“There is no separation of mind, body and emotions in maintaining
health.”
Gulnara K. LaFrance
| West | East |
|---|---|
| System based on disease care | System based on health care |
| Emphasis is placed on treating disease, not on prevention | Emphasis is placed on maintaining health and the prevention of disease |
| Symptoms are usually treated and suppressed | Symptoms seen as signs of an underlying imbalance |
| Doctor-patient relationship isn’t emphasized | Practitioner-patient relationship is integral to the healing process |
| Subjective information isn’t regarded as significant | Both objective and subjective information is embraced; patient’s feelings and intuition are acknowledged |
| No treatments to stimulate the body’s own healing | Treatments stimulate the body’s healing system |
| Emphasis on the treatment of the endstages of diseases |
Problems are diagnosed and treated before they become “diseased” |
| The body is seen as distinct, separate parts |
The patient is viewed as a whole person |
| The mind and body are viewed as separate; emotionand
spirit are ignored. |
The mind, body, emotions and spirit are seen as interrelated |
| People are considered separate from nature | The health of people and their environment are interconnected |