The Need for Eastern Medicine in USA Hospitals

With the healthcare industry under plenty of scrutiny in recent years, more and more people are becoming curious when it comes to Eastern Medicine. Surely, you’ve heard about various mind-body practices that emphasize holistic treatment and the prevention of disease. Everything from acupuncture to yoga to energy healing modalities are popping up in wellness centers – and hospitals – across the nation. Indeed, even some of the highest ranked medical schools are now recognizing the demand and efficacy of alternative, or holistic medicine. Though some remain skeptical when it comes to holistic healthcare, research continues to show that Eastern Medicine is making a positive difference in patients.

Today, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH), one out of three Americans are turning to Eastern types of medicine, such as acupuncture, yoga, and massage to relieve chronic stress, pain, and to treat other ailments. But Eastern Medicine is nothing new. In fact, it’s an ancient holistic health modality that dates back thousands of years, primarily coming from traditional Chinese Medicine. This modality is holistic in nature, viewing patients as a whole entity – mind and body – rather than simply parts or separate organs and systems.

With the growing skepticism with traditional medicine, there is a growing demand for holistic, alternative treatments among the public. Due to such demand, and the positive results coming from research, hundreds of hospitals across the USA are supplementing their current modalities with Eastern medicine. There are also more institutions getting on board with integrative medicine, such as Harvard, Duke, Stanford, and the Mayo Clinic. You can now find therapies like acupuncture, massage therapy, and herbal medicine in many hospitals across the nation.

The interest caused Congress to establish an Office of Alternative Medicine within the National Institutes of Health in the early 1990’s. Today, this is called the National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) that researches everything from Ayurveda and acupuncture, to homeopathy and energy healing. One thing is for sure: There is a definite need for Eastern Medicine in American hospitals. With more than 100 million Americans suffering from chronic pain, pain pills being very addictive, and the opioid epidemic, alternative forms of treatment are necessary. Not to mention non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) drugs like ibuprofen and aspirin taken frequently can cause serious gastrointestinal problems.

What if each hospital could embrace and integrate Eastern Medicine alongside traditional medicine? Think of the positive results! What if every patient that stepped into the doctor’s office or hospital left with a comprehensive assessment that leaves them with a detailed six to 12-month health plan that included holistic things like massages, acupuncture, meditation, yoga, nutrition counseling, exercise regimen, energy healing, and so on? What if every effort was made to get each person’s mind and body back to its natural state of equilibrium? This is what Americans desire – Eastern Medicine in USA hospitals. When 50 percent of the population is dealing with at least one chronic disease, and the opioid epidemic getting worse, it’s essential to have Eastern Medicine available to each patient, helping them mind, body, and soul. This ought to be the American way.