	Neuronoetics, World Institute For The Science Of Consciousness in Edmonds, WA
	Amy Calandruccio, LAc in Middletown, CT
	Angela Crabtree Therapeutic in Ashland, KY
	Cowan Thomas PHYS in Concord, NH
	Star Seed Polarity Massage in Northborough, MA
	Massage & Holistic Therapy in Wichita, Ks
	Steven Benedict in Los Angeles, CA
	JIN Shin Jyutsu in Acton, MA
	Foster City Chiropractic Center in San Mateo, CA
	Dance of the Deer Foundation in Capitola, CA
	Cowan Chiropractic & Rehabilitation - William T Cowan DC in Wilmington, DE
	Harbor Family Chiropractic Center - William A Gischia Senior DC in Keego Harbor, MI
	Henry Chiropractic-St Mary's - Mike Grimsley DC in Lexington Park, MD
	Cim-Ctr for Integrative MDCN in San Jose, CA
	Berkeley Integrative Healing in Berkeley, CA

Medicine Not Always the Answer

A recent trend in the Western world is the increased prevalence of holistic medicinal practices and holistic practitioners who are setting up practices all over the United States. As consumers become more interested in improving their lives in natural ways, holistic medicine has increased in popularity and many consumers are evaluating holistic medicine as a legitimate way to deal with common ailments. Holistic medicine, also called Eastern medicine or traditional medicine, involves practices that have been around for centuries and were developed in Asian cultures as a way of dealing with the common ailments and issues that affected many humans. These medicinal practices are usually highly spiritual, and many of the effects are explained through mysticism and spirituality rather than science.

However, the tendency of holistic medicine to explain itself spiritually does not mean that the practices are not rooted in or able to be explained by science. Some scientists have devoted their lives to uncovering the scientific explanations behind many holistic practices. For example, acupuncture has been proven to use the complex network of nerve endings to achieve dramatic results. Still, Western medicine persists in its touting of the Theory of Disease. This theory suggests that any ailment experienced by any human is the direct result of a disease that must be treated. The most common treatment is usually medication.

Medicine Treats the Symptom Not the Problem

There are many problems with using medicine as the most common method of treatment in the Western world, but the biggest problem is that the process of medication often makes absolutely no sense. When a patient goes to see a doctor about an issue such as back pain, the doctor will often prescribe powerful painkilling medicine to eliminate the symptom while doing nothing to alleviate the problem.

Sensations such as pain are the body's way of sending a message that something is not right. Doctors who prescribe medication to eliminate symptoms are akin to individuals who stick their fingers in their ears so they won't hear the advice of a trusted friend. Often, the pain that an individual is experiencing is an indicator of a more serious problem. In the case of lower back pain, that pain may be caused by obesity, problems in diet, problems in one's lifestyle, stress, emotional pain, or any other number of explanations. A western physician will dismiss the cause and treat the symptom while a holistic practitioner will evaluate the symptom and try to uncover the cause.

The Negative Effects of Medicine

Medicine also has many negative effects that have nothing to do with stifling the messages sent by the human body. Medicine can cause serious side effects in humans and can lead to other more serious health complications than were originally present before the medicine was prescribed. There is also a risk of dependency in some medications such as painkillers and sleep aids. Insomnia and physical pain are two of the issues most easily treated by holistic medicine methods.

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