Western medicine
"Western medicine" is a term sometimes used to describe evidence-based medicine,
which, for various historical reasons, emerged from "Western" civilization (i.e. countries
originally populated by or settled by Europeans), though it is now practiced throughout the
world.
The term is most commonly used by promoters of "Eastern" medicine or therapies, such
as acupuncture or Reiki, or of other forms ofalternative medicine. It may be substituted for other
phrases such as "conventional medicine" or "mainstream medicine" by promoters of Western
forms of alternative medicine, such as homeopathy. You're most likely to encounter these terms
in the context of explaining how Western medicine only focuses on symptoms and not the causes
of illness, or some other such hogwash.
REFERENCE: [Link]
Western medicine is the term used to describe the treatment of medical conditions with
medications, by doctors, nurses and other conventional healthcare providers who employ
methods developed according to Western medical and scientific traditions. Other names for
Western medicine include traditional medicine orallopathic medicine. It differs from Eastern, or
alternative, medicine, in its approach to treatment, which relies heavily upon industrially
produced medications and a strict adherence to the formal scientific process.
Western medicine encompasses all types of conventional medical treatment, including
surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and physical therapy. The practitioners of Western medicine
are doctors, nurses, physical, occupational, and respiratory therapists. Generally, anyone visiting
a doctor's office or hospital will receive allopathic treatment.
The main benefit of traditional medicine is that the work of allopathic practitioners is subject to
rigorous safety and effectiveness protocols. Treatments and medications pass a strict review
before a patient can receive them. While some Eastern medicine treatments have been the subject
of clinical trials and long-term studies, they are in the minority.
Western medicine has a long history of safety to back up various treatment protocols.
Before a new treatment or drug is approved for use on the public, it goes through an extensive
testing process, first in the laboratory, and then through several layers of patient testing. Some
people become frustrated with Western medicine because the approval process for new
treatments is so lengthy. For people with concerns about the type of treatment they are receiving
for a particular condition, there is no reason to abandon conventional medicine. Clinical trials
allow many patients to take advantage of new treatment protocols before they receive official
approval.
The guidelines for participating in clinical trials are very strict, and many will not accept
patients who have received alternative medicines, due to concerns that it will skew the results of
the trial. Teaching and research hospitals typically house most clinical trials, so living within
commuting distance of one of these establishments increases the odds of participation. If you
believe that you would benefit from aclinical trial, ask your physician for a recommendation.
Western medicine practitioners are generally willing to work with other allopathic practitioners
to devise the best course of care for a particular injury or illness. One patient may have a primary
care physician, a surgeon, a physical therapist, and an occupational therapist. They will share
information with each other to help improve the prognosis, and reduce the potential downtime
for each patient. Some of these practitioners may also be willing to work with practitioners of
alternative, and Eastern medicine, though this is less common.
Consider a visit to a Western trained physician for any condition that is serious or
invasive. The decision to treat a serious medical condition with alternative medicineis not a
decision to make lightly. Instead, talk to a traditional doctor about any concerns about a specific
treatment, and seek second opinions whenever possible.
REFERENCE: [Link]