» Homeopathy and Integrative Medicine
Dr. Edwards is a graduate of the British Institute of Homeopathy and is licensed by the Nevada State Board of Homeopathic Medical Examiners. In addition, all staff of Bio Health Center are certified as Advanced Practitioners of Homeopathy (AHP) or certified as Homeopathic Assistants (HA) by the Nevada State Board of Homeopathic Medical Examiners.
INTRODUCTION
"The number of rational hypotheses
that can explain any given phenomenon is infinite."
-Robert Pirsig; Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Homeopathic Integrative medicine is based on the integration of Homeopathy and other methods of Traditional or "Natural" medicine with the principles of modern medical science. It represents a unique intellectual synthesis between the concepts of molecular biology, biochemistry, toxicology and pathophysiology with the essence of non-toxic integrative Natural Biological Therapies.
HOMEOPATHY
"Great spirits have always encountered
violent opposition from mediocre minds."
-Albert Einstein
Despite its success in treating disease
and suffering without toxic side effects, Homeopathy has been maligned
and vilified by its detractors from the time Hahnemann coined the term
200 years ago.6 Dr. Samuel Hahnemann is considered to be the
father of homeopathy, although the basic principles of "homeopathic"
prescribing historically appeared before Hahnemann, as found in the medical
writings of such figures as Hippocrates, Galen, Paracelsus and others.
It was Hahnemann who eventually organized these principles into a coherent
scientific thesis in his great work the Organon of Medicine.5
These principles include prescribing based on the totality of symptoms,
the law of similars ("Similia Similibus Curentur"), the use
of the minimum dose, dynamization or potentization of the remedy and testing
of remedies on healthy individuals called provers. Several of these principles
have actually been incorporated into the modern paradigm of "scientific"
medicine. For example, the use of "similar" medicines in minimum
dose is the basis of the "science" of allergy desensitization
and the modern technologic concept of vaccination. The scientific basis
of employing low doses of a substance to provoke an opposite physiologic
response as that produced from the use of high doses has been repeatedly
validated in the field of toxicology. The science of Hormesis (Arndt-Schulz
Law) states that small doses stimulate and large doses inhibit physiologic
function.7,8 It is also well recognized
in contemporary pharmacology that many pharmaceutical drugs may have different
and even contradictory effects at different concentrations.9
This paradox of opposite clinical effect at different doses has also been
shown for many vasoactive substances and neurotransmitters.
Perhaps the most controversial aspect
of Hahnemann's concepts is that of potentization. Hahnemann discovered
that the process of potentization or dynamization increased the healing
power of the remedy while reducing its toxic side effects. The process
of potentization or dynamization involves the serial dilution and succusion
(violent shaking) of the remedial substance during preparation. From the
perspective of reductionist science and physical chemistry this process
appears to be illogical at best and nonsensical at worst. This criticism
seemed especially true for dilutions beyond the 24X (decimal) or 12C (centesimal)
concentration (1x10-24), since these
dilutions are clearly beyond Avogadro's number and statistically contain
no atoms or molecules of the original substance. However, a number of
events have emerged in recent years that appear to seriously undermine
the validity of this criticism. Included among these are the facts that
laboratory evidence of the activity of extreme dilutions has been published
in internationally recognized journals,10-13
theories about how this phenomenon could occur are being seriously proposed14-15
and double-blind, controlled clinical studies, the "gold standard"
of statistical "scientific" pharmaceutical medicine, have been
published in a major international medical journal clearly demonstrating
that dilutions beyond Avogadro's number are clinically active.16
In addition, recent advances in the sciences of mathematics (non-linear
dynamics) and physics (quantum mechanics) have provided a rational basis
for this phenomenon. Given the high quality and reproducibility of this
evidence, anyone truly familiar with the data can no longer rationally
or logically reject the idea that Homeopathic remedies diluted beyond
Avogadro's limit are clinically active. The key to this phenomenon seems
to involve the unusual property of Water as a "universal
solvent."
Homeopathy is traditionally explained
using the literary device of metaphor. A similar method is used in the
allopathic model, such as the heart as a pump, the nerve as an electric
cable or the eye as a camera.17 Thus,
homeopathic remedies can be described as "virtual medicines",
based on the definition used in particle physics of a virtual particle:
something that has physical effect, but no physical existence.
According to accepted contemporary scientific theory, however, the concepts
of infinitesimal dose, dynamization and the law of similars make no "technological
sense". As stated in an editorial accompanying a paper published
in the Lancet that demonstrated in double-blind, controlled fashion that
Homeopathic therapy was effective, Hahnemann's theories are "inherently
implausible," despite the fact that the treatment worked! Within
this statement one can clearly observe that intrinsic to the culture of
modern technology and statistical science are hidden biases and values
that very effectively create a collective cognitive illusion about the
difference between what is measurable and what is real.18
One of the major reasons for the emergence of this hidden bias is the
fact that the concept of "energy" is repeatedly employed in
describing how Homeopathic remedies do their work. The problem with the
energy concept, however, is that no one has ever demonstrated the existence
of this "energy" in an objective fashion.
In fact, the "energy" postulated
to be responsible for the clinical effect of a homeopathic remedy may
not exist at all. To understand the basis for this assertion one must
return to the fundamental "mantra" of modern particle physics
and quantum theory, the equation E=MC2.
This equation describes the underlying transformation of energy and matter
that characterizes the scientifically accepted mathematical basis of physical
reality. There are clearly three variables involved in the equation: energy,
matter and C2. The concepts of energy
and matter have occupied the attention of scientists since this equation
was first proposed. Until recently, the significance of C2
seems to have been overlooked, however. If C represents the speed of light
in a vacuum, what does C2 actually represent?
It is becoming apparent that the mathematical manipulation of the term
C represented in the "squaring process" has deeper philosophical
implications then simply creating a "mathematical constant".
There are no "squared" numbers in Nature. In the rapidly developing
age of information this term is finally being recognized for what it actually
represents. Rather than being a simple "passive mathematical constant",
C2 can also be interpreted as representing
intelligent activity... or, put in a more general sense, "information."
Implicit within the concept of information
is the deeper concept of consciousness. In other words, C2
is actually the result of consciousness interacting with or manipulating
a physical constant. Interestingly, the term information is derived from
the latin informare, meaning: to give material form
to. In other words, the currently accepted mathematical representation
of physical reality includes energy, matter and information/consciousness.
Thus, information can be viewed as an active force intimately involved
in the manifestation of physical reality. Stated a different way,
information is a specific way of representing consciousness interacting
with physical reality, either as an information "organizing"
or "deciphering" entity. Understood in this way, the action
of the homeopathic remedy consists of a dynamic analogy between bits of
information essential for the living system to reestablish optimal homeostasis.
The basis for such a theory has already been proposed.14,15,19-26
In addition, the scientific evidence that "digitalized
information" can be stored in water and transferred to a computer
disc in ditalized form has been presented and published.22-26
Thus, the old Newtonian view of healing is beginning to go the way of
the Flat Earth Society, and yet the conventional wisdom of technologic
medicine is still a Newtonian one. Technologic medicine now finds itself
at a watershed time, a time of paradigm shift when the collective professional
consciousness must move from one set of truths or realities to another.
-Paul Davies; the Mind of God
In past decades the trend in European countries has been towards the integration of scientific and traditional or natural forms of medical care. Many terms have been applied to this form of practice. Biological Medicine seems to have emerged as the consensus term to describe this advanced form of primary care medical practice in European countries. Integrative Biological Medicine has been defined as "the art and science of healing in which the therapeutic measures are oriented to the unique life stresses and the healing methods are designed for the capability of the individual patient to regulate, regenerate, adapt and self-heal."1,2 The decade of the 90's has witnessed a growing interest in the United States in a similar trend. The term "Integrative Medicine" seems to be preferred in the U.S. In essence, Biological-Integrative primary medical care involves the combination of statistical scientific medicine with one or more forms of medical or health care that ordinarily are not considered "scientific" in statistical terms. A physician or other health professional skilled in the primary care practice of Biological-Integrative Medicine possesses skill and training in a number of health and medical care systems in addition to the modern statistical methods of pharmaceutical drugs and surgery. Included among these traditional forms of health and medical care are acupuncture, homeopathy, homotoxicology, anthroposophical therapy, manipulative therapies, herbal/phyto therapy, neural therapy, bath therapy, sauna therapy, biocybernetics, magnetic therapy, low level laser therapy, meditation, chi kung, hypnosis and others.
Modern scientific or technological medicine is based on the concept of statistical significance. In essence, statistical medical science is based on a mathematical modeling of reality that often does not apply to the individual patient when one is attempting to relieve suffering and/or promote individual healing. It is not commonly understood that statistics is just one perspective of reality. Many traditional healing methods are also based on principles other then classic cellular anatomy, biochemistry and/or physiology. For example, the concept of "liver disease" in statistical medicine usually involves evidence of disturbed anatomy or biochemical function as indicated by biopsy evidence of disturbed cellular structure, "increased" blood liver enzymes or bile pigment. In the absence of these structural or statistical biochemical markers there is said to be no "scientific evidence" of liver disease. However, there are additional traditional clinical perspectives that have proven themselves useful from an individual clinical viewpoint. For example, the concept of "liver disease" in Chinese medicine involves an "informational or imaginal" approach that defines several "functions" of liver in energetic terms. These include the organ itself, as noted through the function of its corresponding sense organ (eye), blood pressure (liver wind), fingernails, etc. In addition, there is the linear energetic trajectories of the various branches of the liver acupuncture meridian or vessel that exert influence over specific regions of the body that they cross during their appointed "orbit". Finally, there is an archetypal pattern associated with the "element or phase" connected with liver (wood) that represents a nonlinear alchemical approach to specific organ and organ pair function. Diagnosis here would include analysis of the patients color affinity, tonal quality of the voice, flavor preference, emotional profile (anger), etc.3 Which of these approaches (organ, linear-energetic or archetypal) would actually be used to treat an individual patient would be based on the specific presentation at the time the patient was seen and the level of skill and understanding possessed by the practitioner.
The clinical science of Homeopathy is also based on an informational/imaginal rather than statistical or reductionist reality. Similar to acupuncture in its logic, Homeopathy follows a Sinological (Chinese) sense of wholistic order rather then the Helenic (Greek) sense of reductionist logic. Recent advances in the fields of physics, mathematics and humoral medicine have begun to create a very powerful scientific, intellectual and philosophical basis for understanding the fundament action of many forms of traditional medicine, including Homeopathy. The newer concepts of informative therapeutics, humoral medicine and matrix regulation therapy are revolutionizing our understanding of health and disease.4 The intellectual shift from matter through energy and finally to information as fundamental generative forces of the universe is creating a paradigm shift on a scale seldom witnessed in the history of medical art and science. The medicine of the future will undoubtedly include many previously rejected concepts found within the world's traditional forms of medical, health and wellness care.
- Schmid, F. Biological Medicine (English Edition). Aurelia Verlag, Baden-Baden. 1991.
- Edwards, DA. Theory and Practice of Biological Medicine. International Biomedical Research Institute, Reno, NV 1995.
- Helms, JM. Acupuncture Energetics A Clinical Approach for Physicians. Medical Acupuncture Publishers, Berkeley, California. 1995.
- Pischinger A. Matrix and Matrix Regulation Basis for a Holistic Theory in Medicine (English Edition). Haug International, Brussels. 1991.
- Hahnemann S. Organon of Medicine 6th Edition. J.P. Tarcher, Los Angeles, 1982.
- Rothouse H. History of Homeopathy Reveals Discipline's Excellence. Alternative and Complementary Therapies 1977(June):223-227.
- Oberbaum M and Cambar J. Hormesis: Dose Dependent Reversal Effects of Low and Very Low Doses. In: Endler PC and Schulte J, eds Ultra High Dilution. Physiology and Physics. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers;1994:5-19.
- Van Wijk R, Welters M Souren JA, et al. Serum Stimulated Cell Cycle Progression and Stress Protein Synthesis in C3H10T1/2 Fibroblasts Treated With Sodium Arsenite. J Cell Physiol. 1993;155:265-272.
- Doutremepuich C, Aguejouf O, Pintigny D, et al. Thrombogenic Properties of Ultra-Low-Doses of Acetylsalicylic Acid in a Vessel Model of Laser-Induced Thrombus Formation. Thromb Res. 1994;76:225-229.
- Benveniste J, et al. Human Basophilic Degranulation Triggered by Very Dilute Anti-Serum Against IgE. Nature 1988;33:816-818.
- Hadji L, Arnoux B, Benveniste J. Effect of Dilute Histamine on Coronary Flow of Guinea-pig Isolated Heart: Inhibition by a Magnetic Field. FASEB J. 1992;7040 (abstract).
- Youbicier-Simo BJ, Boudard F, Mekaouche M, et al. Specific Abolition Reversal of Pituitary-Adrenal Activity and Control of the Humoral Immunity in Bursectomized Chickens Through Highly Dilute Bursin. Int J Immunopath Pharmacol. 1996;9:43-51.
- Endler PC, Pongratz W, Kastberger G, et al. The Effect of Highly Diluted Agitated Thyroxine on the Climbing Activity of Frogs. Vet Hum Toxicol. 1994;36:56-59.
- Horrigan B. Leanna Standish, From Neuroscience to Naturopathy. Alternative Therapies 1996;2:81-89.
- Bastide M and Lagashe A. A Communications Process: A New Paradigm Applied to High-Dilution Effects on the Living Body. Alternative Therapies 1997;3:35-39.
- Reilly D, Taylor MA, Beattie NCM, et al. Is Evidence For Homeopathy Reproducible? Lancet 1994;344:1601-1606.
- Leskowitz E. Metaphors in the Teaching of Holistic Medicine. Alternative Therapies 1997;3:112-111.
- Aronowitz RA. Pure or Impure Science? Annals Internal Med 1997;127:250-254.
- Bastide M and Lagache A. The Paradigm of Signifiers. Paris, France: Alpha Bleue; 1992.
- Bastide M. Basic Research on High Dilution Effects. In: Taddei C and Marotta P, eds. High Dilution Effects on Cells and Intergrated Systems. London, England: World Scientific Publishers;1997.
- Lagache A What is Information? In: Bastide M, ed. Signal and Images. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers;1997.
- Davenas E, et al. Effect On Mouse Peritoneal Macrophages of Orally Administered very High Dilutions of Silica. Eur J Pharmacol 1987;135:313.
- Davenas E, et al. Human Basophil Degranulation Triggered By very Dilute Antiserum Against IgE. Nature 1988;333:816.
- Aissa J, et al. Molecular Signaling At High Dilution Or By Means Of Electronic Circuitry. J of Immunology 1993;150:A146.
- Benveniste J, et al. Transatlantic tranfer of Digitalized Antigen Signal by Telephone Link. J Allergy Clin Immunology 1997;99:S175.
- Benveniste J, et al. The Molecular Signal Is Not Functional In The Absence Of "Informed" Water. FASEB Journal 1991;13:A163.
