Posted: September 3rd, 2022

What is the Difference Between Western Medicine and Alternative Medicine?

What is the Difference Between Western Medicine and Alternative Medicine?
Also known as biomedical medicine, western medicine encompasses the use of scientifically proven treatments to heal ailments. Alternative medicine entails the use of non-scientific methods to cure diseases. Although both of them aim at curing diseases, they are different. Western medicine is evidence-based; research reveals whether medical interventions are efficient or not. Alternative medicine is untested and unproven.
The basis of alternative medicine includes; traditional practices, religion, pseudoscience, superstition, fraud, erroneous human reasoning, propaganda, and supernatural sources. The foundation of western medicine is science. It was discovered by Hippocrates, who is also known as the father of western medicine. Before its discovery, people-based ailments on other sources such as deities, for instance, people with seizures, were thought to have angered the gods. Hippocrates put forward the idea that diseases have natural explanations.
While western medicine focuses on pathology and curing diseases, alternative medicine concentrates on overall body health and healing the individual. There are different types of alternative medicines, and they include; acupuncture, naturopathy, Ayurveda, and Chinese medicine. Acupuncture entails inserting injections at specific points of the skin to heal physical and mental conditions. Ayurveda is a Hindu practice that focuses on balancing body systems through a balanced diet, herbal treatment, and yogic breathing. Most alternative medicines include; herbal medicine, nutrition, and exercises.
Doctors, psychiatrists, nurses, and physicians provide western medicine. They have to go to school first before embarking on treatment. Chiropractors and other professionals administer alternative medicine. They do not undergo a school system to learn the skills. Western medicine entails disease prevention and treatment through diagnosis, medication, lifestyle changes, therapy, surgery, and the use of modern technology to diagnose and cure ailments. It is faster compared to alternative medicine. Although alternative medicine focuses on the entire body health, it can be risky as it sometimes delays the diagnosis of severe illnesses such as cancer, leading to its spread. Some alternative medicines are ineffective; they have side effects and can lead to death.
Several people who opt for alternative medicine end up having severe complications. Western medicine is more convenient. It avoids delays. For instance, a patient may get into an emergency room and get treatment within hours. The diagnosis in western medicine includes the use of laboratory tests, imaging, and X-rays to find out the underlying problem. Alternative medicine does not use modern medical equipment to identify the cause of the disease.
References
Hoenders, HJ Rogier, Fiona C. Willgeroth, and Martin T. Appelo. “Western and alternative medicine: a comparison of paradigms and methods.” The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 14.8 (2008): 894-896.
Lee, Sang-Il, et al. “Knowledge of, attitudes toward, and experience of complementary and alternative medicine in western medicine–and oriental medicine–trained physicians in Korea.” American Journal of Public Health 92.12 (2002): 1994-2000.

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