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Traditional Medicine vs Complementary Medicine vs Alternative Medicine vs Integrative Medicine
Traditional Medicine vs Complementary Medicine vs Alternative Medicine vs Integrative Medicine ( 4 Questions)
A nurse is reviewing the medical history of a client who practices Ayurveda as a form of traditional medicine. The nurse should understand that Ayurveda is based on which of the following concepts?
Ayurveda is based on the concept of the balance of five elements in the body and the environment. These elements are ether, air, fire, water, and earth. They are the building blocks of all life forms and are present in different proportions in different individuals and situations. Ayurveda believes that health is a state of harmony between these elements, while disease is a state of disharmony or imbalance¹²³.
The harmony of yin and yang forces in the body and the universe is not a concept of Ayurveda, but rather of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Yin and yang are opposite but complementary principles that represent the dynamic balance of all phenomena. They are constantly changing and influencing each other, and health is a state of equilibrium between them, while disease is a state of excess or deficiency of either one⁴.
The integration of body, mind, and spirit in health and disease is a concept that is shared by many systems of medicine, including Ayurveda, but it is not unique to Ayurveda. Ayurveda recognizes that health is not just the absence of disease, but a state of physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual wellbeing. Ayurveda also considers that each individual has a unique constitution (prakriti) and life force (dosha) that determine their physical, mental, and spiritual characteristics and needs¹²³.
The stimulation of specific points on the body to restore energy flow is not a concept of Ayurveda, but rather of acupuncture, which is a part of TCM. Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body that correspond to different organs and functions. Acupuncture aims to regulate the flow of vital energy (qi) along the pathways (meridians) that connect these points. Acupuncture can treat various conditions by restoring the balance and harmony of qi⁴.
Choice A reason: Ayurveda is based on the concept of the balance of five elements in the body and the environment. These elements are ether, air, fire, water, and earth. They are the building blocks of all life forms and are present in different proportions in different individuals and situations. Ayurveda believes that health is a state of harmony between these elements, while disease is a state of disharmony or imbalance¹²³.
Choice B reason: The harmony of yin and yang forces in the body and the universe is not a concept of Ayurveda, but rather of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Yin and yang are opposite but complementary principles that represent the dynamic balance of all phenomena. They are constantly changing and influencing each other, and health is a state of equilibrium between them, while disease is a state of excess or deficiency of either one⁴.
Choice C reason: The integration of body, mind, and spirit in health and disease is a concept that is shared by many systems of medicine, including Ayurveda, but it is not unique to Ayurveda. Ayurveda recognizes that health is not just the absence of disease, but a state of physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual wellbeing. Ayurveda also considers that each individual has a unique constitution (prakriti) and life force (dosha) that determine their physical, mental, and spiritual characteristics and needs¹²³.
Choice D reason: The stimulation of specific points on the body to restore energy flow is not a concept of Ayurveda, but rather of acupuncture, which is a part of TCM. Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body that correspond to different organs and functions. Acupuncture aims to regulate the flow of vital energy (qi) along the pathways (meridians) that connect these points. Acupuncture can treat various conditions by restoring the balance and harmony of qi⁴.