Alternative Medicine History & Theory

Thousands of years ago, all medicine was “alternative medicine.” Before modern
science, healers would consider the full picture - emotional, physical, and
spiritual – before healing a sick person.
This is one of the main differences between modern conventional medicine and
alternative medicine. Alternative medicine does not look for the instant cure for
the physical problem, rather is looks more at a long-term solution that includes
the whole self.
Just a few centuries ago in Europe there were two types of healers; folk healers
that used old tried-and-true methods, and professional physicians. The lower
classes did not have the money to pay for the professional physicians, but they
used the folk healers and it worked.
In North America, philosophy and religion were often used to help folk healers
provide holistic treatments.
The conventional medicine that we have today has evolved from the days of folk
healers and alternative medicine. Many conventional physician support different
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types of holistic treatments in the overall wellness plan for their patients. The
reason that alternative medicine has stood the test of time is because it works!

Ancient Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) includes acupuncture, Qigong, herbal
treatments, deep massage, and more. More than 25% of the world’s population
practices TCM.
Several reputable groups, such as the World Health Organization and the
National Institute of Health, find traditional Chinese medicine to be a viable
alternative to contemporary medicine.
Many parts of TCM began well over 3,000 years ago in China. The focus of TCM
is Qi (pronounced “Chee”), which is the body’s energy that connects it to the
world around us. It is believed that all disorders and bodily problems are caused
by the misalignment of Qi. Acupuncture is one of the most widely recognized
methods of bringing the Qi into alignment.
Herbal remedies are popular in traditional Chinese medicine. They are used to
relax and calm the patient’s emotions to avoid depression, and provide a more
positive outlook on the illness. This helps tremendously in the healing process.
Ginseng and herbal green tea are the most popular herbal remedies in China.
Exercise, mainly Qigong (pronounce “Chee Kung”), is also an important part of
traditional Chinese medicine. Qigong involves posture, meditation, and slow,
calculated body movements.

Tibetan Medicine
Tibetan Medicine is almost solely based on herbal remedies, and has been
around for over 2,500 years. It is called “gSoba Rig-pa”. Tibetans mostly live in
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India because they have been in exile since the late 1950’s. They practice
Tibetan Buddhism.
There is a Tibetan Medical Institute in Northern India, where doctors studying
Tibetan medicine attend for 7 years before earning a degree.
The underlying belief in Tibetan medicine is that all illnesses are caused by
poisonous thinking which include dread, denial, and want. This concept ties to
the principles of Buddhist philosophy.
The three poisonous thoughts are believed to be caused by poor diet,
inappropriate behavior, and the imbalance of time and season. This concept is
more complicated than this, but this simplification will give a general sense of it.
Cures are linked to all systems of the body working together. The elimination of
sweat, feces and urine contributes to this harmony.
Similar to the Chinese “Qi”, the Tibetans have the Rlung, which is the overall life
force that connects us to the universe. Rlung has five types:
1. Centered in the brain. Life grasping – controls breathing, intellect,
sneezing and swallowing.
2. Centered in the chest. Upward moving – controls verbal ability and
stamina.
3. Centered in the heart. All pervading – controls all movement like that of
the orifices of the body and walking.
4. Centered in the stomach. Fire accompanying – controls digestion and
metabolism.
5. Centered in the rectum. Downward cleansing – controls everything that is
expelled from the body, such as babies, menstrual blood or semen.
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Tibetan medicine usually handles sickness diagnosis by analysis of the tongue
and urine. The spiritual element is also at play in Tibetan medicine, with much
attention spent focusing on the type and temperament of spirits in the body.

American Indian Medicine (aka Native American Medicine)
North American Indian tribes have been practicing medicine for what some claim
to be over 40,000 years. The medical information and techniques are handed
down from generation to generation; ensure the longevity of the practice.
Some remedies are tribe-specific, although all tribal medicine is called Native
American Medicine, collectively. Native Americans believe that man is one with
nature and that the elements provide strength and can cure disease.
It is fascinating to note that at the same time that Native American medicine was
being practiced in North America, Traditional Chinese Medicine was being
practiced a half a world away. Ayurveda (medicine practiced in India), was also
practiced at this time, and will be covered next.
All of these traditional medical practices are based on the same fundamental
belief that a person’s lifestyle and environment should be taken into
consideration before choosing a treatment path. There are subtle differences
between the practices that are specific to the region.
Native American medicine recognizes a purification procedure involving herbal
smoke before and after treatment. Treatments include the use of sage and cedar
smoke to repel negative energy. Negative energy is considered the pain released
by someone who is ill, or the pain that the healer takes on themselves from their
patients. Therapeutic touch is used. Singing, chanting, drums and rattles
accompany the healing during the session.

Ayurvedic Medicine
Ayurvedic Medicine is practiced in India, and focuses on natural healing.
Practitioners believe that it is important for the body to be balanced, and all
medicines are based on vegetables and minerals, with the active ingredients
from plant alkaloids.
In Ayurvedic Medicine there is the belief that there are three elements in the
body, called Kapha, Pitta, and Vata, that cause disease.
1. Kapha: This energy is caused by the lack of stabilizing the balance in the
body. These are commonly called viruses by Westerners.
2. Pitta: This energy supports vision, temperature, hunger, thirst, intelligence,
and happiness. When out of alignment, the outcomes include weight
fluctuation, dehydration, depression, digestive issues, and apathy.
3. Vata: This energy keeps the overall balance between the earth, sky and
world around us in check with ourselves. If it falls out of balance, sickness
is invited in.
Disease is called Vyaadhi, and it is treated by focusing on the imbalance of
elements.