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INTRODUCTION

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Complementary and alternative treatment & therapies, are becoming increasingly popular.  This is unsurprising, given the growing distrust people have with 'Big Pharma' methods and the traditional approach to health and well-being that have hitherto been practiced by medical practitioners, particularly in the West.

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These complementary and alternative treatment & therapies, represent not just a 'shift' - in 'treatment methods' - but a revolution in the approach to 'health,' 'healing' and 'medical thinking.'  It is nothing less than a major 'paradigm shift.'

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As with all major changes in paradigms  -  the change is not always sudden and may even go unnoticed for some while by many - but those at the forefront of this field - those who have spent perhaps many decades proclaiming the validity of complementary and alternative treatment and therapies - will not be surprised as these changes are clearly needed, due and are likely to increase in pace.

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The reasons for this increasing change are many.  There is the growing dissatisfaction with 'cures' from 'Big Pharma' whose side effects are often worse than the original illness/ailment.  The profit driven motivation of 'Big Pharma' and its associates is also something that most ordinary people find repugnant - health should be seen as a right to which all have access irrespective to inability to pay.

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SOME GENERAL PRINCIPLES UNDERLYING ALTERNATIVE & COMPLEMENTARY TREATMENTS & THERAPIES

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'ENERGY SYSTEMS'

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Most complementary and alternative treatment & therapies are influenced by the Eastern philosophical concept of 'Life Force' energy, as being a central  and vital component to good health.  This 'Life Force' energy may be variously styled as 'chi' (China) 'prana' (India) - but the underlying thinking is the same.  It is that - this 'Life Force' energy does not just 'give life' - but is also central for 'obtaining' and 'maintaining' good health.  This can be seen most notably in the complementary/alternative treatment /practice of acupuncture - where the 'meridians' in the system of that treatment of medical practice can be regarded as carrying that 'Life Force' energy.

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HOLISTIC APPROACH - HARMONY

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Complementary and alternative treatments & therapies are influenced in part by Eastern philosophical ideas and traditions.

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One such concept is - 'Harmony.'  In this concept of 'Harmony' we see embodied the 'integrated approach' - often found in complementary and alternative treatments & therapies.  This integrative' or 'harmonious' approach to medicine and treatment of illness can be seen reflected, in the what is often termed, the 'holistic approach' to medicine and treatment.

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Traditional medicine, regards disease as something 'separate' and 'distinct,' from the person affected by it.  This 'separateness' can often produce a distorted view of what the person suffering illness, is actually experiencing. 

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For example the 'emotional' and 'psychological' aspects of the disease may not be considered fully or at all in these traditional treatments.  However, these 'emotional' and 'psychological' experiences are very much a part and parcel of any disease and they do influence and affect the sufferer in a real and tangible way. 

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Those practicing complementary and alternative treatments & therapies in the main, have what is termed a -  'holistic approach' to treatment.  They generally regard the body in its totality - understanding that all the 'body's systems' are integrated into one individual 'physical' - 'emotional' - 'psychological' and 'spiritual' being. 

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In addition, such practices such as 'counselling' and 'listening' are central to these practices.  This integrative approach to treatment which is proving highly successful as a treatment method is one of the reasons for the growth in complementary and alternative treatment & therapies. 

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A consequence of this approach is the increase in 'personal care' and 'personal attention' - given to the patient.  With the emphasis on 'whole body care'/'holistic treatment' - it becomes necessary for the person administering treatment to become more familiar with the patient than is necessary in the case for traditional treatment.  We are all familiar with the image of doctors pushed for time and having long waiting lists of patients to see - this whole philosophy runs against the grain of alternative and complimentary treatments/therapies.

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PROACTIVE TREATMENT - PREVENTION

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Western medicine treats the 'illness' - with the emphasis, being on 'illness' - i.e. 'being ill.'  Complementary and alternative practitioners consider 'prevention' as being a core aspect of their work.  The emphasis is to prevent illnesses before they occur, in addition to treatment if they occur. 

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BALANCE

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This single word balance, perhaps encapsulates the whole philosophy behind complementary and alternative treatments & therapies.  Balance is an established Eastern philosophical principle - central to a great number of Eastern philosophies and tradition.  We therefore see the concept of balance not just in the treatment but also in the 'associated treatment practices' - that are encouraged by complementary and alternative treatment/therapy practitioners.  Thus, patients are encouraged to take up practices such as 'meditation,' 'tai chi,' 'yoga' as part of a health program. 

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THE FUTURE

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Complementary and alternative treatment & therapies, clearly have a future - however one doesn't have to wait for the future to enjoy the benefits of this understanding. 

We propose to look at this topic in future daily briefings and by way of introduction please find below SOLAR's - Complementary & Alternative Remedies Index.

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