You may be surprised to learn just how many Asian medicine practitioners are already working in an integrative manner at health care facilities across the United States. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Western medicine can be defined as: “A system in which medical doctors and other health care professionals (such as nurses, pharmacists, and therapists) treat symptoms and diseases using drugs, radiation, or surgery.” Eastern medicine, also known as Oriental medicine or traditional Chinese medicine, is the oldest codified system of medicine in the world. It refers to a range of medical practices that originated throughout Asia. The basic philosophy of Eastern medicine practitioners is to treat the whole person—encouraging a healthy body to prevent illness and speed recovery whereas Western medicine tends to focus on diagnosing and treating a disease or illness based on a patient’s symptoms.

Both types of care are very different, yet they each have a place in today’s current health care landscape. Many Eastern and Western medicine practitioners are finding ways that their treatments can complement each other.Western medicine is reactive care that treats disease and other ailments as they arise. Eastern medicine, however, provides more preventative care that works to make sure body systems such as the immune and digestive systems are functioning at their best. Many times, these whole body systems, when not working properly or in disharmony, can be the underlying cause of diseases. 

One key benefit of acupuncture, herbal treatments, and other alternative medicine practices is that they are non-invasive and cause few side effects. Before turning to prescription drugs or invasive surgery, Oriental medicine treatments are becoming more commonly used as a first-line approach. Dr. Bardwell at Beyond Health and Wellness guides you with the expertise to improve your health by integrating both.