Differences Between Conventional and Integrative Medicine
Factor | Conventional Medicine | Integrative Medicine |
|---|---|---|
Definition of health | A condition of physical, mental, and social well-being and the absence of disease and other abnormalities | Optimal balance, resilience, and integrity of the body, mind, and spirit and their interrelationships |
Definition of illness | Malfunction of an organ or a physical or biochemical process or undesirable symptoms | Imbalance of body, mind, and spirit Based on a person's specific symptoms and individual physical, mental, and spiritual make-up |
Concept of life force | Internal processes that are based on known physical laws and involve physical and biochemical processes | A free-flowing energy that connects mind and body and contributes to health (called qi in traditional Chinese medicine, pronounced "chi") |
Understanding of consciousness | Results only from physical processes in the brain | May or may not be created in the brain and mind Can help in healing |
Method of treatment | Any treatment that is supported by scientific evidence, including medications, surgery, medical devices, physical therapy, exercise, diet, and changes in lifestyle | Includes conventional medicine methods in addition to evidence-informed natural healing practices and the person's inherent capacity for healing |
Reliance on scientific evidence | Strict reliance on established principles of scientific evidence | Uses scientific evidence, with treatments also based on traditional use and theory; includes less conclusive scientific support for lower risk practices (for example, breathing exercises) |