Inclusion of Integrative Medicine in Clinical Practice

摘要

Most Western medicines are synthetic chemical products that come with side effects for patients, and therefore, our modern medical system needs to be optimized. A new concept called integrative medicine represents a more comprehensive system for understanding our body in a holistic fashion in terms of analyzing, evaluating and treating complex diseases successfully. Integrative medicine may be the combination of Western medicine and complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) [1] in the United States and Europe, and in China, it might consist of integrated traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine [2].Since the 18th century, most diseases have been classified according to the Western medical system. Doctors, including traditional and CAM doctors, would diagnose diseases and choose systematic treatments based on the Western medical system. However, the diagnosis and treatment of such diseases could not catch up with the reforms developing with time. The pathogenic causes of diseases cannot be explained completely using exclusively the modern Western system. Many other medical systems are used for primary health care needs, such as TCM, traditional Indian medicine, traditional Korean acupuncture, mind-body therapy, yoga, Japanese oriental medicine (Toyo Igaku) and African herbal concoctions. The Kagera region of Northwestern Tanzania and Ayurveda (India) are cultures rich in original traditional medicine use and practice [3,4]. We need an integrative system to optimize and improve our medical systems. Given the advances in medical science and clinical practice in the 21st century, there is the need for a better integration of these different approaches [5].There are many technological methods to revert to in modern Western medicine, but they are still limited. Tongue examinations are not important for diagnostic evidence in Western medicine; however, they play an important diagnostic role in TCM and other traditional medicines [5]. Sometimes, diseases can also be diagnosed with yoga or mind-body therapy by observing the emotions, touching the face or skin and analyzing the voices of patients. Pulse checking and ‘Differentiation of Eight Principles' are important technical methods for diagnosis in TCM [6]. On the other hand, we also need modern technological methods to study TCM, Ayurveda, American herb treatments and Japanese oriental medicine. For example, how does mind-body therapy work in treating depression [7]? Does Taijiquan have an effect in treating fibromyalgia or Parkinson's disease [8,9]? How can herbs target adult neurogenesis to become a therapeutic strategy for brain repair and recovery of neurological functions [10]? Researchers also use many biochemical and pathological methods to determine the medical functions and actions of herbal therapies. Integrative medicine includes the medical systems of various clinical research areas.There are many advanced and scientific devices and clinical scales in Western medicine to sensitively evaluate most diseases, but there are still deficiencies. Integrative medicine has included many evaluation methods such as actigraphic recordings with detrended fluctuation analysis [11], robotic endoscopic capsules with IT technology [12] and electrohysterographic measurements with ultrasound analysis [13] to increase objectivity or quantity by improving the evaluating system of Western medicine. Another integrated magnetic resonance image technology, diffusion tensor imaging, provides sensitive technology to detect the effects of acupuncture in treating cerebral infarctions [14]. Tongue and pulse checking might be sensitive signs for evaluating some chronic diseases. Inversely, we also use advanced and scientific devices to quantitatively evaluate the effects of TCM or other integrative therapies, including mind-body therapy, yoga, Ayurveda, Toyo Igaku and Taijiquan. The evaluating methods have been included properly in integrative medicine.With the development of our underst