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person is unique. This uniqueness is described in terms of temperament, which in effect combines, inter alia, features of a person’s constitutional make-up with his or her personality and behavioural tendencies. Temperament is viewed as an


important aspect in the diagnosis, treatment and support of a person with a particular ailment. Tibb research has revealed that specific disorders are more prevalent in people with a certain temperamental disposition. An important preliminary in any medical consultation, therefore, is the accurate assessment of the patient’s temperament. Another aspect of Tibb is the notion of the body’s inherent wisdom, or physis: the capacity of the living body to self- regulate, so maintaining harmony in the face of internal metabolic and external environmental challenges. This goes above and beyond fortifying the immune system, although this is an integral part of it. The concept is not exclusive to Tibb, as it is also manifested in a number of complementary paradigms, notably


«In 2010, 75% of the $2.6 trillion the US spent on healthcare, was for treating chronic diseases»


Ayurveda, homeopathy and naturopathy. Tibb accepts that although treatment is applied from the outside, true healing actually comes from within. Tibb therapy aims to enhance physis, and so focuses on supporting the ‘inner doctor’ by combining dietary, pharmaceutical and therapeutic measures with acceptable lifestyle advice. The application of the lifestyle factors


in maintaining health and opposing disease is another important facet of Tibb. These refer to a person’s behaviour and lifestyle, and include the person’s regular diet, toxin elimination, breathing practice, physical exercise and relaxation, sleep hygiene, stress alleviation, and factors influencing the mental state. Tibb therapy is partly directed at actively modifying these to


reduce the person’s clinical risk profile. A positive spin-off, which follows the empowerment of patients when involving the lifestyle factors, is the improvement, reported spontaneously, in the patient’s quality of life. Tibb can stand alone as a coherent system of health maintenance and disease alleviation. However, Tibb diagnosis and therapy is largely congruent with conventional medicine, as they both can lay claim to the same historical origins. It also resonates with emerging research which confirms the therapeutic value of specific lifestyle changes. This confirms Tibb as a suitable partner in the practice of IM, when combined with conventional medicine. In practical terms, a Tibb consultation, conducted in a relaxed, stress-free atmosphere, will intensively review the patient’s (and his or her family’s) medical history, and identify their temperament. From this, beneficial changes to the patient’s lifestyle will be discussed and mutually agreed, and reinforced with herbal and other therapies as required.


CONCLUSION IM combines the best features of two medical paradigms. The value of orthodox medicine for acute disorders and clinical crises is supported by the benefits of complementary medicine in preventative healthcare and maintenance. Because of manifest advantages such


as cost effectiveness, patient acceptability and tolerance that IM offers, it has the potential to improve many countries’ healthcare systems. It is not going to be a passing fad or phase. Significant numbers of orthodox


medical practitioners are indeed learning about, and applying, IM in one form or other, using acupuncture, phytotherapy and homeopathy. Others are combining orthodox medical practice with Tibb or Ayurveda in treating disorders such as diabetes, hypertension and chronic pain, and in the management of geriatric patients. As the dichotomy between orthodox


and complementary practice becomes blurred, and more doctors accept the value of CAM, then patients should be able to enjoy the ‘best of both healing worlds’. ■


AH


 REFERENCES References available on request (magazine@informa.com)


80 www.lifesciencesmagazines.com


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