Describe nontraditional health care practices in different cultures. Compare at least three cultures.

Research different popular nontraditional health care practices. Write a 1,000-1,200-word exploring nontraditional health care practices and include the following:

1-Describe nontraditional health care practices in different cultures. Compare at least three cultures.

2-Explain the importance of these practices in providing holistic and quality health care.

3-Identify the nontraditional health care options in your areas, and identify the number of people choosing to use them over traditional medical practices. Propose reasons why the number of people using nontraditional health care options is rising.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

In my topic “Traditional and Non-Traditional Medicine,” I propose to examine similarities and differences between “traditional” and “non-traditional” medicine as well as the potential integration of the two. I hope to do this by studying the history of medicine, different medical practices used around the world, ways science has affected these practices, and the sociocultural aspects surrounding them. The term “traditional medicine” for my purposes refers to Western medicine we in the United States are more familiar with. The term “non-traditional” medicine for my studies may be better known as complementary and alternative medicine which includes “traditional” Chinese medicine, naturopathic medicine, mind-body medicine, osteopathy, ayurvedic medicine, etc. Scientific evidence has demonstrated the efficacy of many alternative practices including acupuncture for pain treatment, nutritional therapy for many chronic diseases, meditation for cancer treatment, Chinese herbs for inflammation, and massage therapy for improving the immune system and decreasing blood pressure. Despite research supporting many “non-traditional” practices, many people familiar only with Western medicine believe that most if not all alternative methods are useless and ineffective in a technologically and scientifically advanced society. I believe there is not necessarily one right way to practice medicine: a medical system employing both “traditional” and “non-traditional” medicine could potentially be better than practicing just one of the two. I want to broaden my knowledge about both “traditional” and “non-traditional” medicine to gain understanding of their methodology, history, and sociocultural background. I want to understand why and how the different medical systems in the world have developed into what they have become today. Then I want to examine weaknesses in each medical system that could be potentially improved upon by the incorporation of some aspect from the other. I have particular interest in the question of whether or not various aspects from different styles of medicine could be integrated to create better treatment and preventative options. To address all parts of this question, I feel it is necessary to understand both “traditional” and “non-traditional” medicine from cultural and scientific perspectives. Therefore my curriculum will draw on different departments including Sociology, History, Asian Studies, Biology, Pharmacy, and Chemistry