Aboriginal Western Medicine

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Aboriginal and Western Medicine Medicine is used in many different forms all around the world. Aboriginal traditional medicine and healing focuses on the balance between spiritual, mental, emotional and physical well-being (Lilley, Harrington, & Snyder, 2011; Robbins & Dewar, 2011). It is considered a holistic approach as it intertwines many different aspects of health (Robbins & Dewar, 2011). The community plays a vital role in the healing process and is highly valued (Shaw, 2014). Western medicine is based on dividing the body and mind and driven by the treatment of an illness or disease (The Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada, n.d.) Doctors and health care professionals use pharmaceutical drugs, surgery and radiation to directly…show more content…
The medicine wheel is an important aspect in Aboriginal healing. It revolves around the number four, which is considered sacred (Canadian Cancer Society, 2015). The use of the medicine wheel is to bring people back to a balance, without this balance it is believed people can act out with violence, rage, anger and in turn head down a destructive path (Mawhiney & Nabigon, 2011). The medicine wheel represents spiritual, mental, emotional and physical elements of a person. The four directions north, east, south, west and the seasons spring, summer, fall and winter. The four elements, fire, earth, wind and water are also represented on the medicine wheel. As well as the stages of life, which include childhood, youth, adulthood and elderhood. (Canadian Cancer Society, 2015; Uottawa, 2009). The medicine wheel has different traditions within each group of Aboriginals, but the circle shape signifies a healing circle, which helps to bring people together within their community and offers support for one another (Canadian Cancer Society,…show more content…
Where as interactions between pharmaceutical drugs are well documented (Canadian Cancer Society, 2015). In more recent years there has been a shift to incorporate more herbal medicines into the western medical practice (Government of Canada, 2013). This change started because the cost of pharmaceutical drugs is continually increasing and herbs are a less expensive alternative. Herbal medicines are being used as an alternative to drug resistant pathogens and treatment for illnesses that previously had no treatment (Government of Canada, 2013). Cultural sensitivity and competence are becoming more recognized within the western medical practice, allowing alternative medicine to become more mainstream (Government of Canada,

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