Medicine alone is not enough for overall health and wellbeing

GREATER KAILASH, India - March 3, 2018 - PRLog -- India has a rich tradition of medicinal wisdom coupled with a strong capability in modern medicine. Ours is a country where medical pluralism is officially recognized and encouraged. Apart from modern medicine, there are other such systems, which are used by people. When used in the right combination, they can help in overall health and wellbeing.

Modern medicine is only couple of hundred years old. Prior to that it was traditional medicine being used based on the local needs of the country. The oldest of them being Indian ayurvedic system of medicine originating from Atharva Veda. Unani, Chinese, and Tibetan medicine probably are all off shoots of Ayurveda.

Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Immediate Past National President Indian Medical Association (IMA), said, "Medicine is just one aspect of care and ensuring good health. There are some other aspects such as therapy which are equally beneficial in curing a person. Alternative medicine refers to therapies that are used in place of conventional care. Complementary therapies are used in conjunction with mainstream medical therapies and include massage, support groups, guided imagery, biofeedback, and hypnosis. Folk medicine refers to therapies provided by family or group members as part of a family or cultural tradition. For instance, 'cold' foods for 'hot' illnesses, religious or ritual healing practices (coining or sand painting) and using chicken soup to treat upper respiratory infections."

Apart from this, there is integrative medicine which refers to the integration of CAM therapies into mainstream medical practice based upon evidence of safety and effectiveness. For example, a doctor recommends ginger or acupuncture for nausea for a patient who does not want to take an antiemetic medication.

Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, who is also the Group Editor of IJCP, said, "Lastly, the importance of holistic medicine cannot be undermined. It refers to the care of the whole patient (body, mind, emotions, spirit, and relationships) in the context of his or her values, beliefs, culture, and community. This system of medicine is closely related to comprehensive care. Examples of holistic medicine include promotion of literacy, screening for depression or alcohol use in family members, assessment of spirituality, and promotion of housecleaning to reduce allergic symptoms."

All this and more will also be discussed and deliberated upon during various sessions at the 25^th Perfect Health Mela this year in October – which also marks the silver jubilee celebrations of the event.