Sydney naturopath John D McGuire On Complementary Medicine

How would you define complementary medicine?

The term complementary medicine (CM) is an umbrella term that refers to a number of treatment systems, e.g., acupuncture, herbal medicine, homoeopathy, & naturopathy, that differ from mainstream medicine in their treatments, philosophy, & in some cases (e.g., homoeopathy or acupuncture), their diagnostic techniques. In spite of their individual differences, they are collectively termed complementary medicine as they are viewed as treatment systems that ?complement? biomedical treatment. It is my view, that if the treatment given replaces biomedicine in its entirety, then it would be classified as ?alternative medicine?. I further like the philosophical principle, as stated by Donald W. Novey (2000, p 5), ?therapeutic actions should be complementary to & synergistic with the healing process?. (1)

What features make it different to mainstream medicine?
Complementary medicine possesses many unique features which are dissimilar to that of mainstream medicine, & these are a reflection of their differing philosophies. For one to understand these differences, one must compare the two approaches (biomedicine as opposed to complementary medicine) to both the patient, & the treatments that are provided. Mainstream medicine?s philosophies are based on a materialistic/reductionist model, & as C.M. Cassidy (2001, p29) states, ?the biomedical model focuses on the physical body, concerning itself with the structure of its tissues & the movement & transformation of chemicals within cells?. (2) In contrast, the CM practitioner prefers to be viewed as a teacher, involving the patient in his or her own treatment program, thus, initiating a partnership between the patient & the practitioner.
The complementary medicine practitioner strives to understand the underlying cause of their patient?s disease (although biomedicine?s aim is to understand the aetiology of disease, this still in most cases begins & ends at a pathophysiologic level, with no consideration given to what is happening emotionally), & attempts to convey to the patient the reasons why they became ill in the first place. Through this education process, the patient is encouraged to work with the practitioner in trying to achieve the ultimate goal of ?Wellness?. As stated by Donald W. Novey (2000, p6), ?the physician?s major role is to educate & encourage the patient to take responsibility for health. By empowering & motivating the patient to assume responsibility, this will enable the patient to create or accomplish healing?. (3)

Sydney Naturopaths

Sydney Naturopaths

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