The long battle between alternative medicine and scientific medicine seems to have ended with the appearance of complementary medicine. Complementary medicine tries to combine the best of both worlds by putting the patient’s health before medical philosophy.
The term “alternative medicine” refers to traditional and other treatment methods for which there is no discernible scientific basis. The term “scientific medicine,” which is also called modern medicine, conventional medicine, or Western medicine, refers to methods of medical treatment based purely or primarily on science.
Traditionally, practitioners of scientific medicine dismissed alternative treatments as unscientific. At the same time, many alternative healers dismissed practitioners of scientific medicine as arrogant, aloof, and unsympathetic.
Today, the two sides appear to have signed a truce and are trying to find common ground. This common ground consists of a compromise called complementary medicine. In complementary medical treatment, medical professors allow alternative practices as long as they do not harm the patient.
Complementary medicine means respect for the patient
An example of complementary medicine would be a surgeon allowing a patient to meditate or use energy therapy before and after surgery. These therapies do not interfere with surgery and often contribute to the psychological well-being of the patient.
Much of the rise of complementary medicine can be attributed to increased awareness of non-Western cultures like China and growing respect for their values and traditions. yk 11
Many of the alternative medicine treatments and techniques are taken from Chinese, Indian and Asian culture.
Another reason why complementary medicine has become popular is the changing attitude towards patients on the part of doctors and other health professionals. In countries like the United States, Great Britain, and Germany, doctors were considered wise and experts on health issues until recent decades. This attitude meant that many doctors disregarded the thoughts and opinions of their patients.
Today, doctors and other health professionals are taught to respect their patients and their opinions. Part of the reason for this respect is the growing number of female doctors. Women tend to be more empathetic and understanding than men. Until recently, most doctors were men and were taught to boss their patients around.