I used to wonder what the term Complementary Medicine meant. Really, I couldn’t see the sense in it! Often we are brought up (wrongly I now believe) to see one or the other, black/white, right/left, tall/short, our way/their way, etc. But if we simply open our hearts and minds and embrace and see value in everything around us, our lives suddenly become richer and more rounded. This is the case with Complementary Medicine.
A wonderful definition of Complementary Medicine is: “Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a broad domain of healing resources that encompasses all health systems, modalities, and practices and their accompanying theories and beliefs, other than those intrinsic to the politically dominant health system of a particular society or culture in a given historical period”. (at http://www.bmj.com/content/319/7211/693 accessed on 24/6/13)
One does not have to look too far to see that there are inherent strengths and weaknesses on both “sides” of medicine and I believe more often than not where one fails, the other cures and vice versa. Take for example cancer. When I mention cancer to my Chinese Therapist he simply shakes his head with a stern look of resignation. Yet with many forms of cancer now, if you speak with an Oncologist there is often hope. There is increasingly a pathway to potentially heal, or at least prolong life. Alternatively, if you ask my Chinese Therapist about infertility from non-specific causes, he stands up confidently and says “we can do something about that”. But, while western medicine has made incredible advances in technologies surrounding techniques like In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), the process is still very much an expensive roll of the dice for those desperate to parent.
Which form of medicine is better? I don’t believe proponents of either can claim ultimate glory. What about allergies for example? There are some great Homeopathic remedies to cure allergies. I believe western medicine struggles with allergies in most cases. Yet, if you have a serious disease such as pancreatitis, you would probably opt for western medical treatment over the Homeopathy. The debate can go on and on.
I personally suggest a truly complementary approach to your healing and healthcare in general. As I mentioned earlier, there is much more power in being open to the various modalities available to us. Ask your family, friends and workmates what has worked for them. Do your own research. Be open-minded and try new remedies from a reliable source. Above all, where possible I advocate using a dual or holistic approach. For example, if you are receiving radiotherapy for cancer (which smashes your immune system) discuss alternative therapies with your doctor which can boost the immune system in a natural way possibly enabling a quicker recovery or at least buying more time to explore alternatives if the situation is dire.
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