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The Medical Paradigm(s)

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Modern medicine is built around the concept that was developed during the last century for treating acute illness. This paradigm (theoretical framework) evolved after the invention of penicillin (and as a product of the industrial revolution) and grew exponentially into a giant industry which has been remarkably successful (and often miraculous). The fundamental principle which drives this paradigm is that acute body illness can be cured with a medicine, procedure (surgery, radiation, or physical manipulation). This paradigm applies to standard medicine and also to many of the "alternative/complementary" approaches such as chiropractic care, massage or even acupuncture. You come in injured, sick or wounded (body) and we (the medical industrial complex) can fix you.

Great. Spectacular. God are we lucky to be alive during this time of remarkable capacity. It is truly awesome how widespread and disseminated the knowledge and power of this paradigm is in a remarkably short period of time (about 70-80 years).

The challenge now is to continue to develop, disseminate and perfect this framework for the treatment of acute body disability while recognizing that this paradigm is NOT the answer for chronic suffering and illness. The modern medical machine wants so much to use its miraculous tools to fix this entirely different entity. However, chronic illness is not anything like acute illness. They are completely different animals. The miracles of modern medicine do not cure, fix or even truly address the challenges of chronic disease.

This is where a new paradigm has to evolve. Of course, a new paradigm is necessary; the problem is completely different. We have to start from scratch and first define this other entity (chronic disease/suffering) and then build an entirely new paradigm to address it.

Comments

Michael McCafferty said…
It is very good to know the difference between acute and chronic disease; something I had not considered before your teaching me about this.

However, doesn't current medical practice still try to address chronic illness/pain with the standard tools of the trade (pills, surgery, etc)?

Or, does the medical doctor, who, upon recognizing a chronic condition simply say "Modern medicine can not help you. Go home and continue to suffer." ?
October 5, 2011 at 4:19 PM
Judy said…
I enjoyed this post so much that I linked to it in my post today.

http://lapazconvos.blogspot.com/2011/12/chronic-versus-acute-illness.html

Judy
December 4, 2011 at 9:08 PM
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