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Medicine
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Dec 6, 2023
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Uploaded by ColonelGoatPerson1002
1
Nontraditional Health Care Practices
In contemporary society, nontraditional healthcare practices (NHPs), also referred to as
complementary alternative medicine (CAM), have gained huge acceptance in various parts of the
world. Currently, people seek complementary alternative medicine interventions to boost their
well-being and health. NHPs are based on traditional, cultural, and alternative medical
interventions that have been embraced for several centuries.
Nontraditional healthcare practices
tend to vary from one culture to another, and they are often based on cultural, philosophical, and
religious beliefs. This paper will delve into NHPs in different cultures, compare and contrast four
cultures, discuss the importance of NHPs in the provision of quality and holistic care, present
CAM options in where I come from, and propose reasons to explain the rise in the number of
persons seeking CAM options.
Nontraditional Healthcare Practices (NHPs) in Different Cultures
NHPs tend to vary from one culture to another. In Chinese culture, traditional Chinese
medicine (TCM), for example, is a widespread type of NHP. This treatment procedure, which has
been practiced for more than 2,500 years in China, is founded on the tenets of yin and yang,
energy equilibrium, and other five components (Lin, Yan & Hu, 2022). In Chinese culture, herbal
medication, acupuncture, and nutritional therapy are all part of traditional Chinese medicine.
Acupuncture is the placement of tiny needles into certain areas of one's body in order to
recuperate energy equilibrium. Herbal medicine is the application of plant-based treatments to
address a variety of ailments. Nutritional therapy is the practice of using cuisine as a therapy to
improve wellness and avert illness.
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In Native American culture, Native American medicine is an example of a long-used
NHP. Native American medicine represents a broad set of healing techniques that ancient people
in North America utilized for numerous years (McCormick, 2020). Native American medicine
includes herbal medicine, sweat lodges, and vision quests. Native American medicine is founded
on the concept of human-nature connection and equilibrium, and the aim of its therapies is to
bring back harmony and equilibrium to both individuals and communities. This form of
medication was used for many years and was highly accepted by the people. They were cured
and fully relied on it without having to borrow outside medical options.
In Indian culture, Ayurveda, or Ayurvedic medicine, is a common type of NHP. Ayurvedic
medicine, which has been practiced for more than five thousand years, is founded on the
principles of balance, peace, and self-treatment (Banerjee, 2020). Ayurvedic medicine treats
diseases and promotes health by using remedies made from herbs, dietary adjustments, and
behavioral modifications. Ayurvedic medicine is founded on the idea that everyone has a
particular genetic makeup and that care must be tailored to the requirements of each person.
In African culture, African traditional medicine is a widespread type of alternative health
care. African traditional medicine has been used for over 10,000 years for the treatment of
multiple diseases and is founded on the utilization of herbs, animal products, and minerals (Ndu
et al., 2022). African traditional medicine holds that sickness is induced by spiritual, social, and
physical elements. As a result, the therapy involves tackling all of these variables in order to
regain health.
Importance of NHPs in Providing Quality and Holistic Health Care
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NHPs are critical to delivering comprehensive and high-quality health care. Holistic care
centers on treating the entire individual, such as mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health
(Taylor, 2022). Moreover, NHPs foster self-healing and adopt an all-encompassing strategy for
medical care by tackling the underlying trigger of the disease. NHPs are also necessary for
delivering high-quality care. NHPs are frequently customized to the requirements of the patient
while considering one's culture, religion, norms, life philosophies, beliefs, and lifestyle. This
method of healthcare guarantees each person gets the best and most successful care possible.
NHPs can also help to reduce gaps in health care treatment. Traditional healthcare
methods have been continuously utilized for centuries in numerous cultures and have frequently
been continuously passed on from one generation to another. NHPs are frequently easier to
obtain and cost-effective for disadvantaged groups than traditional medical traditions and
practices. As a result, NHPs may assist in closing the healthcare coverage disparity and
improving medical results in these areas.
Nontraditional Health Care Options in Our Area
In our area, acupuncture, osteopathic medicine, Tai chi, Yoga, chiropractic, herbal
medicine, and therapeutic massage are among the nontraditional healthcare choices accessible.
As an American of African descent, I believe our ancestors in Africa had some of the best
practices that were later borrowed to be used today. Some of the herbs, that are only found there,
are used to make medicines that are used today. Today, people are slowly going back to
traditional medications like the use of herbs and fruits for healing. The herbs are used on a daily
basis in the form of seasoning. They not only add flavor to the food but also possess healing
properties. In the USA, Africans also value their heritage and consume foods straight from their
home countries which is also a form of healing practice since some of them are used as
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medication. In a recent survey conducted in my local area, roughly 20 percent of the populace
prefers nontraditional healthcare choices over conventional medical care practices.
Reasons for the Rising Number of People Using Nontraditional Health Care Options
The increasing number of individuals leveraging NHPs can be linked to many factors,
including a holistic approach, personalized care, conventional medicine side effects, and
increasing awareness. NHPs frequently concentrate on the entire person, such as their mental,
emotional, and spiritual health (World Health Organization, 2019). Several individuals find this
strategy attractive because they believe conventional treatments might not solve all of their
medical issues. Nontraditional healthcare providers are more likely than conventional healthcare
providers to devote a greater amount of time to their clients and provide customized treatment.
This kind of dedication may assist individuals feel heard, loved, cared for, respected, and
understood, resulting in higher levels of fulfillment with their medical treatment. A lot of
individuals are resorting to alternative healthcare choices to also prevent potential adverse
reactions and risks that accompany conventional medical therapies.
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References
Lin, S., Yan, Y., & Hu, C. (2022). Influence of degree of Chinese cultural identity and
performance expectation on consumption attitude for health care of traditional Chinese
medicine.
Computational and mathematical methods in medicine
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https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/3342169
McCormick, R. (2020). Indigenous North American healing. In
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https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781315276168-48/indigenous-
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Banerjee, S. (2020). The essence of Indian indigenous knowledge in the perspective of Ayurveda,
Nutrition, and Yoga.
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Ndu, O. O., Akah, P. A., Ofokansi, M. N., & Akah, J. N. (2022). Principles and practice of
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International Journal of Unani and Integrative Medicine
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Taylor, R. C. (2022). Alternative medicine and the medical encounter in Britain and the United
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