As a biochemist doctors who have been working for years side by side with physicians toward the same goal - to protect and cure patients of diseases. During my training program I have very basic knowledge of medicine, but I've never understood why highly trained medical professionals were never taught anything about self-healing and natural healing ability of human beings. I wondered why they were so uncomfortable with alternatives (traditional) therapies and spirituality. Where are all the free thinkers in modern medicine that have the power to draw attention to alternative therapies? My next question was, is that modern medicine neglect our natural mind-body? I hope not. While integrative medicine is gaining recognition by the medical establishment, the pace is too slow. At the end of their training, many doctors believe that compassion and the spirit that drew them to medicine has been lost. Why is that?

To better understand the terms used in this article, I would give some definitions:

Modern medicine, also known as Western, regular or conventional medicine focuses primarily on the physical side of the body for treatment. Another name for modern medicine is allopathic medicine. Alternative medicine, known as traditional or natural medicine, is a general term given to the wide range of therapies, most of which are over 100 years old. Alternative medicine takes a holistic approach, ie it is not only the physical body but also thinks that the mind and spirit. It defines health as a state of complete balance between mind, body and spirit.

Integrative Medicine combines Western and alternative approaches and supplements, but does not replace conventional therapy. Integrative Medicine does not reject conventional medicine nor uncritically accept alternative medicine.Today, doctors are more educated about alternative methods are still uncomfortable while practicing. A new approach to medicine requires a new approach to medical education. But this is changing because of the training programs recently introduced in Integrative Medicine. The world of modern Western medicine is changing every day for the better, and that's good for patients.