Allopathic vs Naturopathic Medicine: Why the One Size Fits All Approach Does Not Work
Summary: Does modern (allopathic) medicine work better than natural medicine? Or is nature superior to synthetic medications humans create? For chronic issues, you may be surprised to know that nature reigns supreme.
The one size fits all approach is flawed at its core and is the reason why so many people go untreated, have an improper diagnosis, and are not getting the proper help they need to heal properly. This applies to both physical and mental conditions.
The one size fits all method is widely used in allopathic medicine, which is also known as science based or evidence based medicine, and modern medicine. It looks at a person’s symptoms, comes to a diagnosis, and treats based on the diagnosis. Scientific experiments are conducted to see how the individual reacts to the medication and the outcome. The goal of the experiments is always to prove the medication does what it’s intended.
In theory this sounds like a great concept, and it is for emergency situations. However, for long-term health, allopathic medicine causes more problems than it helps. It does not consider the individual’s unique symptoms, lifestyle, sensitivities, and so on. It’s more of a broad approach to a condition where a few drugs are available to remedy it, but is not customizable to the person dealing with the symptoms of the condition. This is where allopathic medicine falls short of treating people.
For instance, someone with depression goes to a psychiatrist and gets prescribed an antidepressant. There are quite a number of antidepressants available, and the one given by the doctor is usually because the doctor gets a higher kickback for prescribing that brand, meaning they are paid to prescribe that drug. While the drug is scientifically proven to lessen depression, it does so in other people dealing with depression, with all sorts of backgrounds, physical differences, and mental differences. Each and every one of these people are different and unique and thus, the one size fits all approach will only work to a limited capacity.
The person taking the antidepressant doesn’t notice changes, or it makes their depression worse. They are then prescribed another drug by their psychiatrist. Symptoms are often dismissed entirely or are grouped in with depression that a drug is supposed to fix. Time goes by and there may be some improvement in the individual, but they want to get off the drugs because it’s causing them other health problems. They cannot get off of them that easily, however, because they are now dependent on them. While it is possible to get off the drugs, it takes time and must be approached with extreme caution.
Another example of the one size fits all approach in allopathic medicine is vaccines. They are given at the moment of birth and as a child ages, regardless of family history, sensitivities, and other unique circumstances that could cause problems for the child. If a reaction occurs, it is almost always dismissed by the doctor as just a coincidence and to not worry about it. While many people could be just fine, there are some that can be screened before receiving any medication to detect sensitivities. However, this is never done since the science that proves allopathic medicine works is skewed and often funded by people and companies with conflicts of interest. Allopathic medicine is easily corruptible. With special interests and conflicts of interest, drugs are made more and more expensive to fill the pockets of those who make the drug.
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By contrast, if we look at alternative medicine, also known as holistic medicine, and naturopathic medicine, the protocols and methods are completely different. While it is true there are a lot less scientific studies on the effects of alternative medicine, it’s often not studied because money cannot be made from nature. It’s not legal to patent nature, which is often why it’s not studied as intensely and the studies are often used to discredit the very world we live in and replace it with synthetic, man-made compounds. Since nature cannot be patented, that doesn’t stop companies from trying to mimic it by taking certain compounds, genetically altering it, and making a new drug that is patentable and costs far more than a natural supplement would.
The benefits of holistic medicine are that they are tailored to the person and their symptoms. For instance, homeopathy is a form of natural medicine where a remedy is given based on very specific and certain criteria. If a person with a chronic headache visits a homeopath, the doctor would want to know everything about the person’s symptoms, such as is it worse in the morning or evening, cold or hot, in addition to life situations, stressors, etc. An allopathic doctor may have just prescribed medication, or the person with the headache could just pick one up over the counter. But with homeopathy, the belief is that suppression of symptoms, which is what the main goal of allopathy is, doesn’t actually address the issue, but instead makes it worse.
Taking a pill to stop a headache is a suppression of symptoms. A naturopathic doctor knows this and will instead recommend a remedy that will address the core reason the person is getting a headache. Perhaps there is stress at home that needs to be remedied, or a hormonal imbalance, or a poor diet. All these things would need to be addressed and tackled if the person truly wishes to heal. That is the main goal of holistic medicine, to heal from within and at the root, with the idea that the body heals itself, but may need a little help every now and again. The goal is never to make the person dependent on drugs for the rest of their life, nor is it to fill the pockets of those who make the remedies. Allopathic medicine cannot say the same.
Supplements, herbal medicine, homeopathic medicine, and other forms of natural medicine all work in different ways to heal at the source. While allopathic medicine is used to treat the disease, not the core issues. Alternative medicine shouldn’t be the alternative. It should be the primary way we get care for chronic problems. Acute problems and emergencies can be handled quite well with allopathic medicine, but it’s not good for long-term health. But, naturopathic medicine is individualized and has far better health outcomes than allopathic medicine ever wishes to achieve.
Let me know how this works for you. Have a great day!
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Many people switch over to natural medicine due to issues or failed outcomes with modern medicine. While allopathic medicine certainly has its place, it’s not for chronic issues since it never heals the root cause. I know the failures of modern medicine where doctors would always dismiss my complaints, even causing problems within my own family for not understanding and individualizing care. That is why I firmly believe that nature, such as supplements and herbs, are always far superior to anything humans can create in a lab. Modern medicine creates substances that do not exist in nature, and thus our bodies do not recognize it. Nature on the other hand, is recognized by our bodies and is here to help heal us. It has done wonders for me.
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