Abstract The paper explains the philosophy of medicine and Western views that support the allopathic viewpoint. The paper then details the criticism levelled at conventional medicine, which concerns allopathic medicine's lack of understanding of the holistic and interconnected nature of human health. The paper concludes that there is no doubt that modern allopathic medicine has brought about incredible advances in disease control and healthcare. The paper also shows, however, that there are also many risks and dangers to this form of medicine that are not as widely known or publicized.
Outline:
Introduction
The Negative Aspects of Allopathic Medicine
Conclusion
From the Paper "A definition of allopathic medicine is: "The system of medical practice which treats disease by the use of remedies which produce effects different from those produced by the disease under treatment." (Definition of Allopathic medicine) Allopathic medicine is also known as formal or conventional medicine and refers to accepted Western health and medical practices. The term "allopathic" originated in 1842 and is ascribed to C.F.S. Hahnemann who used the terms to differentiate conventional medicine from homeopathy, which is a system of medicine based on producing the same symptoms as the disease or disorder. (Definition of Allopathic medicine)"
Abstract This paper discusses the topic of allopathic medicine or modern medicine. It examines how the allopathic approach to medicine has shown itself to be more kill than cure and how a change is desperately needed. It shows how modern allopathic medicine oppresses women and treats childbearing and childhood as a pathology and in general it takes a terrible toll with unnecessary and even dangerous techniques. It argues how modern medicine is in collusion with the pharmaceutical and insurance industries to create a system of profit rather than health and how the only effective alternative is to turn back to natural cures, to proper nutrition and diet and a holistic approach to healing.
From the Paper "While women are far more likely to have unnecessary surgeries (other than circumcision) performed on them, allopathic medicine's rush to operate is nearly criminal in all cases. In a review of New York hospitals, 43% of hysterectomies reviewed were shown to be unnecessary. Mendelsohn records that the most conservative estimates suggest that about 2.4 million unnecessary surgeries are performed every year. The number is likely far higher than that when one takes into account that even "officially" necessary surgeries may not always be the best choice. Men as well as women suffer in this regard. Doctors overprescribe pharmaceutical medicines designed to treat rather than to cure. They also perform hosts of unnecessary surgeries. Even surgeries that may seem necessary are no guarantees. For example, according to Smith's research, there is no difference in long term survival between those with cardiac problems who agree to undergo surgery (and survive it) and those who do not undergo surgery."
Abstract This paper explains that the more common personal health care style is a collective health care process, called alternative medicine or complementary medicine, which includes elements of allopathic practice, non-natural medicine and surgery and of natural medicine. The author points out the idea that natural medicine is actually traditional medicine and should be looked at as such, with benefits and drawbacks, just as allopathic medicine is consider by many people. As an example of the presented natural health therapies; the paper relates that the Alexander technique, both a natural health practice and a restorative natural medical treatment, is a technique used to reduce repetitive motion injury by retraining the body to move in a different, more natural way.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Natural Health
Hydrotherapy
Herbalism
Eclectic Medicine
Natural Hygiene
Natural Philosophy
Natural Healing
Natural Medicine
Fingernail and Tongue Analysis
Iridology
Hair Analysis
Live Blood Analysis (Darkfield Microscopy) and Dry Blood Analysis
Antibody (IgE, IgG) Test for Food Allergies
Acid-Alkaline Balance (Ph Testing)
Alternative Therapies
Acupuncture
Acupressure
Air Supply Personal Air Purifier
Alexander Technique.
Aromatherapy
Astropulse
Ayurveda
Bathing Therapy
Biomagnetics (Magnetic Field Energy Therapy)
Electro-Dermal Screening
Chelation Therapy
Chi Lel
Chiropractic Treatment
Colloidal Silver Therapy
Colonic Therapy (Colon Lavage, Colon Hydrotherapy)
Color Therapy (Chromotherapy)
Crystal Healing
Dental Amalgam Mercury Removal
Detoxification Therapy
Reflexology
Shiatsu
Rolfing
Fasting
Feng Shui Balance
Flower Essence Therapy
Food Detoxification
Flotation Tank
Glandular Therapy
Prayer
Guided Imagery (Visualization)
Herbal Medicine
Homeopathy
Hydrotherapy
Hypnotherapy
Hydrogen Peroxide Therapy
Juicing
Kinesiology
Laughter (Play) Therapy
Light Beam Generator Therapy
Light Therapy (Solar Therapy)
Lymphatic Therapy
Macrobiotics Diet
Massage Therapy
Moxibustion
Music and Sound Therapy
Naturopathy
Osteopathy
Oxygen Therapy
Radionics (Radiesthesia Dowsing), Reflexology
Reiki (Therapeutic Touch)
Infrared Heat Therapy
Vitamin C Therapy
Yoga
Holistic Nutrition
Food Safety
Exercise
Conventional Medicine
Maintaining Health
From the Paper "In the time surrounding the Revolutionary War (1775-1783), in America, medicine was often seen as a part-time practice, conducted by laywomen and men who had a vocation for the healing arts or who inherited the knowledge from ancestral teachers. These healers who took care of their friends and families illnesses, injuries and births performed most medicine, outside the major centers of population. "Of course, these natural healing practices varied from locality to locality with major cities, like Boston, Philadelphia, and New York City having hospitals and other medical practices approaching those found in Europe.""
Abstract Examines Hahnemann's theories. His belief that homeopathy was a great advance in the healing arts. His views of causes and healing of chronic disease, and of allopathic physicians. Discusses key terms (miasm, psora). Developing theory. Hahnemann's conceptualization of health and disease in general; the vital force; the disease process.
From the Paper "Hahnemann on Chronic Diseases
Introduction
In the first few pages of his work on chronic diseases, Hahnemann set forth his thoughts on traditional allopathic practice and his belief that homeopathy represented a great advance, a great gift from God. To him, allopathy was characterized by the draining nature of its remedies which, if they worked, were likely to cause new diseases in the remediation of old ones. Homeopathy, however, was viewed as resolving the root problem in chronic disease and actually healing the patient. The intention in the following pages is to explore this theory of chronic disease, including developing theory and some key terms."
This paper traces the evolution of women's health and medical practices through the 19th century, citing "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman in the analysis of female hysteria.
Abstract This paper explores women's health issues in the 19th century. The writer suggests that the attitudes of men toward women were central to issues concerning women's health. The paper looks at primitive gynecologic practices, allopathic medicine, personalities including midwife Martha Ballard and trends such as Lydia Pinkham's Vegetable Compound. The writer concludes that studying the history of the progress in women's health is an excellent way for women to learn what they will have to do to improve their own futures.
From the Paper "In the 19th century, any female complaint was likely to be considered a nervous disorder. The woman in "The Yellow Wallpaper" is the victim of what contemporary men labeled "hysteria" for which many hysterectomies were performed. Getting out from behind that male imposed wallpaper was a major effort of will for women. If she complained too much, a woman would most likely be subjected to the new hysterectomy procedure developed by Dr. Robert Battley, which had a very high mortality rate. Doctors like the husband in Gilman's story provoked a reactionary movement that included the efforts of Dr. John Kellogg and Dr. Sylvester Graham, part of the popular health movement that flourished from 1820-1870. They encouraged loose, healthy clothing, exercise and steam baths for both sexes, advocated vegetarian, whole wheat, alcohol free diets and strongly rejected masturbation as sinful, lawless and unhealthy."
Abstract This paper explains that, in addition to an acute incidence of AIDS, the local disease situation including bubonic plague, cholera, dengue fever, hepatitis A, malaria, meningitis, schistosomiasis and typhoid fever, presents an increased opportunity for selling medical supplies in Africa's Mozambique. The author points out that Mozambique's severe, generalized AIDS epidemic handicapped by a meager health infrastructure, pockets of population concentration and increased economic contact with adjacent nations with HIV prevalence rates. The paper relates that, although the National Health System (NHS), which is the primary service provider of allopathic service in Mozambique, faces extremely limited human and material resources, the NHS has managed to enhance the coverage of the health system since the last decade through an increase in the health facility infrastructure and health sector staff.
From the Paper "While entering Africa's anti-AIDS drug market the company has to be considered as the top performer in the Black Economic Empowerment -- BEEE in South Africa and its expansion into the remaining region of Africa is backed by the SA Health Minister Manto Tshabalala Msimang. The new sector of trade and investment into Africa will render a crucial boost to the SA Black business that believes it has a hard task breaking into the white business world. The health minister stated that the local production of the anti-retroviral HIV treatment drugs which is being backed by the World Health Program must be seen in the context of the "regional" meaning of the African continent."
Abstract This work is a research study investigating alternative therapies in medical treatment. The paper looks at allopathic medicine, holistic medicine, complimentary and alternative Medicine and integrated medicine. Discussed are the pros and cons of these types of medicines over 'traditional' medicine and how these may serve to compliment traditional medicine.
Outline:
Abstract
Objective
Introduction
Categories of CAM
Questions of Research
Literature Review
Discussion
Conclusion
From the Paper "The study of Lengacher et al., (2006) was in order to make identification of the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) that relieves symptoms and side effects among women diagnosed with breast cancer and to make identification demographic and clinical factors associated with the use of CAM in these patients. The study design is one that was "a descriptive, cross sectional survey in the setting of clinics and community groups in the Tampa Bay area and community groups in the rural Midwestern area."
This paper argues that the U.S. health care system, especially in its life saving allopathic rather than preventative form, creates a cost conflict for consumers.
Abstract This paper explains that an extremely aggressive medical care system has created a cost prohibitive demand for heroic measures rather than a system that takes the whole of the community into account and allows the consumer preventative care and reasonable end-of-life care. The author stresses that the middle class is most significantly feeling the strangling effects of this out-of-control medical system and ethic. The paper concludes that the bottom line of this multivariate situation is that there seems to be very little real accountability. The paper includes many quotations.
From the Paper "For example, in a logical capitalistic situation, the price to utilize a particular piece of equipment should go down as demand goes up to offset the initial cost of producing and or acquiring the product. Yet, the costs seem to continue to rise regardless of how many other people have been charged $2,000 to use the equipment costing about 50 cents per minute to run the equipment for a test period of no longer than 30 minutes in most cases, or how long the equipment has been used. Though this is a far simplified analogy, sustainability should still be at the forefront of thought on the issue of equipment and supplies."
Abstract This paper analyzes Jean Watson's nursing theory of human caring. The paper explains that this theory is based on a phenomenological and transpersonal approach to the understanding of the interconnectedness of human relationships and other elements in the promotion of caring and healing. The paper then points out that one of the most important aspects of Watson's theory is that it is a method and a philosophy that transcends the dualistic subject-object division between patient and healer that has been the hallmark of conventional allopathic medicine and healthcare. The paper also looks at how this approach takes into account various aspects of the healing process, which can include ontological, philosophical, ethical, and historical aspects. The paper explains that the revolutionary aspect of this theory lies in its underlying theoretical dimension; namely the concept of being-in-relation. This concept addresses a gap in modern medical theory in thatit insists on the reciprocal and mutual interaction between the healer or nurse and the patient. The writer believes that it is through the connectivity of this process that the true in-depth value of this theory reveals itself.
Outline:
Introduction
Theoretical Origins
Curative Factors
The Application of Curative Factors
Conclusion
From the Paper "In summary, Watson's theory is a new paradigm in healing and health care. The main point of her theory is that it attempt to address what she sees as an increasingly technological emphasis in modern medicine and nursing which uses medical and surgical mean to cure ailment and disease to the exclusion of the myriad of other tools and methods that are an essential part of the healing process. Watson poses an alternative and contrasting view which focuses on "...conscious compassionate skills that help patients achieve a healthy state of mind, body, and spirit" (Norred C. 2000). The therapeutic interpersonal relationship between the nurse and patient is the focus of emphasis."
Abstract The paper explains the practice of acupuncture and its methods. The paper then discusses how acupuncture comes from a very different medical and philosophical background than Western medicine. The paper reveals that while there is still a general resistance to the deeper implications and worldview that acupuncture represents, it is having an increasing impact on Western forms of medicine and healing praxis.
From the Paper "Acupuncture has become one of the most widely known alternative healing therapies practiced today. Briefly this technique works through regulating and balancing the life force of energy fields that flows through the body by the insertion of fine needles at selected points. The theory is that the insertion of these needles in specific points or areas of the body affects and influences the Chi or the "life-force" that flows through the body through energetic channels or meridians. These meridians link the various organs of the body. There are twelve major meridians. The needles stimulate the flow of chi, rebalancing the flow of energy in the body, relieving pain and restoring health. "
Tags: needles, Chi, energy, fields, meridians, allopathic, conventional, medicine
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that for those unfamiliar with the world of health care, medical practitioners and nurses would appear to be of the same discipline. The writer then points out that this is far from the truth, as the allopathic medical model of patient care and the more holistic model of nursing care differ in both essential and minor ways. This paper discusses the differences between nursing and medicine with regards to history, focus, education and career flexibility. The writer notes that nurses and physicians work side-by-side in the same setting every day and that each discipline needs the other in order to provide comprehensive health care for the patient. The writer concludes that one could say that nurses have been trained to treat the patient while physicians are trained to treat the disease.
Outline:
History
Focus
Education
Flexibility
From the Paper "That being said, the focus of the physician in the treatment setting is to cure the disease which brings the patient in. To the nurse, the focus is more holistic. Nurses enlist the patient and family as active participants in care, with a focus on wellness. Nurses focus on the education of patient and family in disease management, personal hygiene and transmission prevention, and many other psycho-social elements of illness and disease. Despite the movement of medicine towards prevention and evidence based intervention, it is still the primary focus of the physician to "make the patient well". While the nurse also wants the patient to be well, he or she will also want to help the patient understand the disease and empower the patient to prevent relapse."
