INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE: INDIA NEEDS INTEGRATED EFFORTS

Abstract

The new age of scientific development is marked by enormous achievements of Modern Medicine. Modern Medicine has gained the status of mainstream medicine and replaced Traditional Medicine (TM) to a large extent in almost every part of the world. This system of medicine is based on hard scientific evidence and primarily advocates reductionist approach to health and disease. Modern Medicine “makes it possible for us to draw precise picture of the internal workings of the human body, measure tiny metabolic reactions, exchange organs from one person to another, and even grow babies in test tubes” (XU Hao et al. Chin J Integr Med 2011 Feb;17(2):83-84). Modern Medicine has, in its armamentarium, the unparalleled range of diagnostic tests, highly advanced surgical procedures, and an ever increasing array of molecules effective on pathological sites and organisms. It has successfully reduced the prevalence of infectious diseases and significantly improved the quality of life of patients with chronic ailments. No traditional system of medicine at present can provide an alternative to Modern Medicine for its life saving methods and devices. One cannot think of an all-inclusive health facility running without the help of Modern Medicine. Despite all its glorious achievements and the place it has acquired among all other health systems of the world, the Modern Medicine has its own limitations. It fails to put due emphasis on preventive, promotive and rehabilitative strategies, and is unable to provide lasting solution for most of the chronic ailments. It seems that Modern Medicine is unable to provide comprehensive health care to the patients and is making them dependent on medicines in order to ensure their survival. People today, are increasingly realizing the limitations of Modern Medicine and are turning towards Traditional Medicine for their health needs. The volume of studies published on Alternative Medicine (AM), Traditional Medicine (TM) and Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)is growing day by day and so is the market related to these systems.