When Eastern and Western Medicine Collide (and Coexist)
As clinicians, nurses like us take care of patients holistically. We do not only minister to their physical needs, but also for their mental, emotional, spiritual, and even relational needs. Oftentimes, we utilize Western or modern Medicine to meet those needs. In essence, we assess patients or clients, treat them based on those findings, and evaluate if the interventions are effective.
But why are we more familiar with Western Medicine in contrast with Eastern Medicine? Let us start by defining some terms and differentiating the two.
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Western Medicine
Western or Mainstream Medicine is evidence-based practice. Clinicians utilize therapeutics, medications, or surgical management to address an individual’s concern. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) defines it as:
Although clinicians use their assessment and diagnostic skills and tools extensively in Western Medicine, they focus on treating the presenting symptoms initially. For example, a provider will prescribe an antipyretic for a patient who presents with a fever. Of course, they will most probably draw blood for cultures to find out what causes the fever, but that comes later. Another example is placing a fractured limb on a cast.
There is nothing wrong with Western Medicine. In fact, it provides quick and effective relief for the most part. That allows people to resume normal activities faster with fewer disruptions in their daily living.
However, treating the symptoms alone may not address the root cause of the problem. In retrospect, the fever, in our example above, may come back yet again!
Eastern Medicine
In contrast, Eastern Medicine is about keeping balance and harmony within the person. Its main focus is to address one’s needs holistically. It is not as mainstream as Western Medicine is because it is not usually part of standard care. Nevertheless, it is steadily gaining its well deserved recognition.
Some people may refer to it as traditional or complementary medicine. As the oldest codified medicine system, it originated in Asia. It includes Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda techniques. As I am not that familiar with Ayurveda, Eastern Medicine reference from here on will mean TCM. Examples of TCM include acupuncture, cupping, use of herbal medications, qigong (rhythmic breathing), and tai chi.
Holistic care in Eastern Medicine acknowledges the connection and the bond between mind, body, and spirit. Ancient belief asserts that an imbalance in any of those components results to disease or dis-ease! To prevent disease, therefore, there is a need to maintain that balance internally. Sure, Eastern Medicine also utilizes therapeutics, but they come in forms of herbal medicine and body works such as acupuncture and tuina among others.
Some ways practioners of TCM diagnose their patients is through feeling their pulses or examining their tongues. Findings may indicate an aberration in a patient’s Qi or lifeforce. Management can be tailored based on what that disruption may be.
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Which One is Better?
This is a hard question to answer. Both Western and Eastern Medicine provide benefits that may be similar in some ways but also different in other ways. For someone who may be anxious or have mental health issues, taking Xanax (Western Medicine) may provide immediate, albeit, temporary relief. However, regular meditation or breathing techniques may present a longer lasting resolution as each cultivates coping mechanism skills to help nip anxiety episodes in the bud.
Sure, purists may just choose to manage their anxiety with TCM and there is nothing wrong with it. Others, who may not be as familiar with Eastern Medicine, will swear by their Xanax, and that is fine, too. The point I am making is, having choices is great. Utilize the best management that works for your own issues. Or better yet, talk to your provider on how you will be able to use both Eastern and Western Medicine as complementary therapeutics for your health concerns.
Related to this, I have a story to share:
I had a friend who at that time was full term pregnant. Since the baby was breech, she and her husband were counselled by the obstetrician to prepare for a Cesarean section delivery. She was trying to wrap her head around that idea, when she happened to read about an acupuncturist practicing nearby. Out of curiousity, they just walked in. She thought to herself what has she got to lose if she tried it?
All it took was one needle!
When they came in to the hospital, she was checked. Lo and behold, the baby was positioned ideally for a normal birth! Yes, she was able to avoid getting a C-section.
Was it because of the acupuncture? Maybe! But then again, the baby may have turned on his own, who really knows?
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Introducing Eastern Medicine to Clinicians
There are some clinicians who may be hesitant to accept TCM or Eastern Medicine. It stems from the fact that they don’t consider the Qi to be scientific because it cannot be measured, imaged, or proven. Nevertheless, the very same people cannot deny the positive effects of acupuncture on pain control among patients with cancer, for example.
In essence, those who dare can actually combine Western and Eastern Medicine as complementary therapies. When I worked in Oncology before, I had a few patients who came to the unit for their chemotherapy in the morning. Then they stopped by an acupuncturist’s office before heading home to get relief from and help prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea.
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My Personal Take
I may be biased about TCM because I regularly go for acupuncture. I cannot really explain it in scientific terms but I am attuned to my own body’s needs whenever my Qi doesn’t flow as expected. Physical symptoms such as palpitations correspond with tenderness or discomfort along specific points in my meridians (the believed pathway of Qi). Sometimes my symptoms are relieved right after an acupuncture session. Sometimes they are just lessened. The point I am making, I guess, is this is purely my experience. I am in no way trying to convince anyone to try it just because it has positive effects on me.
In essence, I just want to reiterate that it is important for us, as nurses, to be aware of this emerging alternative that some of our patients or clients may be using. It should be part of our assessment process or even history taking. We will want to know if they are taking herbal supplements that may hinder their prescribed medications, for instance.
As patient advocates, we will want to support our patients’ healthcare choices. The first step in doing that is awareness.
What about you? Do you think a discussion about Eastern Medicine is warranted in healthcare circles? If so, how do you initiate that conversation?