Dr Wahida Murthy, MBBS DLO
Here in this article I am trying to present a holistic view of the integrated Medice; the system that provides customized, personalized, patient centric healthcare. In this unique healthcare system patient and practitioner are partners in the healing process. More than that, all pertinent factors that influence health, wellness, and disease are taken into consideration, including mind, spirit, and community, as well as the body
Background:
The present year has made it abundantly evident that being healthy, while important is not enough. We believe that It is not only freedom from illness , but also a state of social, emotional and physical well being. Traditional practices have been tested repeatedly and proved over time that integrated medicine is the answer to the trying times we face today and likely in the future.
Perspective
A few years ago, we came across and were inspired by an integrative medical System – Anthroposophic Medicine-given by the wisdom of being human, that has been practiced in Europe for more than 100 years. Founded by Dr Rudolf Steiner and Dr. Ita Wegman. This medical system has been actively used in Holistic management of many diseases and ailments. It is in practice in may institutions Eg: Gieminschaft KrankenHaus Havelhoe-Berlin, Filder Klinik-Stuttgart, Herdecke University Hospital, Germany, Paracelcus Spital-Zurich, Klinik Arlesheim-Dornach-Arlesheim-Switzerland, etc. These are Government or trust General Hospitals that have traditional Medicine and manage their clients and patients where they use conventional Allopathic medicine integrated with Anthroposophic Medicine. Thus integrating systems of therapy that is most customized for the individual. This is used as a complementary system acting as a bridge system for the wellbeing of the patient. The approach starts with identifying the primary cause of the illness be it physical or emotional etc. and the complications of these, and thus managing the treatment accordingly. An integral part of this system is not only internal medication, it is enhanced with external therapies, artistic therapies, yoga, therapeutic meditation, eurythmy, music, biography counseling, organic nutritional support, etc.
One of the important of integrated treatments is in cancer management that is done in many centres. The adjuvant treatment is with Mistletoe extract in injectables. This has been in use since 100 years especially in Klinik Arlesheim and is in extensive use in many of the centres in Europe. This is perhaps the most researched “anti cancer drug” in the world since more than 60 years. Patients who have received the therapy are given regular anti cancer treatments and mistletoe. They have been recorded to have good compliance with the medication, reduced side effects of Chemo radiation therapies, and increased efficacy of the same. It has been proven to cause Apoptosis, Immune enhancement of the effect of Natural Killer cells, T cells and macrophages, besides local anti cancer cell activity.
Anthroposophic Medicines have been used in many other areas , like neuro-degenerative diseases, paediatric disorders of inflammation . It is also effective in Autism and ADHD a rising trend in non communicable disease of children these days. It is also very effective in psycho therapy, DIabetes and Hypertension and other lifestyle diseases, Obstetrics and Gynecological diseases. Etc.
This being an inclusive method of training, doctors from all streams like, Allopathic, AYUSH practitioners, etc. learn this holistic methodology and practice this complementary medicine. Thus they are able to Integrating this system into their field of expertise, therein creating a bridge of therapeutic intent with the existing system and complementing it.
Thus far this has been an individual training, the interested doctors are mentored by established practitioners and after a rigorous training and are interviewed and examined before being certified to practice this method. This is supported by self study and group discussions as well as regular updates and the International Post graduate Medical Training conducted the world over, every year, which is structured as an off campus educational system that enhances the understanding of this medical system. Many doctors have been able to integrate this into their practice of healing to the best results
Nutrition plays an essential part in the delivery of health and this is true for adults as much as children. Surely, the loss of nutrition has been a growing concern in the building of immunity and is so well borne out in the rampant spread of disease in this year alone. One of the most important ways is to produce and ensure health by having nutritious food, can be achieved by organic and bio dynamic farming practices. Thus Agriculture that not only nurtures the consumer but also the soil that bears it is now a crying need in the face of many farmers having fallow land. Essentially doctoring the earth! Medical Doctors have been integral to the empowerment of farmers in this system as the farmers’ contribution has far reaching impact on the community at large.
Education in India that has been veering away from experiential; education to predominantly knowledge based ones in the recent few decades. Many people today in their 3rd and 4th decades of life feel more bereft of earthly skills and connect than before. The education that connects and ensures that children are groomed carefully in their formative years addressing their growth in physical, emotional and the intellectual domains in an age based manner is proven to deliver the best impact on the young human who graduates from school. Waldorf Education follows this philosophy and has been in vogue in Europe for more than 100 years and thus not an experimental unproven exercise. There are many schools who use this system of education all over the world. A rounded experiential education is more valuable in bring about salutogenic training. Connection the head, heart and the hands! The children thus develop rounded training and skills as well as healthy bodily and mental structure. Thus proving Waldorf education to be in effect Preventive medicine. We see that the present policy of the government is focused on vocational skills as well. School doctors are in essential hub in this school system.
We firmly believe that these three seemingly diverse streams – Integrated Healthcare, Healing Education and Organic Agriculture are actually three pillars that constitute and bear good health.- Of community, children and the Earth. The time has come for us to bring together the three in strength to ensure a robust society of the future.
(The Author is a specialist in Holistic Infertility and Family Health Consultant.Anthroposophic Physician,Art Therapist and Biography Counselor. Her contact: wahidaam@gmail.com)