Complementary Medicine - Help for All
Complementary medicine represents a range of various health resources that are perceived as existing outside of the dominant health system of a particular culture at a particular time. For the UK as it enters the new millennium, many disciplines come under this umbrella term. Some are ancient, such as herbalism, drawing on the wisdom of hundreds of years. More recent therapies, such as Alexander technique, are from the early 20th century.
Over the last 30 years complementary medicine has grown in popularity as the public appreciates there are many ways of improving health. More GPs and hospital doctors are also realising the role the various therapies have to offer in the management of patient care.
Complementary medicine can help in the treatment programme of all states of health, often working alongside other health care practitioners. It can be useful particularly in dealing with the "unwell" state. It offers the patient options in dealing with their health through different means, from the subtle administrations of the acupuncturist to the elegant therapy of the Shiatsu practitioner. As well as treating the patient, there is frequently the chance for the individual to learn about his or her condition, manage it and discover ways of preventing the condition from reoccurring.
Conventional Western medical practitioners evaluate the human condition using a background of knowledge of anatomy and physiology; the structure and function of healthy individual. They then study pathology; the cause origin and nature of disease. To treat a diagnosed condition they will prescribe medication (drugs), remove or replace diseased tissue and organs (surgery), or administer other procedures, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy or various electromagnetic stimulations.
However, there are many states affecting people which do not fit into a neat pattern of diagnosis. Blood tests, X-rays, body scans and other such clinical tests prove negative, and yet the patient is still "unwell". Typically these conditions are chronic (long-lasting), and many can be quite debilitating. Complementary medicine offers choice and the opportunity for the person to improve the quality of life.