Treating The Elderly With Chinese Medicine

At face value, the question of whether treating the elderly with Chinese medicine is a good idea or not is odd, especially considering that for thousands of years the elderly, the middle aged, the young, and the very young were treated and treated themselves with just the herbs and diet that are available today. Cures, pain relief, and for the most part an increase in the overall wellbeing of the person has been tested, documented, and repeated time and again for hundreds of years, yet at this point in time Westerners are unsure whether to proceed in this fashion.

The arguments for the use of Chinese medicine are overwhelming:

* The holistic approach which treats the human body as a whole rather than simply separating an affected limb or organ is translated into an increase in health, wellbeing, and vigor that will be felt throughout the body rather than just being limited to the affected area of the body.

* Time tested use of herbs will decrease or completely eliminate the need for potentially harmful medications which are known to have side effects which are frequently as bad as, if not worse, than the condition they are curing.

* Several ailments currently plaguing the elderly generation – arthritis, diabetes, stomach ulcers – may be successfully treated with the help of naturally occurring herbs either by themselves or in combination with others.

* Last but not least, when considering the rising cost of medicines when compared to the relatively stable low costs of herbs, the latter is a better choice for most anyone on a fixed budget.

Yet just as persuasive as the arguments in favor of treating the elderly with Chinese medicine may be, there are detractors who are quick to point out that while it is true that the use of herbs has been time tested, the fact that many of those using them were not exposed to the same ailments and conditions today’s elderly population is exposed to makes sense as well. Add to this the fact that viruses have mutated significantly and in some cases come on a lot stronger than they may have in times past in a different part of the world, and those who argue against the use of Chinese medicine as a sole approach for the average elderly patient have a persuasive argument.

In addition to the foregoing, the fact that several herbs are known to negatively interact with medications and other treatments currently already used is another good reason to tread lightly and carefully. Thus, at this point in time there is a movement that acknowledges the wisdom of Chinese medicine but at the same time also gives a nod to the efficacy of Western medicine. Combining the two whenever possible is therefore considered the best possible solution for everyone involved. When done carefully, this may result in a healthier lifestyle and nutrition, a lessening of duration of time that medications need to be taken, and also an active involvement of the elderly person her- or himself in getting and staying healthy.

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