Whole Medical Systems Part I Dr. Ashley Love
Let’s Review!
CAM CAM is Complementary and Alternative Medicine CIM is Complementary and Integrative Medicine What’s the difference?
CAM CAM is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine (NCCAM, 2009).
CIM Complementary medicines are those that are used in conjunction with conventional medicine (NCCAM, 2009). Examples?
Examples Probiotics and Antibiotics Glutamine and Chemotherapy Surgery and Homeopathy Potassium with Diuretics
Alternative Alternative medicines are those that are used instead of conventional medicine (NCCAM, 2009). Examples?
Examples Diet instead of conventional cancer treatments Botanical medicine vs. antibiotics Amino acids vs. mood stabilizers (Prozac, etc.)
CIM Complementary and Integrative Medicine This is a newer term which was devised by Micozzi in response to Harvard Medical School’s definition of “Alternative” medicine as “those practices explicitly used for the purpose of medical intervention, health promotion or disease prevention which are not routinely taught at U.S. medical schools nor routinely underwritten by third-party payers.”
CIM? The idea behind this new acronym is that just because a medicine or therapy isn’t being promoted by the U.S. health care system shouldn’t mean that the therapy is “alternative,” when tens of millions of Americans routinely use them (NCCAM, 2009).
What’s the topic this week? This week we’ll begin learning about the idea of whole medical systems. Types of whole medical systems we’ll discuss are: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Acupuncture Ayurvedic Medicine Homeopathic Medicine
Whole Medical Systems According to NCCAM, whole medical systems are built upon complete systems of theory and practice (2009).
The Theory Whole medical systems have their own philosophy about what constitutes health and how dis-ease occurs (NCCAM, 2009).
The Practice Whole medical systems often have their own ideas about the best methods for treating dis-ease once it has occurred (NCCAM, 2009).
Whole Medical Systems - Part I For this week, we will explore these WMS. Traditional Chinese Medicine Ayurveda Homeopathic Medicine
What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?
Traditional Chinese Medicine Health is achieved by maintaining the body in a "balanced state" and that disease is due to an internal imbalance of yin and yang (NCCAM, 2009).
Acupuncture Acupuncture is a form of treatment that is considered part of the Traditional Chinese Medicine formulary (NCCAM, 2009).
Acupuncture Acupuncture is thought to work by correcting imbalances or stagnations in “qi” (NCCAM, 2009).
Qi The closest translation of qi that we have in english is “energy.” This energy is thought to flow through our bodies in channels called meridians. When the flow of the qi is disrupted, illness ensues (Centers for Spiritual and Healing, 2003).
More Qi Many of the movements used in martial arts are done to manipulate the opponent’s qi. Some forms, like Tai Chi try to strengthen the qi with movements.
Meridians There are a total of 20 meridians in the body through which the qi flows. There are 12 main meridians, and there are 400 acupuncture points which lie on these meridians. Meridians are sometimes referred to as “channels.”
The Meridians
Needles Acupuncture needles are used to stimulate the qi within the meridians. The needles can be moved in different ways to direct the qi to obtain the desired results.
What is Ayurvedic Medicine?
Ayurvedic Medicine A system of medicine that places equal emphasis on the body, mind, and spirit, and strives to restore the innate harmony of the individual (NCCAM, 2009).
What is Homeopathic Medicine?
Homeopathic Medicine It is based on a belief that “similars (or like cures like) can be cured by substances that produces similar symptoms in healthy people” (NCCAM, 2009).
Any Questions?
Next Week We’ll be discussing more about whole medical systems in terms! See you then!