Comments on: What are the differences between these types of practices of medicine?

By: Paul W

Paul W — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 01:23:42 +0000

It’s easier to look at what they have in common that is, They all attempt to treat the illness rather than the symptoms (or the cause rather than the effect).
This is the exact opposite approach to that taken by conventional ‘main stream’ medicine (allopathic) which seeks to ‘treat’ an ailment rather than cure it.
The reason is simple. Vast amounts of money can be made (by big pharma) by providing treatments that keep the problem intact (ie not killing the goose that lays the golden egg, or at least, not until as much money as possible has been extracted from their medical insurance).
In the USA, the AMA (assisted by the FDA) seek to outlaw most of the practices in question due to the relatively high cure rate compared to allopathic treatment. Cures obviously affect the profit margins of a system that puts economic wealth before individuals health.
Have a nice day!

By: irenaaneri1980

irenaaneri1980 — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 00:47:47 +0000

integrative=integrating modalities of Conventional Medicine and Natural Medicine eg:we have quite a few M.Ds who practice Integrative Medicine here in Sydney.

Alternative=any alternative/other option to Conventional Medicine.

Complementary=usually means using a from of Alternative Medicine to complement Conventional medicine /pharmaceutical treatment eg:herbs being given in conjunction with Chemotherapy to reduce negative effects.

Holistic=umm,i guess this term varies from person to person.it could either mean taking an approach of/looking at both physical symptoms plus any lifestyle causes that could be contributing to them eg:too much anger or stress,emotional eating etc.
or to another person/practitioner it could mean approach of interelation of “body,mind,spirit” and personal views would depend on the person faith belief eg:newage,christian,muslims etc.

Homeopathic=diluting substances,water,shaking,tiny doses,like cures like ecetera.

Naturopathic+here down under pretty much equals herbs,herbalist.Most Naturopaths here are dealing with herbs & if a person mentiosn going to naturopath its pretty well understand that the person is referring to herbal medicine although the term Naturopathic could be different in different countries-im not aware re: internationally sorry.

Chinese Medicine=the diagnostic and herbal aspect is quite sophisticated although on surface it might not appear to be to some.its actually very indepth and when you can get the knowledge on what the terms= in “western medicine” language you become aware of how advanced and sophisticated it actually is considering the age/origins & not having diagnostic equipment.
Chinese MEdicine uses alot of terms like Spleen Qi deficiency,Lung Deficiency etc & some practitioners are very good at diagnosing off these terms.At the same time,its even better to better aware of what the terms correspond to in “western medicine” For example Spleen Qi has little to do with the spleen as we know it but actually means weak digestion and poor nutrient absorbtion.

Acupuncture=needles.

By: Mr E

Mr E — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 23:49:19 +0000

what they have in common is that they are investigated and used by an ever larger number of people as their confidence in standard allopathic medicine has been lost. despite it’s vast wealth and control of the media and influence in government, allopathy’s failures are too numerous and costly to be swept under the rug and many people find it’s claims of scientific superiority hollow and it’s condemnation of alternatives self-serving.

By: wmayers99

wmayers99 — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 23:29:32 +0000

They’re all basically code words for quackery.

By: Lightning

Lightning — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 22:43:00 +0000

Integrative implies a multi disciplined approach either using different fields of conventional medicine or a combination of medical fields looking at the same patient and symptoms.

Alternative and complementary implies use of non conventional medicine from other medical systems.

Holistic implies looking at the body as a whole using any system of medicine as opposed to reductionist which just looks at the area of symptoms.

Homeopathic, naturopathic and chinese medicine are systems of medicine with a definate model and philosophy.

Acupuncture is a part of the spectrum of chinese medicine.

By: chuck

chuck — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 21:48:16 +0000

They are all forms of quackery (or terms used to describe quackery). i.e. there is no evidence that they work and everything we know about the world suggests that they can’t possibly work.

By: Larry<---

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 20:57:00 +0000

WOAH i saw you from the other post!
Alternative is secondary.
Complimentary is like a catalyst but not necessary.
Holistic has not been proven but successful for some people.
Homeopathic has not been proven but successful for many people.
The other things are for somebody else. ( :

By: Tyler

Tyler — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 20:36:36 +0000

i know alternitive is just if one medicine dosent effect you right theres another of the same type, alternative.

Ive heard of Homeopathic and Nautropathic, but i have no idea what they are.

Chinese medicine can be a variety of things, some give wierd ass massages, some do seeweed wraps, and then theres stuff like opium

Acupuncture is where they inject needles into you to relieve stress or somthing, not sure, its kind of like a more extreme massage.