An
Integrative Approach
by

thomas

lodi,

md
to cancer
B
efore we can discuss integra-
tive medicine, we must speak
the same language, so a few
definitions are in order. The word “in-
tegrate” means to combine or unify,
while the word “medicine” in this
context, is broadly defined as diagnos-
ing and treating diseases. Therefore,
generally refers to conventional, tained by force.
the term “integrative medicine” should
mainstream, orthodox, scientific or When, in 1993, it was found
mean the combining and unification
Western medicine. It is a clear sign of that one out of three Americans had
of different systems of diagnosing and
ignorance when the term “traditional” been to an alternative practitioner,
treating diseases.
is used when referring to conventional the banks opened their coffers and an
The “different systems” referred
medicine. explosion of CAM practices furiously
to include alternative, naturopathy,
alTernaTive medicine refers to
and enthusiastically spread through-
homeopathy, allopathy, osteopathy,
any and all healing practices that fall
out the United States. According to
and traditional medicine.
outside the scope of conventional
the American Hospital Association,
TradiTional medicine includes
medicine. This category is, therefore,
the percentage of U.S. hospitals that
herbal, Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani,
extremely diverse, encompassing
offered CAM in 2004 was 20% and
Native American healers, Islamic
everything from true shamanic healers
another 24% of hospitals are actively
medicine, traditional Chinese medi-
to naturopaths to homeopaths to yogis
incorporating these therapies in order
cine, Hawaiian kahunas, Polynesian,
to chiropractors to acupuncturists to
to compete.
African, South American rain forest
charlatans selling footbaths; hence it
What has occurred in Western
shamans and indigenous peoples
is often thought of as non-evidenced
medicine is that rather than truly
from all over the world. The World
based, non-scientific and ineffective.
integrating all of these therapeutic ap-
Health Organization defines tradi-
Quite often now, it is grouped with
proaches, the political climate is such
tional medicine as follows: “the health
the term “complementary medicine,”
that conventional medical therapies
practices, approaches, knowledge and
which actually refers to these very
are considered foundational while the
beliefs incorporating plant, animal
same alternative practices when used
others are considered nice, but not
and mineral-based medicines, spiri-
only as an adjunct to conventional
essential.
tual therapies, manual techniques and
medicine.
This is a very dangerous and
exercises, applied singularly or in
contrary philosophical position from
complemenTary and alTerna-
combination to treat, diagnose and
which to disseminate information and
Tive medicine (CAM) was defined
prevent illnesses or maintain well-
advance therapeutic options, if the
by the CAM office of the National
being.” The roots of these venerable
intent is to benefit the health and wel-
Institute of Health in 1995 as, “a
systems reach back far in advance of
fare of the people. Without the filter of
broad domain of healing resources
antiquity, predating science, the child
learned prejudices, it is automatically
that encompasses all health systems,
born of ignorance and atheism, by
deduced (a priori) that human beings
modalities, and practices and their
untold millennia.
are born out of nature and hence, func-
accompanying theories and beliefs,
tion according to natural law. Obvious-
allopaThic medicine (allos =
other than those intrinsic to the po-
ly then, it becomes clear that one must
other) was actually coined by Samuel
litically dominant health system of a
abandon one’s common sense and
Hahnemann, the founder of homeop-
particular society or culture in a given
innate sensibilities in order to promote
athy. It was a pejorative term meaning
historical period.”
the conventional perspective.
that the “regular doctors” who admin-
The operative word in that state-
It is nature and science, then, that
ister chemical toxins to their patients
ment is “political.” Although not
ought to be integrated, if we are to
are employing treatment modalities
appropriate to the present discussion,
produce an amalgam of wisdom and
that are unrelated to the condition
it should be kept in mind that often,
knowledge to lift our brothers and sis-
(disease) and are dangerous. It, now,
political power is achieved and main-
ters from the quagmire of disease and
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