Eastern Vs. Western Medicine Systems

Eastern vs. Western Medicine systems

Many a times Ayurvedic practitioners are asked this simple, yet important question – What is the key difference between Eastern and Western systems of medicine ?  This post attempts to answer the question.

Huang Di, China’s emperor from about 2697 BC to 2597 BC, had this to say on prevention – “To fight a disease after it has occurred is like trying to dig a well when one is thirsty or forging a weapon once war has begun.”

About Ayurveda

First and foremost, the basic premise of Ayurveda is to stay in good health by focusing on prevention.

Ayurveda looks at health from a perspective of staying healthy; rather than waiting to cure sickness. An Ayurvedic doctor (Ayurvedacharya) is trained to observe changes in her patient – by doing pulse reading, looking for physical changes and asking questions.

The Ayurveda outlook visualizes the body as a whole system, and not isolated organs that need to be taken care of independently.

The basic premise of prevention makes sense to almost everyone.  Despite this, most Western health care systems continue to focus on treatment rather than prevention.   Why is the obvious question.   Could the answer lie in simple economic principles – There is a lot more money in treating illness, when compared to preventing it.     This approach has worked for many decades with continuous increases in national health care spending and a parallel growth in the numbers of “ill” citizens.

Have we hit the tipping point on a “Sickness Cure System” vs. a true Health Care system ?  Leading economies of the world (including the United States) have to accept that health care is challenging the basic foundations of their economic stability.   Prevention of sickness and keeping the nation healthy is increasingly looking like the better (perhaps the only) option vs. waiting for illness to strike and then curing it.    American physician Oliver Wendell Holmes summed it well, “To guard is better than to heal – the shield is nobler than the spear!”

Knowing about Ayurveda

There are many who have seen the merits of Ayurveda in staying healthy, rather than waiting to cure illness.  While some nations such as Germany have been the early adopter and supporters of Ayurveda, others are increasingly exploring Ayurveda.   The Internet can largely be credited for the profound empowerment of individuals when it comes to health information.   Being able to know the options available is the first step.  Access

Access to Ayurveda

Accessing the knowledge of Ayurveda and reaching practitioners of Ayurveda has been the next challenge.   With most countries not allowing the practice of Eastern medicine (through direct or indirect restrictions), the only option was to take a flight down to India.   Which in itself is not a very practical or affordable solution by any yardstick.

Ayurveda Group’s Solutions

Ayurveda Group, using technologies like video conferencing, is enabling individuals from around the globe to take advantage of Ayurveda.   Technology has brought the opportunity to consult with a Health doctor, from the comfort of your home.

 

To book a consultation (short or detailed) with an Ayurveda Doctor,  follow the link below -

http://ayurvedagroup.com/blog/products-page/consultations/

 

 

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