Eastern and Western Medicine: Where’s the diconnect?
In the majority of modern health systems of the world, Western medicine is regarded as the primary medical approach. Western medicine is “a system in which medical doctors and other healthcare professionals (such as nurses, pharmacists, and therapists) treat symptoms and diseases using drugs, radiation, or surgery” (Štefanov et al., 2020). For many of us, these practices may be more familiar.
On the other hand, the term Eastern medicine, refers to medical practices used to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease, based on the belief that the body’s vital energy, or Qi, flows within each person’s body. In Eastern medicine, Qi functions by keeping one’s emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical health suspended in a delicate balance (Štefanov et al., 2020). Eastern medicine therefore takes a more holistic medical approach when compared to Western practices.
Although there are differences between Eastern and Western medicine, research concerning the benefits of using both practices in tandem are steadily evolving, especially with the resurgence of popularity that Eastern medicine is having in our own population. One familiar example is acupuncture, which has been used in the modern chronic pain management setting with evidence of success (Zhang et al., 2019). As more studies are conducted on the combination of Eastern and Western medicine, the more promising the integration of practices becomes.
Connecting Eastern medicine to Western is also possible within the realm of self-care. Here are several mind-body therapies and self-care practices you may want to look into further to connect Eastern and Western practices in your own life!
Meditation
Tai Chi – a graceful form of traditional Chinese exercise accompanied by deep breathing
Qigong – an ancient Chinese practice consisting of breathing techniques, body posture, guided imagery, and meditation combined
References
Štefanov, M., DSc, Stoev, S., D.Sc, Kim, J., PhD., & Kim, S., D.Sc. (2020). Western Medicine Versus Eastern Medicine: Do Both Have a Common Root, Scientific Background, and Worldwide Recognition? Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 26(2), 38-44. http://proxy195.nclive.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/western-medicine-versus-eastern-do-both-have/docview/2442969935/se-2?accountid=14968
Zhang, M., Moalin, M., Vervoort, L., Li, Z., Wu, W., & Haenen, G. (2019). Connecting Western and Eastern Medicine from an Energy Perspective. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 20(6), 1512. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20061512
Author Bio:
Meredith Padgett is a Western Carolina nursing student, UNC-Chapel Hill alumni, and North Carolina native. She has an academic background in psychological and biological sciences, with an ambition of establishing better health outcomes in rural areas.