What is whole medicine?

Overview

Whole medicine is a treatment that is an alternative to allopathic (conventional)
medicine. Whole medicine is a type of complementary and alternative medicine
(CAM). Complementary medicine is a combination of allopathic and alternative
techniques, and alternative medicine is a substitute for allopathic medicine. Both
disciplines evaluate symptoms before making a diagnosis; however, whole medicine
searches for the underlying cause or causes of illness. In addition, whole
medicine embraces preventive health care to optimize a person’s health.

Whole medicine considers the body’s systems (circulatory, respiratory, and
gastrointestinal) as interdependent components of a person’s whole being. One’s
natural state is considered one of health; illness is deemed to be an imbalance in
the body’s systems. The whole-medicine approach emphasizes proper nutrition and
avoidance of substances that are harmful to one’s health. Whole medicine also
favors noninvasive techniques and the avoidance of pharmaceuticals.

In general, whole-medicine procedures and treatments are less expensive than those
of conventional medicine. Thus, some persons opt for this approach because of
financial considerations. Also, many health insurers cover CAM therapies and
treatments, especially chiropractic care.

Mechanism of Action

Whole-medicine practitioners employ the same basic principles of allopathic medicine, which encompass physical health, and they also incorporate mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. A healthy diet is emphasized by whole-medicine practitioners, and they discourage the use of refined or preserved foods. In addition to having additives, these foods are often high in sugar, fat, and cholesterol. Many practitioners promote a vegetarian diet or, at minimum, a reduction in meat consumption, particularly in the consumption of red meat.

The goal of whole medicine is to bring all aspects of one’s life into harmony. This concept includes bringing all the energy flowing within the body into accord. Although noninvasive and pharmaceutical-free treatments are stressed, many whole-medicine practitioners are not averse to the inclusion of allopathic medicine and medications; these practitioners feel that the two disciplines are complementary. For example, most practitioners would agree that an inflamed appendix needs excision, a cancerous tumor needs to be surgically removed, and a diabetic requires insulin. For cases in which allopathic medicine predominates, most whole-medicine practitioners believe that their principles can help the ill person through the situation. They also believe that once the crisis of an acute illness has passed, whole-medicine techniques, which search for underlying causes, can reduce the chance of a negative recurrence.

Uses and Applications

Many applications of general medicine exist, and some incorporate whole medicine to varying degrees. Many wellness practitioners incorporate a combination of the following applications in their practice:

Chiropractic. Chiropractic focuses on manipulation of
the spinal column under the hypothesis that disorders of the spinal column affect
one’s health by means of the nervous system. In addition to manipulation of the
spine, chiropractic treatment entails manipulation of other joints and soft
tissues. Chiropractors often recommend specific exercises to treat a condition and
also provide lifestyle counseling.

Herbal medicine. The boundary between pharmaceuticals and herbs
is blurred. Many pharmaceuticals are herbal products or are derived from plants.
Digitalis, which is used for the treatment of heart
conditions, is derived from the foxglove shrub (Digitalis
lanata). Quinine, which has a number of medicinal uses (such as
antimalarial and analgesic), is derived from the bark of the cinchona tree
(Cinchona species). Herbal products have been used by Asian
peoples for medicinal purposes since antiquity. Because herbal products are
natural products, they do not fall under the jurisdiction of government regulatory
agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA). The FDA requires a rigorous testing process before a drug
can be made available to the general public. Some herbal products have proven
benefits, while others have no proven benefit.

Homeopathy. Homeopathy involves the use of very
small amounts of a substance to stimulate the body’s immune system to fight a
disease. Homeopathic practitioners use substances such as herbs and metals as a
treatment regimen. Some of these substances are toxic if given in higher doses.
Homeopathic practitioners embrace the concept of whole medicine in that they treat
the whole person rather than focusing on the disease itself. Before prescribing a
treatment, they take a detailed history of the patient’s likes, dislikes, and
habits. Many illnesses are not suitable for homeopathic treatment alone, but in
others, homeopathic treatments have been shown to complement traditional medical
treatment.

Meditation. Meditation involves entering a state of
extreme relaxation and concentration; during meditation, the body is in a restful
state, and the mind is freed of surface thoughts. Several major religions (such as
Buddhism and Daoism) embrace meditation; however, practicing meditation does not
necessarily require a religious or spiritual component. Persons who meditate
regularly report that doing so improves their concentration and their ability to
deal with the stresses in their lives. People meditate for a variety of reasons,
including relaxation, personal insight, and communication with their god.

Naturopathic medicine. Naturopathic medicine embraces the concept
of whole medicine. The basic concept of naturopathy is that the body has an innate
ability to heal and maintain itself. The American Cancer Society (ACS) describes
naturopathy as “A complete alternative care system that uses
a wide range of approaches such as nutrition, herbs, manipulation of the body,
exercise, stress reduction, and acupuncture.” The ACS accepts that portions of
naturopathic medicine can sometimes be used with conventional medicine as
complementary therapy. Naturopaths include medical doctors with training in
naturopathy, naturopathic doctors who have college-level training in naturopathy,
and others with lower levels of training.

Nutritional therapies. A wide range of nutritional therapies are available in all developed nations. Most embrace the concept that a healthy diet is essential to attain and maintain good health. Nutritional therapy is often a component of both conventional and allopathic medicine.

Psychotherapy. Psychotherapy embraces the concept of
improving one’s sense of well-being by talking about problems with a
psychotherapist. Psychotherapists include medical doctors with specialized
training in psychiatry, clinical psychologists, mental health counselors, and
social workers.

Stress reduction. All whole-medicine therapies embrace the
concept of stress
reduction.

Therapeutic massage. Therapeutic massage
involves holding, manipulating, and applying pressure to the body’s soft tissues.
The manipulations have the goal of promoting health and wellness by reducing pain,
muscle spasm, and stress. Adjunctive therapies such as aromatherapy or soothing
music often accompany therapeutic massage. Types of massage therapy include
Swedish massage, which is a gentle, relaxing massage; pressure point therapy,
which focuses on a certain portion of the body; and sports massage, which focuses
on specific muscle groups. Massage therapy has been reported to improve
circulation (both blood and lymphatic), reduce muscular pain, reduce joint pain,
increase range of motion, relieve stress, relieve tension headaches, enhance
postoperative recovery, and promote rehabilitation after an injury.

Traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine
(TCM) is a form of CAM that is commonly practiced in Asia.
TCM also has advocates in the Western world and is increasing in popularity. TCM
is a holistic approach to health that attempts to bring the body, mind, and spirit
into harmony. It primarily consists of herbal medicine; however, it also embraces
acupuncture, nutritional therapy, and massage.

Yoga. Yoga is a physical and mental
discipline that originated in India. It reflects the belief that for one to be in
harmony with oneself and the environment, one must integrate the body, the mind,
and the spirit. For these three entities to be integrated, emotion, action, and
intelligence must be in balance. This balance is accomplished through exercise,
breathing, and meditation.

Other practices. Other whole-medicine practices are
Ayurvedic
medicine and Native American, or indigenous, medicine.
Ayurvedic medicine, the traditional medicine of India, emphasizes the
reestablishment of balance in the body through a healthy lifestyle and through
diet, exercise, and body cleansing. Ayurveda encompasses the body, mind, and
spirit. Native American medicine is based on natural remedies derived from the
earth. It combines herbs, spirituality, and magic and is overseen by a medicine
man or woman.

Scientific Evidence

Much of the literature regarding whole medicine lacks a high level of scientific
evidence. Valid studies randomly assign persons to a treatment group or to a
control group, which is given a placebo (a substance with no pharmacological
activity). The largest number of valid studies in whole medicine have been
conducted on herbal products. Placebo-controlled studies are easier to conduct on
herbal products than on other whole-medicine procedures such as massage and
acupuncture. Also, many whole-medicine studies comprise anecdotal reports, in
which a participant claims some benefit from the therapy (resulting in a
placebo
effect).

Aside from limited whole-medicine studies with a high level of evidence, it is well established that good nutrition, stress reduction, and other healthy lifestyle practices embraced by whole medicine are conducive to health. Furthermore, the medical literature contains innumerable well-conducted studies documenting the harmful effects of an unhealthy lifestyle. For example, obesity increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and many other diseases; smoking tobacco (or marijuana) increases the risk of many types of cancer.

Choosing a Practitioner

The training of practitioners of whole-medicine ranges from postgraduate work to
no formal training. Persons seeking whole-medicine care should examine the
credentials of practitioners, regardless of professional degree. It is appropriate
to ask what professional degree or degrees the practitioner holds, where his or
her training occurred, and to what professional organizations he or she belongs.
An informative resource for locating a whole-medicine practitioner is the American
Holistic Medical Association, which maintains a comprehensive list of
practitioners in many types of therapies throughout the United States. However,
the organization stresses that it is the responsibility of the person seeking care
to check a practitioner’s credentials before treatment. The American Naturopathic
Medical Certification Board (ANMCB) administers certification
for whole-medicine practitioners. Practitioners certified by ANMCB must meet
certain standards based on their level of certification.

Safety Issues

Many medical experts are concerned that some persons with serious medical conditions, such as a malignancy, will seek alternative medical care or purchase worthless herbal products rather than seek conventional medical care. In contrast to possible health risks from a whole-medicine regimen, the basic principles of healthy diet and stress reduction, for example, which are embraced by whole medicine, are not only safe but also beneficial to one’s health.

Bibliography

American Holistic Medical Association. http://www.holisticmedicine.org.

Ditcheck, Stuart, et al. Healthy Child, Whole Child: Integrating the Best of Conventional and Alternative Medicine to Keep Your Kids Healthy. New York: Harper, 2009. A thorough guide for parents who are interested in complementary methods of prevention and healing and who are looking for a reliable text for pediatricians unfamiliar with alternative treatments.

Lu, Henry C. Traditional Chinese Medicine: How to Maintain Your Health and Treat Illness. Laguna Beach, Calif.: Basic Health, 2006. Describes the thirteen syndromes identified in Chinese medicine. Also incorporates more familiar Western medical terminology, resulting in a handbook that straddles both traditions.

Murcott, Tony. The Whole Story: Alternative Medicine on Trial? New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2006. Collects updated evidence on the placebo effect, the randomized-controlled trial, acupuncture, homeopathy, osteopathy, and more.