Why Western Medicine Skepticism Permanently Holds Tones of Suspicion Over Eastern Cures

Western medicine, built upon a foundation of rigorous scientific inquiry and evidence-based practices, often casts a skeptical eye on Eastern medicine. This skepticism is rooted in the fact that traditional Eastern cures often lack the empirical validation that Western counterparts have experienced. In a world where evidence is king, why does Western medicine hold such a suspicion towards these practices?

Lack of Clinical Evidence

A critical reason for Western medicine's reluctance to embrace Eastern cures lies in the absence of clinical studies. Unlike Western medicine, which is underpinned by robust clinical trials, Eastern practices often fall short of this rigorous testing. For example, treatments like acupuncture, herbal remedies, and homeopathy may show positive results in anecdotal evidence, but they fail to provide substantial evidence for their efficacy through controlled, double-blind, and randomized clinical trials.

Without such evidence, these practices cannot be fully trusted. This is why many Eastern treatments are considered quasi-scientific or even pseudoscientific in Western circles. As Dr. Martin Schneider aptly points out, the core of Western medicine lies in proven efficacy. This means that for a pharmaceutical or medical treatment to be deemed credible, it must demonstrate a significant improvement over a placebo in multiple clinical trials.

Pharmaceutical Testing Standards

Western medicine’s approach to pharmaceutical testing is systematic and thorough. Compounds must go through a rigorous testing process, which typically involves four stages. The drug first undergoes in vitro and in vivo (animal model) testing to ensure safety and efficacy. After these initial stages, the drug is then tested on human subjects to record epidemiological data, further validating its safety and effectiveness.

This process ensures that only proven and safe drugs are released to the public. For instance, the germ theory, which applies to infectious diseases, has been so thoroughly tested and proven. The theory states that many illnesses are caused by microorganisms, and targeting these organisms with drugs, such as penicillin, has been proven to be more effective than a placebo.

Standardization and Variability in Eastern Medicine

One of the primary challenges with Eastern medicine is a lack of standardization. Herbs, traditional formulations, and other Eastern cures often contain varying levels of active principles. Without consistent dosing and composition, it's difficult to ensure that a treatment will work the same way for every individual. This variability reduces the reliability of these remedies, making it harder to replicate the results observed in individual cases.

For instance, a double-blind, randomized clinical trial comparing the efficacy of an Eastern herbal remedy against a placebo might show positive results in a group of participants. However, the same remedy might not show the same efficacy when tested again due to variations in the composition of the remedy. This lack of consistency is a significant hurdle in gaining the trust of Western medical practitioners.

Additional Examples of Skeptical Practices

Beyond Eastern practices, there are other alternative treatments that Western medicine is similarly skeptical about. For example, chelation therapy, which involves the removal of heavy metals from the body, has been shown to be ineffective and even harmful in some cases. Similarly, crystal therapy, which involves placing crystals on the body, and reiki, a form of energy healing, have been found to lack scientific backing and even pose risks to patients.

These examples highlight the critical importance of empirical evidence in the medical field. Western medicine places a premium on reproducibility and standardized treatment protocols, which is why treatments that fail to meet these standards are met with suspicion.

While it might be tempting to pooh-pooh the skepticism of Western medicine, it is founded on a series of well-established principles and scientific methods that ensure public health and safety. In the ongoing discussion about the integration of Eastern medicine into mainstream healthcare, it is important to recognize the need for evidence-based practices and the value of rigorous scientific scrutiny.