Hannah Taylor

ENGL 137H
Dr. Miles
3 November 2014
Paradigm in Medicine
The field of medicine frequently undergoes changes in methodology and ideology,
especially as technology and knowledge expands. Without research, it is very difficult to
discover and develop revolutionary breakthroughs in every field of every medicine, no matter
what the species. Recently, medicine has been characterized by a paradigm shift in treatment;
doctors, technicians, and patients look for more natural ways of treatment. This holistic trend in
medicine shifts away from laboratory-manufactured drugs and toward more natural remedies
such as vitamins, minerals, or herbs when treating ailments.
In the era of organic, sugar-free, and reduced fat, more people seem to be concerned with
what substances they put into their body. However, this transition to healthier living goes beyond
dieting to the point where patients express interest in natural remedies for illness. The patient
has a responsibility for recognizing good health and maintaining it, (Glasser 1492). An increase
in molecular-biology based use of pharmaceuticals has led to a response in the form of natural
treatment. Chronic diseases, or diseases that are not affected by drugs, exemplify the need for
reform that some scientists encourage (Ventegotd et al 296). Resistance to medication is also an
increasing phenomenon in medicine that proves difficult in continued use of vaccinations.

Simple viruses such as the common cold have become more and more complex due to the
resistance of the virus to medication. In fact, [o]ften a symptom can be eliminated for a while
with drugs, but this is not always good as the patient might need to learn to study the imbalances
in life that cause the disturbances and symptoms, (Ventegotd, et al 295). The argument
presented in the article Clinical Holistic Medicine: Use and Limitations of the Biomedical
Paradigm proposes that the use of drugs as treatment can cause a person to believe that his or
her quality of life is dependent on the doctor and not on themselves as the patient. The article
goes on to state that [w]henever we treat our patients with designed molecules that interfere
with the bodys intercellular communication, we are not in complete control of the effects and
adverse reactions of the drug, in spite of numerous clinical trials in animals and humans.
Though this advanced science and technology is remarkable when considering human
achievement, it is not always the best remedy. Because all people and animals are different, even
the same medicines will produce unique results from patient to patient. While one drug may
work successfully for one patient, it may have no effect at all on another. Cancer is the epitome
of this example because not all patients respond to chemotherapy in the same way, even if said
patients are diagnosed with the same stage and type of cancer. While one patient may respond
very well to it, another may need to seek different alternatives. Thus, holistic health, or the
application of more natural treatments, rises.
Natural health care is also becoming increasingly popular as the cost of health care rises.
As Glasser points out in his letter to the editor, Preventive health and self-health constitute one
strategy for cutting the cost of health care. Since 1979, the year Glassers letter appeared, the

price of health care has significantly increased. Holistic health care not only becomes a
proponent of the responsibility a patient must take for himself or herself, but it also becomes an
advocate for more economically beneficial ways of life.

Notorious ailments such as the common cold are often combated with supplements such
as Vitamin C. However, there is little evidencevery modest evidence at bestthat actually
presents Vitamin C as having an impact on the person taking it. Vitamins and minerals are often
only prescribed in the case of deficiencies; the body cannot benefit from taking more than its
required amount of vitamins or minerals (Ventegodt et al 299). The supplement acts more as a
placebobecause the patient hears of these mother-guaranteed remedies, he or she feels as if
the condition is getting better when in reality the supplement has little to no impact on the
immune system. Is holistic health care then very effective at treating, or is it more effective at
educating a patient?
The Native American Health Center is a substance-abuse and mental health clinic that
utilizes holistic medicine for treatment. As Wright reports, The HSC integrates mental health,
substance abuse, medical, HIV/AIDS, and dental services It incorporates traditional Native
American culture with modern holistic care in order to encourage healthier lifestyles among
patients. Results have shown a positive impact on the lives of those involved, attributed to the
holistic system of care (Wright 1426-1427). The Native American Health Center serves as a
prime example of the benefits of holistic care that extends beyond medical benefits and into the
scope of everyday life.

Another example of the effectiveness of holistic medicine is a study conducted as part of

an undergraduate nursing program by Marty Downey of Boise State University. Downey
hypothesized that teaching holistic nursing would create an expansion of consciousness and
awareness for participants in the course.

The theoretical framework used to direct this study evolved from

Florence Nightingales (1992) theory of natural healing, Jean
Watsons (2002) theory of caring healing, and Margaret Newmans
(1994) nursing theory of health as expanding consciousness,
(121).
These techniques, along with [a]pplication of imagery, massage, Therapeutic Touch, and other
complementary healing practices associated with nursing practice, (120) are also taught in the
course. This published study concludes, selected complementary or alternative therapies such
as massage, imagery, and Therapeutic Touch are commonly used in practice by critical care
nurses, (qtd. Lindquist, Tracy, Savik, & Watanuki, 2005, 74). Participants in such courses
report beneficial personal and professional lifestyle changes as a result of incorporating holistic
medicine into their mental itinerary.

Holistic approach to medicine is not exclusive to human medicine. Integrative medicine

finds a home in veterinary medicine as well. Acupuncture, chiropractic therapy, and ancient
Chinese methods, among others, are incorporated into a vast variety of cases in animal health
care such as arthritis, tendon or ligament tears, and chronic renal failure to name only a few.
(Veterinary Institute of Integrative Medicine). This demonstrates the broad impact the paradigm

has on the entire healthcare industry; its major significance makes it worthy of continued
investigation.
It is also important to note that holistic medicine does not discourage the use of drugs or
pharmaceuticals for treatment. Diseases such as diabetes have become less of an impact to the
patients life because of biomedicine. (Ventegodt et al 302). The advanced technology that goes
into the drugs has allowed humans with diabetes to lead normal lives. The medicine, in most
cases, makes living with the disease manageable, an unattainable feat if the patient were not
taking the prescribed drugs. While holistic medicine is a revolutionary way of thought, it is no
way fit to serve as the primary source of medical care. Instead, experts encourage an increase in
the supplement of holistic medicine with standard forms of health care in order to maximize
results.

The trend toward holistic medicine comes from the Life Mission Theory, a postulate that
claims that every person has the right to live happily, healthily, and naturally (Ventegodt et al
297). The holistic theory of healing argues not for a medical cure but for a feeling of
wholeness within the person. This is on the far end of the spectrum, but it is important to note
how far this holistic theory extends. Holistic theory has roots in medical practice but can be
applied to all aspects of life when viewed in this way.

Demonstrably, [h]olistic healthis more than a fad, (Glasser 1492). Various fields
of medicine, both human and nonhuman, witness and feel the impact of the shift towards holistic

theory. This is attested to by the number of physicians and other health care providers affiliated
with holistic organizations and the amount of dollars available for research in the area, (Glasser
1492). Costs of health care, changes in ideas of health, and an overall increase in more directly
including the patient in health care leads to the shift toward holistic or integrated forms of
medicine. While holistic medicine proves to have its benefits, it should not serve as the sole
means of health care. When combined with modern forms of advanced medicine, health care
becomes more well-rounded and beneficial to patients of all kinds. As healthcare becomes wellrounded, overall quality of life improves.

Works Cited
Downey, Marty. "Effects of Holistic Nursing Course: A Paradigm Shift for Holistic Health
Practices." Journal of holistic nursing: official journal of the American Holistic Nurses'
Association 25.2 (2007): 119-25.
Glasser, M. "Holistic Medicine." JAMA 242.14 (1979): 1482. JAMA. Web. 28 Oct. 2014.
<http://jama.jamanetwork.com.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/article.aspx?
articleid=366740#>.
Soren Ventegodt, Mohammed Morad, Eytan Hyam, and Joav Merrick, Clinical Holistic
Medicine: Use and Limitations of the Biomedical
Paradigm, TheScientificWorldJOURNAL, vol. 4, pp. 295-306, 2004.
doi:10.1100/tsw.2004.28 (on flash drive)
Veterinary Institute of Integrative Medicine. Veterinary Institute of Integrative Medicine, Web.
22 Oct. 2014. <http://www.viim.org/>.
Wright, Serena. "Holistic System of Care: Evidence of Effectiveness." Substance use & misuse
46.11 (2011): 1420-30.