INTEGRATIVE MEDICINEnnAs a medical biochemist I have been working for many years sidenby side with medical doctors toward the same goal - to protectnand heal patients from diseases. During my professional trainingnprogram I got very basic knowledge of medicine, but I nevernunderstood why highly trained medical professionals were neverntaught anything about self-healing and the natural healingncapacity of human beings. I asked myself why they were sonuncomfortable with alternative (traditional) therapies andnspirituality. Where are all the free thinkers in modern medicinenthat have the power to bring attention to alternative therapies?nMy next question was; is modern medicine neglecting our naturalnmind-body connection? I hope, not. Although integrative medicinenis gaining recognition by the medical establishment, the pace isnmuch too slow. By the end of their training, many doctors feelnthat the compassion and spirit which drew them to medicine hasnbeen lost. Why is that?nnTo better understand the terms used in this article, I would likento give you a few definitions: nnModern medicine, also known as western, regular or conventionalnmedicine, is focused mainly on the physical aspect of the bodynfor treatment. Another name for modern medicine is allopathicnmedicine.nnAlternative medicine, known as traditional or natural medicine,nis a general term given to wide range of therapies, most of whichnare more than 100 years old. Alternative medicine takes anholistic approach, meaning that it does not involve only thenphysical body, but also considers the mind and spirit. It definesnhealth as a state of complete balance between the mind, body, andnspirit.nnIntegrative Medicine combines western and alternative approachesnand supplements, but does not replace conventional therapy.nIntegrative medicine neither rejects conventional medicine nornaccepts alternative medicine uncritically.nnAt the very beginning of the Integrative medicine era, manynphysicians were faced with a huge dilemma: either they learn andnincorporate alternative therapies into their practice or theynignore them. But to incorporate them was to take a risk, the risknof losing the trust and confidence of their patients who werenaccustomed to other therapies. Also, physicians didn't want tonviolate the sacrosanct principle they were taught: "First, Do NotnHarm". They were afraid of trying something new or differentnbecause conventional science tells us that "alternative treatmentncan't work because we don't know how it works "!nnThe dilemma is understandable from a medical point of view.nModern medicine wants everything to be explained scientificallynand logically. That's OK, but, on the other hand, there is andemand for alternative medicine, which people have tried andnbenefited from. How should one respond to huge demands fornalternative methods? If alternative therapies work, and we knownthey do, then physicians need to consider them. Happily, theynfinally are doing so.nnThe medical profession is finally learning the ancient theorynthat we cannot understand disease unless we understand the personnwho has the disease and accept the fact that the mind and bodynare bound together. Our minds and bodies are designed to stay innbalance. The great majority of diseases for which patients seeknmedical help are in part psychosomatic, meaning that bodilynsymptoms are caused by mental or emotional disturbance.nTherefore, we need the help of science to deal with our health,nbut we also need to provide the patient with hope and faith innthe treatment. Today's MD's should be emotionally andnscientifically competent to treat psychosomatic illness; if notnthe patient will return with another problem! Do you know why?nBecause no one looked into why he developed the illness in thenfirst place!nnFuture generations of physicians need time to become familiarnwith integrative medicine. Hopefully they will find the time tonbetter understand not only illness but also their patients.nIntegrative medicine is one step closer to a better relationshipnbetween patient and doctor.nnWe are glad that we now have Integrative medicine: a combinationnof alternative and western medicine, healing-oriented medicine.nIntegrative medicine considers the body, mind, and spirit,nincluding lifestyle. This medicine uses conventional andnalternative methods, bringing together the best of both worlds.nnIn many cases traditional healing methods were introduced tonwestern medicine by patients! They brought their own healingntraditions to their MD’s. Actually, they knew their traditionnhad been effective for them in the past and they wanted to usenthem now!nnFortunately, they have found very gifted, open-minded doctors,nwho let them use their own healing traditions, but kept anwatchful eye on the treatment to make sure they didn't hurt theirnpatients. And that's how modern western medicine learned aboutntraditional, alternative therapies. Bit by bit, modern medicinenaccepted the reality that western medicine can not offer all thensolutions, yet it remains confident in modern science whilenaccepting alternative treatments.nnIntegrative medicine use mind-body therapies such as meditation,nspiritual healing, acupuncture, self-hypnosis, mindfulness,nstress reduction, visualization, yoga, Tai Chi, body energynfields, reflexology, massage, guided imagery, prayer and manynother alternative methods. Although we know for sure that ournmind plays a positive role in the healing process, how it does sonremains a mystery!nnYes, integrative medicine brought the patient's attitude, spirit,nhope, faith, meaning and beliefs into medical offices, definitelynchanging the western approach to healing. Integrative medicine isnstill surrounded with skepticism and controversy. In the nearnfuture, it needs to be implemented in medical schools andnresidencies, with more certificate courses for practicingnphysicians and other health professionals. The challenges arenmany, and the opportunities are great.nnIntegrative medicine is not only for the ill, but for those whonwish to increase their self-awareness, enhance their well-being,nand help prevent health-related problems. In bringing meditationnand other spiritual and alternative therapies into westernnmedicine, medical professionals have changed the face of modernnmedicine.nnThankfully, after many years of denying alternative therapies,nmodern western medicine is ready to accept mind/energy orientedntherapies and other alternative treatments as powerful tools inntheir battle for people's health. In this way patients andnpractitioners are partners in the healing process.nnToday, physicians are more educated about alternative methods yetnremain uncomfortable while practicing it. A new approach tonmedicine requires a new approach to medical education. However,nthis is changing because of newly introduced training programs innIntegrative Medicine. The world of modern western medicine isnchanging every day for better, and that is good for patients.nnIt is my wish that alternative therapies will gradually play anmore important role in our current medical system.nnJahiel - Yasha-
Kamhinjasakamhi@hotmail.com