formal education or licensing in the US today, many in India –10 clinics exist in NA, one hospital based

Alternative Medicines: Aromatherapy & Herbalism Aromatherapy –Odorus parts of plants applied via a number of delivery systems to affect phsyiological processes (similarity to pharmacology) –Antecedents in history, but really a 20th century phenomenon in the west –Often incorporated into massage, herbalism, other alternative therapies, but no formal discipline Herbalism –Treatment through plant-derived drugs only –“Law of Signatures” applies cross culturally –Widely practiced until WWII, currently practice is unregulated, but remedies are subject to FDA approval

Despite alternatives, Allopathy Remains the dominant model Multiple models coexisted in the US up to the end of the 19th century By WWII, allopathy is the dominant model Key Historical/Political/Economic events: –Founding of AMA and attacks on “quackery” –1910 Flexner Report –1935, Gov’t. definition of Doctor = MD (amended in 1938) = state protected title.

Professionals in general: Modern practice –MDs, Naturopaths and chiropractors are primary prescribers. –Regulated by the state (i.e. Food & Drug Act), even when self-administered –Biomedicine assumes a standardized diagnostic & treatment regime; –Homeopathy & Naturopathy offer a more individualized diagnostic & treatment system (than biomedicine).

Professionalized Traditional medicines: for a later class. Please stay caught up in the readings. Sorry I could not be there – I am thinking of you all though!