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THE INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE – THE WAY TO THE THIRD MILLENNIUM
Several years ago at one of my lectures at the University in Tripunitra I was asked by a student of Ayurveda, what will the medicine of the future look like. Both he and his classmates wanted to know the perspective from an international point of view. Their questions made me wonder about the future character of healthcare.
The principal task of medical science is to promote health and treat diseases. Its noble cause to alleviate human suffering is similarly reflected in the pledge of Hippocrates and in the pledge of Charaka. It leads the hand of the Chinese acupuncturist in the same way as the hand of South American masseur. Doctors of various schools and traditions all strive to achieve the same goal. Only the ways of their efforts differ depending on the frame of reference of the medical system they studied.
However, although all the existing systems basically share the same goal, they perceive each other as incompatible and competing. They try to prove to each other their superiority, and this leads to continuous confrontation and both hidden and open conflicts. Those who are affected most by this mutual rivalry are those to whom the medicine is supposed to help - the uncountable world community of the ill. Instead of an open science, medicine has become a battlefield and doctors its warriors. By such behaviour, however, they contradict the very nature of its mission.
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A patient in need is forced to try one system at a time and has to find out which system is the most effective for him. This unwanted ‘trial and error’ method is for the patient who is already weakened enough by his disease, unnecessarily long and exhausts him further physically, mentally and often also financially. He or she is the one who must struggle through the walls of mutual animosity of the existing systems. He or she cannot talk freely before his or her doctor about the fact that he or she is trying methods or medicine of a different system because he or she would either meet with criticism or even with refusal. Frequent are the cases where the doctor declines his or her care to the patients who dare to try a different treatment modality. In such a way the suffering of the patient only increases instead of being alleviated. The patient gradually loses hope. He or she starts to believe that there is no help anywhere for him or her. Succumbed to his or her hopelessness he or she closes off to the process of healing. The delayed possibility of receiving an effective treatment increases the risk of the patient’s state unravelling into permanent disability or even death.
Long term studies show that treatments based on a single particular system bring results in many cases, but not in all. Those cases of diseases that are considered as incurable by one system can often be cured by a different approach of a different system. If instead of the many existing systems of medicine that do not communicate with each other, an integrative system was created taking the positive out of the individual systems, it would help a great deal in the proper diagnosis and application of the appropriate treatment method and thus decrease the sufferings of the ill. I feel that this is the path of future medicine. I am not saying anything new because a similar idea already inspired the establishment of numerous clinics of integrative medicine in all parts of the world. India, with its typical tolerance is a good example. Integrative clinics of high standard also exist in England, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Spain and elsewhere.
Every sincere medical system contains something valuable, which it can offer to the global treasure chest of world medicine. A mutual antagonism is irrelevant, because every system has its pros, cons and limitations. There is an area in every system that has been perfected. Furthermore there are many aspects individual systems have in common.
The main obstruction in proceeding towards integration lies in the resistance of the rigid hard liners within every system. They consider their system to be the best and only form of medicine for everyone. Their reactions to other systems are negative or scornful. Lacking objectivity they overemphasize the advantages of their own system and ridicule all others. A common sign of this abstinence is the total distaste to learn something different and the inability to change their ways of thinking. Their criticism of other systems is not based on the real knowledge of things, but on the lack of it. Partial, egotistic business considerations often play an important role, too. However, I cherish the hope that the globalization of information and education will lead to significant changes in the field in the near future.
Medicine must not stumble behind the changing level of knowledge. We have to recognize that the meaning of the expression ‘healthier’ is much different today than that which we professed ten to twenty years ago. Medicine should be showing us the way. Medicine must be a science whose founding principles withstand the test of centuries and become a light of hope for an ill person on his way to health. Individual systems of medicine are currently confronted with the challenge of whether they are able to stand such tests. The hearts of those who suffer all over the world are asking medical science in increasingly loud and desperate voice: “Do you really know who I am?” And immediately afterwards: “How do you want to cure me if you don’t know who I am?”
This is a challenge that will force all medical schools to return back to their deep empirical and philosophical roots. This self soul searching process will exhibit the signs of a true research, discovery and rediscovery, from which the nature of future medicine shall emerge.
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Read next chapter: ESSAYS ON AYURVEDA 10 >>
Titled as “Roving Ambassador of Ayurveda”, belongs to the first generation of Ayurvedic practitioners and teachers who have pioneered the way for Ayurveda's recognition as a mainstream system of medicine.
Born and raised in Paris, she has always been looking at the horizon. The city that nourished her, it was her trampoline for courageous free flight around this planet. It’s inspiring to keep up with her.
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NEW YEAR IN KERALA
The Malayalam word kani literally means that which is seen first. The traditional belief is that one's future is a function of what one experiences, that the New Year will be better if one views auspicious joyful things as the first thing on Vishu.
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Ayurveda trails is using the symbol of mudra as reminder, healing is in your hands. We are creating a small collection of highly specialised ayurveda resorts run by passionate ayurveda experts, who want to keep authentic healing knowledge for modern world.
What is ayurveda? How is this ancient medical system connected with yoga, meditation, healthy food, relaxation in nature and modern life style? Ayurveda Trails is dedicated to everyone, who would like to travel and search answers to these questions.
NAVARATRI
Festival of Nine Goddesses
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ONAM
The Harvest Festival in Kerala
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The importance of the feast to the Kerala's Onam celebration culture is captured in the famous Malayalam proverb: Kaanam Vittum Onam Unnanam - which means: One must have the Onam lunch even by selling one's property, if need be.
MANALTHEERAM AYURVEDA BEACH VILLAGE
Manaltheeram Ayurveda Beach Village, gives you an opportunity to pamper yourself with a heavenly experience. Enter the world of holistic healing and let Ayurveda and meditation restore your physical, mental, spiritual and emotional equilibrium.
MANALTHEERAM
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HARIVIHAR HERITAGE
Dr. Sri Kumar
Harivihar, abode of the divine, is a 170 year old painstakingly restored royal heritage homestead located in Calicut. It offers unparalleled experience of staying in a heritage ambience and benefit from the goodness of Ayurveda and Yoga, two great contributions of India to mankind.
I hesitated for publishing this story quite late, but there’s a beauty in rewinding. Makes me appreciate how all those days have become of me. The clever fall of dominoes of life events that led me to still standing. A very happy new year to all!
SwaSwara means your inner voice, this is a place of natural harmony to release, refocus and recalibrate the self. Inspired by the first sound of creation, the resort in Gokarana on Aum Beach is a perfect setting to enable one to hear the voice of the inner self.
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