Man and Medicine
Eastern and Western medicine differ not only in practice, but in philosophy. In the East medicine is an extension of the cultures philosophy. Westerners, on the other hand, pride themselves on keeping philosophy andor religion separate from science and medicine. In the process it is starting to seem as if we have separated man from medicine. It is a separation that we can no longer afford.
Man and Medicine
Imagine yourself in the doctors office complaining of chronic headaches. After a brief examination, the doctor stares at you quizzically, then asks Have you been obeying the Lord and resisting all forms of evil Im sorry you ask, bewildered at the question. The doctor smiles knowingly, then elaborates Surely you realize that Proverbs 35-8 says that fearing the Lord brings health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Needless to say, such behavior would probably lead you to believe that your doctor was the one in need of some serious treatment. And youd probably be right. Doctors in the West simply dont say those kinds of things. Thats because in the West we believe in the separation of church and science. It may not be explicitly inscribed in the hypocratic oath, but then it doesnt have to be it goes without saying. In the West science is kept separate from religion. And philosophy. Ones personal belief system with regards to the ordering of the universe, and who or whats behind it, is his own business. Its personal, a matter of ones own faith, and not relevant to the discussion of science and medicine.
Thats how it is in the West. Western medicine is about procedure and protocol. Doctors prescribe specific medicines for specific conditions. The safety and efficacy of those medicines have been subject to laboratory testing and clinical trials. The results are published in medical journals. They have passed inspection they have been approved and certified by the appropriate regulatory agencies. Only after this rigorous process are drugs, treatments, and procedures approved for use. There is nothing in this process pertaining to belief, philosophy, the universe, or really, even man himself. Its strictly about observable, quantifiable, identifiable scientific results proven repeatedly under laboratory conditions.
Not so in the East. In the East science is driven by philosophy. Elements of Eastern medicine such as balance, Yin and Yang, and chi, derive their importance from Eastern religious and philosophical systems. Taoism, which dates back to the third century B.C., centers around the idea of the Tao (the Eastern equivelant of God). The tao is the way the universe functions, the path taken by natural events. It is characterized by spontaneous creativity and by regular alterationsthat proceed without effort. Effortless action may be illustrated by the conduct of water, which unresistingly accepts the lowest level and yet wears away the hardest substance.
Acceptance is modeled after Taoist philosophy, whereby the free flow of chi throughout the body promotes good health. The chi, in turn, depends upon a balance of the two opposing energies of yin and yang. The meridians are the main channels of flow. When energy is impededidleness may result. Piercing the channelsis believed to correct the imbalances.
Eastern versus Western Medicine
Key DifferenceAwareness and use of bio-energy or Qi (chi, prana, life force) in the East, unawareness of it in the West. From this flow all the remaining differences definitions of health, illness, and symptoms, the model of medicine, methods of diagnosis, role of physician and patient and the patients psyche, prevention and responsibility for health, strengths and limitations. Eastern MedicineWestern MedicineKey Beliefs Qi is life. Qi is heart of medicine. Life and Medicine are one. Humans can control nature. Foreign invader causes illness. Control of symptoms cure of disease. Health A state of well being in which the body is vital, balanced adaptive to its environment. Absence of disease, pain, defect, or symptoms of illness (no theory of health). Illness, Sickness, Disease Disharmonyimbalance and loss of adaptability (a defect of functionenergy).
Any deviation of the body from its normal or healthy state (1st dictionary definition). A defect of tissue or structure.
A destructive process with a specific cause and characteristic symptoms, a particular disorder(2nd dictionary definition). Symptoms Manifestation of the bodys attempt to heal itself, therefore, messages, signals of unattended, underlying issues or signs that something needs balancing. Manifestation of the disease, therefore, they are disagreeable phenomena to be eliminated or suppressed. Patterns Of Symptoms Symptoms are considered only in terms of their pattern. Not addressed. Causes Of Illness Any actionforce which interferes with the balance and movement of bio-energy ones constitution, psyche, lifestyle, trauma, environmental stress (nature or human). A foreign invader, an extraneous force or pathogen distinct entities with unique causes originating outside the body for every clinical disorder. Multiple Causes Illness is the end result of multiple insults to the body (Pizzorno, p. 24). Singular causes for each disorderor disease.
Progression Of Illness Four stages of illness from 1) energy imbalances causing 2) functional changes that can initiate 3) a progression of chronic illness preceding 4) pathological changes in tissue. A progression of a particular disease is noted, but only disorders of form and structure (morphology) are recognized, not progression of functionality into structure. Personal Responsibility Key energetic changes are functions of ones psyche and lifestyle so preventing serious illness is primarily self care. Patients stories are mistrusted and personal conditions considered irrelevant. Prevention The major thrust of medicine, so Chinese doctors were only paid if people stayed well. Not the primary concern, actively discouraged by original insurance plans. Model Of Medicine Man as ecosystem, a garden harmony.
Man as machine conflict. The Physician As gardener, assistant to cultivate life, to help patient getstay well. As mechanic to fix what is broken. Diagnosis Understanding Illness Perceiving the relationships between all the patients signs and symptoms. Uncovering a disease entity separate from the patients being.Treatment Preventing illness by balancing disharmonious energy and counseling lifestyle management. Curing named disease and suppressing symptoms through drugs or surgery. Science Of observation and experimentation, the original science, of anciently understood Einsteinian physics and quantum field mechanics where EMC2. Of reduction and induction, analytic and controlled science, of a mechanical Newtonian physics, long ago proved wrong at the cosmic sub-molecular levels. Measure For Diagnosis Human senses pulse, tongue, eyes, coloring. Laboratory equipment.
Bio-Energy Must be balanced (rhythmically), free-flowingcirculating, and continually replenishedof sufficient quantity. Not considered.Mind-Body Mind and body are one, inextricably interconnected. All medicine is psychosomatics. Mind and body are separate and not necessarily connected. Iatrogenic Illness (physician caused) Virtually non-existent.4th leading cause of death, harms millions. Key Limitation Dependent on harmony with nature, it was not developed to deal with the worst of Western life overwhelming and unprecedented environmental pollution, iatrogenic (physician-caused) illness, and consequences of the Western philosophy of individualism and the controlling and defeating nature. Unaware of energy-based physiology (Qi), it therefore cannot detect, classify, measure or alter its effects in its beginning stages of illness. From this flaw stem not only the remaining differences listed above, but the worst consequences of western medicineregularly and inevitably, it harms people. Key Strengths Prevention, handling functionalchronic illness and self-care Because it recognizes the key role of lifestyle and the psyche in energetic changes that can progress toward illness.Handling structural defects trauma and life-threatening illnesses
Man and Medicine
Imagine yourself in the doctors office complaining of chronic headaches. After a brief examination, the doctor stares at you quizzically, then asks Have you been obeying the Lord and resisting all forms of evil Im sorry you ask, bewildered at the question. The doctor smiles knowingly, then elaborates Surely you realize that Proverbs 35-8 says that fearing the Lord brings health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Needless to say, such behavior would probably lead you to believe that your doctor was the one in need of some serious treatment. And youd probably be right. Doctors in the West simply dont say those kinds of things. Thats because in the West we believe in the separation of church and science. It may not be explicitly inscribed in the hypocratic oath, but then it doesnt have to be it goes without saying. In the West science is kept separate from religion. And philosophy. Ones personal belief system with regards to the ordering of the universe, and who or whats behind it, is his own business. Its personal, a matter of ones own faith, and not relevant to the discussion of science and medicine.
Thats how it is in the West. Western medicine is about procedure and protocol. Doctors prescribe specific medicines for specific conditions. The safety and efficacy of those medicines have been subject to laboratory testing and clinical trials. The results are published in medical journals. They have passed inspection they have been approved and certified by the appropriate regulatory agencies. Only after this rigorous process are drugs, treatments, and procedures approved for use. There is nothing in this process pertaining to belief, philosophy, the universe, or really, even man himself. Its strictly about observable, quantifiable, identifiable scientific results proven repeatedly under laboratory conditions.
Not so in the East. In the East science is driven by philosophy. Elements of Eastern medicine such as balance, Yin and Yang, and chi, derive their importance from Eastern religious and philosophical systems. Taoism, which dates back to the third century B.C., centers around the idea of the Tao (the Eastern equivelant of God). The tao is the way the universe functions, the path taken by natural events. It is characterized by spontaneous creativity and by regular alterationsthat proceed without effort. Effortless action may be illustrated by the conduct of water, which unresistingly accepts the lowest level and yet wears away the hardest substance.
Acceptance is modeled after Taoist philosophy, whereby the free flow of chi throughout the body promotes good health. The chi, in turn, depends upon a balance of the two opposing energies of yin and yang. The meridians are the main channels of flow. When energy is impededidleness may result. Piercing the channelsis believed to correct the imbalances.
Eastern versus Western Medicine
Key DifferenceAwareness and use of bio-energy or Qi (chi, prana, life force) in the East, unawareness of it in the West. From this flow all the remaining differences definitions of health, illness, and symptoms, the model of medicine, methods of diagnosis, role of physician and patient and the patients psyche, prevention and responsibility for health, strengths and limitations. Eastern MedicineWestern MedicineKey Beliefs Qi is life. Qi is heart of medicine. Life and Medicine are one. Humans can control nature. Foreign invader causes illness. Control of symptoms cure of disease. Health A state of well being in which the body is vital, balanced adaptive to its environment. Absence of disease, pain, defect, or symptoms of illness (no theory of health). Illness, Sickness, Disease Disharmonyimbalance and loss of adaptability (a defect of functionenergy).
Any deviation of the body from its normal or healthy state (1st dictionary definition). A defect of tissue or structure.
A destructive process with a specific cause and characteristic symptoms, a particular disorder(2nd dictionary definition). Symptoms Manifestation of the bodys attempt to heal itself, therefore, messages, signals of unattended, underlying issues or signs that something needs balancing. Manifestation of the disease, therefore, they are disagreeable phenomena to be eliminated or suppressed. Patterns Of Symptoms Symptoms are considered only in terms of their pattern. Not addressed. Causes Of Illness Any actionforce which interferes with the balance and movement of bio-energy ones constitution, psyche, lifestyle, trauma, environmental stress (nature or human). A foreign invader, an extraneous force or pathogen distinct entities with unique causes originating outside the body for every clinical disorder. Multiple Causes Illness is the end result of multiple insults to the body (Pizzorno, p. 24). Singular causes for each disorderor disease.
Progression Of Illness Four stages of illness from 1) energy imbalances causing 2) functional changes that can initiate 3) a progression of chronic illness preceding 4) pathological changes in tissue. A progression of a particular disease is noted, but only disorders of form and structure (morphology) are recognized, not progression of functionality into structure. Personal Responsibility Key energetic changes are functions of ones psyche and lifestyle so preventing serious illness is primarily self care. Patients stories are mistrusted and personal conditions considered irrelevant. Prevention The major thrust of medicine, so Chinese doctors were only paid if people stayed well. Not the primary concern, actively discouraged by original insurance plans. Model Of Medicine Man as ecosystem, a garden harmony.
Man as machine conflict. The Physician As gardener, assistant to cultivate life, to help patient getstay well. As mechanic to fix what is broken. Diagnosis Understanding Illness Perceiving the relationships between all the patients signs and symptoms. Uncovering a disease entity separate from the patients being.Treatment Preventing illness by balancing disharmonious energy and counseling lifestyle management. Curing named disease and suppressing symptoms through drugs or surgery. Science Of observation and experimentation, the original science, of anciently understood Einsteinian physics and quantum field mechanics where EMC2. Of reduction and induction, analytic and controlled science, of a mechanical Newtonian physics, long ago proved wrong at the cosmic sub-molecular levels. Measure For Diagnosis Human senses pulse, tongue, eyes, coloring. Laboratory equipment.
Bio-Energy Must be balanced (rhythmically), free-flowingcirculating, and continually replenishedof sufficient quantity. Not considered.Mind-Body Mind and body are one, inextricably interconnected. All medicine is psychosomatics. Mind and body are separate and not necessarily connected. Iatrogenic Illness (physician caused) Virtually non-existent.4th leading cause of death, harms millions. Key Limitation Dependent on harmony with nature, it was not developed to deal with the worst of Western life overwhelming and unprecedented environmental pollution, iatrogenic (physician-caused) illness, and consequences of the Western philosophy of individualism and the controlling and defeating nature. Unaware of energy-based physiology (Qi), it therefore cannot detect, classify, measure or alter its effects in its beginning stages of illness. From this flaw stem not only the remaining differences listed above, but the worst consequences of western medicineregularly and inevitably, it harms people. Key Strengths Prevention, handling functionalchronic illness and self-care Because it recognizes the key role of lifestyle and the psyche in energetic changes that can progress toward illness.Handling structural defects trauma and life-threatening illnesses
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