Conventional vs. Self-healing medicine — SWOT analysis.

Conventional Medicine VS. Self-Healing Functional Medicine.

Category

Conventional Medicine

Self-Healing Medicine

Philosophical Aspects.

View of the human body.

It is seen as a machine – tissue, flesh & bones.

Seen as One Unified Entity.

Mind, Body & Spirit.

It is seen as Three Separate entities.

Mind, body, and spirit are reflections of each other.

The role of medicine.

To fight infection;

Combat diseases by suppressing symptoms.

Restores harmony, which makes symptoms disappear.

Diagnosis.

How is the diagnosis obtained?

After a long series of tests.

After hearing the patient's story and examining easy-to-evaluate signs and symptoms. 

Laboratory testing.

A wide range of tests, both invasive and non-invasive.

Basic lab testing.

Time spent with the patient.

It varies, but for non-invasive procedures, it usually takes minutes for each session.

It varies but often requires much longer sessions than conventional medicine.

Treatments.

The focus of treatment.

Organs/ Systems.

Restores blocked energy – Holistic.

Types of Treatments.

Invasive procedures;

The extensive use of pharmaceuticals.

Promotes Self-healing;

Uses herbal medicines.

Purpose of Treatment.

Only sick care.

Comprehensive healthcare.

Medical centers, therapists, supervision & control.

Medical centers.

Hospitals, institutes, health centers, laboratories.

Usually, there are small clinics, although there are departments in big health centers.

Therapists.

Licensed Medical Doctors and Nurses. 

Supervision & control.

Tight supervision and control.

Partial supervision and control.

Analysis of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats. (SWOT)

Category

Conventional Medicine

Self-Healing Medicine

Strengths

1. Covers all medical aspects.
2. Available all around the world.
3. Technologically advanced.
4. Sophisticated lab tests.
5. Highly skilled & trained professional staff.
6. It does not demand lifestyle changes.
7. Fast results with medications.
8. Tight supervision & control.

1. It deals with the causes and not the symptoms.
2. Holistic. All body is treated.
3. Long-term results.
4. Heals the body, mind & spirit to achieve balance.
5. Supports preventive medicine.
6. Uses mostly herbal medicine without addiction. 
7. Usually, there are fewer side effects.
8. It is generally cheaper than conventional medicine.

Weaknesses

1. It deals with the symptoms and not the causes.
2. Not holistic. Treats the symptomatic organ.
3. Looks at the body as flesh and bones only.
4. Not suitable for Chronic Diseases.
5. It does not support preventive medicine.
6. It makes patients drug-dependent for long periods.
7. It creates many side effects.
8. It is expensive if not appropriately insured.

1. Requires lifestyle changes.
2. Uses only basic technology — simple diagnostic tests.
3. It does not perform invasive treatments.
4. Treatment and recovery sometimes require long periods.
5. Therapists and clinics are not always licensed.
6. Poor regulation, supervision & control.
7. Lower availability.
8. Often not covered by health insurance.

Opportunities

1. The simultaneous use of both medical approaches while creating synergy.
2. Better recovery in chronic diseases and others with no effective drug or invasive treatment.
3. New options for treating complex diseases such as cancer and autoimmune diseases.

1. The simultaneous use of both medical approaches while creating synergy.
2. It is an opportunity to eliminate the inferior image and enter the conventional medical establishment in an orderly and complete manner.
3. The use of advanced technology is essential in medicine advocating self-healing.

1. Chronic morbidity has already reached epidemic proportions without a good response from conventional medicine.
2. The modern way of life presents conventional medicine with enormous challenges that are difficult to expect today.

1. There are many healing techniques without a unifying theory.
2. An inferior image almost always causes patients to try conventional medicine first.
3. Self-healing medicine cannot perform comprehensive tests or invasive procedures that are sometimes necessities of reality and can not provide a complete solution.