Intergrading Ayurveda and Modern Medicine in today’s practice
Dr. Andrew Tsourouktsoglou, M.D.
Today's age is the age of extreme
specialization. In early 21st century newer medical research and
developments are occurring faster than ever, leading to sub-specialization and
super-specialization. But one should never forget that a human being is a
psychosomatic organism and his functioning is interdependent on various factors
simultaneously.
Ayurveda is the world's oldest
recorded healing system. Used during the last 5,000 years by many thousands of
doctors on millions of patients, it is a proven and safe system of prevention
and healing. Ayurveda's ultimate goal is to achieve and maintain health by
working toward balance and harmony, not merely by fighting disease. Prevention
is emphasized over cure. Ayurveda recognizes the importance of physical
balance, emotional release, mental health, environmental mindfulness and
spiritual progression in the total health picture of an individual.
On the other hand, Modern
‘Conventional’ Medicine does very well in cases of traumatic injury, acute and
emergency care, helped by all high-tech diagnostic equipment, MRI and CT scans,
Laser beams, smart drugs, etc. Many lifes are saved due to the existence of
Intensive Care Units, advance surgery techniques, antibiotics, etc.
But today’s humanity, especially in
the western world, suffers more from auto-immune diseases, allergies, heart
disease, cancer and even addiction and lots of psychosomatic disorders.
It is a real challenge for a
Medical Doctor today to use the age old knowledge of Ayurveda and the basic
Vata – Pitta – Kapha Principles, while at the same time is keeping in line with
modern medical investigation – laboratory techniques. A real challenge to combine
conventional, well grounded modern medicine as well as complementary and
alternative approaches in a holistic and truly unifying way.
When treating a person in this way,
the person is treated as a whole, not just the disease. So, apart from
the totality of the disease, the totality of the person as an individual is of
equal importance.
Elaborate details – his build,
appetite, thirst, food likes and dislikes, sleep, etc, are all taken into
account. Also of prime importance is the mental make-up of the patient. The
nature of the patient, sensitivity, fears, phobias, moods are all taken into
account. Therefore, two individuals suffering from a similar disease but with
different mental & physical disposition will require two different holistic
approaches.
Today’s medicine should treat the individual who is
diseased and not just the disease in the individual!