Understanding Functional Medicine:Today people are seeking alternative methods of medical care. Functional medicine is a holistic approach to treatment and aspires to treat a patient not only physically but also on an emotional and spiritual level. This treatment is based on the assumption that every individual is unique and has a distinct biochemistry. Functional medicine, often referred to as the medicine of the future is a holistic treatment which takes into account the well being and lifestyle of an individual. The treatments are usually personalised where the patient also plays an active role in the treatment as often radical changes in diet and lifestyle are required.The treatment is anchored on the philosophy that dynamic balance exists between an individual’s internal and external factors. Disease or illness occurs when this balance is disturbed. Functional medicine is rooted in two simple scientific principles which advocate adding what is deficient to help the body achieve an optimal state of functioning and removing anything which hampers its journey towards achieving an optimal physiology. Unlike conventional medicine which only masks or manages the symptoms, this medicine uses innovative research methods to get to the root of the ailment and treat it accordingly. According to Dr Mark Hyman, a well renowned physician and an advocate of this alternative treatment, ninety percent of all illnesses arise due to imbalances in the seven fundamental core systems namely nutrition, hormones, immune function, digestion, detoxification, energy metabolism and mind-body. In his book, ‘The Ultramind Solution’, Dr Hyman presents a simple plan based on the functional medicine principles to reinstate health and vitality.Functional Medicine versus Conventional Treatments:Conventional medicine is disease centred and is divided into different specialties like cardiology, neurology, endocrinology, haematology, psychiatry etc. It provides independent treatments for each of the body’s organisation. However an individual is made of intricate web like networks involving the mind and the body which are in constant communication with each other. The name of the disease does not matter more than the cause.Hence a psychiatrist may not be able to effectively treat a depressed patient by antidepressants as the underlying cause maybe a hormonal imbalance like a low functioning thyroid. Functional medicine unlike conventional medicine is not compartmentalised and tries to delve into underlying causes where treatments are customised to the cause rather than the disease.Healing Chronic DiseasesMany people suffer from chronic ailments. Conventional treatments are usually not effective in treating such ailments. As a result such people have to limit their lives accordingly and this in turn puts a huge socioeconomic burden on the society. In such cases, this treatment becomes significant since it undertakes a holistic approach to treatments which especially becomes necessary in case of chronic health conditions. For example a chronic ailment like depression might not be corrected by prescribing antidepressants as the underlying cause might be a vitamin D deficiency. Functional medicine effectively corrects such underlying imbalances and nudges the patient slowly towards the path of wellness.Functional medicine can be considered as the future of medicine as it holds the keys to several health challenges where conventional treatments fail miserably. The present healthcare system needs a paradigm shift in its thinking and functional medicine should be complimented with conventional treatments for achieving optimal health.
Pagan Medicine: Then and Now
A time will come when our children’s children will look back upon the age of “modern” medicine of the 21st century as paganistic witchcraft, foisted upon ignorant masses of people. May God rightly judge those who corrupted His ministry of healing and killed His children.When one compares today’s modern medicine with that of the medicine practiced by ancient Egyptians, a remarkable similarity unfolds.The Egyptian Papyri, discovered in Thebes about 1862, furnish medical prescriptions issued in Egypt about 1552 B.C. Listed among the ingredients are-lizard’s blood-Moisture from pig’s ears-animal fats-excreta from humans, animals and insects-drugs (1)For example, to cure embedded splinters, worms’ blood and asses’ dung were applied. Such a practice had to result in a heavy toll of death from lockjaw, since dung is loaded with tetanus spores. (2)By Contrast, the neighboring nation of Israel enjoyed relatively good health. Their nation was a Theocracy (ruled by God). God promised the Israelites they would not suffer any of the diseases that afflicted the Egyptians, if they observed His commandments.(3)In light of the fact that Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians (Acts 7:22), it is amazing none of the Egyptian treatments for illness show up in the Pentateuch. (4) And there is good reason. The health laws God laid down to the Israelites, i.e. sanitary disposal of excrement, washing and use of running water, isolation and quarantine, dietary regulations, cleansing after touching the dead, have all stood the test of time.However, when tomorrow’s historians investigate the written modern medicine medical record of the 21st century, what will they find? They will find medicinal ingredients, not unlike that of the ancient Egyptians.-Pus from sores of diseased animals-Horse serum-Calf serum-Fecal matter-Urine-Unwashed physician hands-Poisonous drugsThe record will also reveal these “modern medicines” had about the same results as the ancient Egyptians, and did nothing to advance healing. As a matter of fact, they will learn the use of these substances advanced disease at the expense of untold human suffering and death. (5,6)Fortunately, not every modern day physician subscribes to modern day pagan medicine. Dr. Robert Mendelsohn, M.D., an ardent foe of modern medicine wrote;”I no longer believe in modern medicine. I believe that despite
all the super technology and elite bedside manner, the greatest danger to your health is the doctor who practices modern medicine. I believe that Modern Medicine’s treatments for disease are seldom effective, and that they’re often more dangerous than the disease they’re designed to treat.” – Dr. Robert Mendelsohn, M.D.When you consider the modern day medicine apparatus is directly responsible for one of every three deaths, (7) Dr. Mendelsohn is right.I believe there are others, men and women like Dr. Mendelsohn who will rise up to restore dignity, honor and holiness to the ministry of healing. They will rise up and overthrow the pagan form of medicine we know today as modern medicine.I believe a time will come when our children’s children will look back upon the age of “modern medicine” of the 21st century as paganistic witchcraft, foisted upon an ignorant peolpe. May God rightly judge those who corrupted His ministry of healing and killed His children.References:1. S.I. McMillen, None of These Diseases, 1963, 11-242. Ibid #13. Exodus 15:264. The first five books of the Hebrew Bible; Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. In the Jewish tradition these are the Torah, the law of the covenant.5. Diseases caused by medications include collagen vascular disease produced by blood pressure medications, and Cushing’s syndrome produced by prolonged cortico-steroid use. The New England Journal of Medicine has published several studies linking cancer chemotherapy to the later appearance of new malignancies. New England Journal of Medicine. 1990; 322: 1-66. Parkinsonism is caused by the neurological side effects of anti-depressants or anti-psychotic medication. A Harvard Medical School study showed that drugs were the real cause
of the original symptoms in 37 per cent of elderly patients who
were treated for Parkinson’s disease. L-dopa, the medication used in treating these patients has its own severe side effects, that often require the use of additional drugs to control., American Journal of Medicine. 1995; 99: 48-547. Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA), Vol. 284, July 26, 2000
Cutting Edge In Medicine- The Alternative Medicine
Alternative medicine is termed as informal, supplementary, and complementary medicine. Alternative medicine is lot different from conventional medical approaches and mainly prescribed instead of the regular treatments in allopathic field. The treatments, which are included in alternative medicine, are herbal medicine, homeopathy, Chinese, non-medical massage therapy, hypnosis, chelation therapy, acupuncture, tribal-traditional medicine, Christian Science, and ayurvedic.Conventional allopathic doctors are preferred in any case of health problem for any person from their childhood. Though alternative medicine has gained popularity and gained trust by many people still confusion about its advantages and disadvantages are questioned.However, these days there are various rigorous researches on alternative and complementary medicine are carried out and its efficiency is proved. There is a future in alternative medicine.The usage of this type of method is done by two following methods:
Combinations of both are also in use. For. E.g. In addition to the conventional prescription medicine a nice Tai massage is proved to do wonders. The second method is the alternative approaches are used instead of conventional method. i.e. alternative method alone is prescribed for any treatment.In Alternative medicine, there are few philosophies, which are observed. They are:
Body with little therapy and medicine can heal by itself. Always a product should enhance the bodies healing capacity. Prevention is better than cure. A general check up should always be done periodically to keep a check before anything goes wrong. Bodies responding capacity to any treatment is important then the treatment itself.Few Alternative medicine/ complementary medicines are:Mind and body technique: In this therapy combination of mind and body is the key. In alternative medicine harmony between mind and body are necessary to be fit. This connection method includes in prayer, hypnosis, yoga, biofeedback, meditation, relaxation therapies, music, dance etc.Dietary supplements and herbs: In this treatment natural products are used. Herbs and dietary supplements like ginkgo, enchinacea, ginseng, same, glucosamine sulfate, selenium are prescribed in the form of oils, tea, powder, syrup, tablet and capsule. This method is in practice for almost thousand and above years.Healing system: it is a combination of many therapy and practice/ remedy. It has its base revolving around the presence of healing energy in the body and the power of natural products used for curing. Healing system is the base in ayurveda, homeopathy, and naturopathy. Mostly countries like India, china, pacific, Asia, and Tibet follow this method of healing therapy.