Heroic medicine is medicine applied to either save a person's life, or their body's functioning, from imminent threat, and involves the application of substances or procedures that have a strong effect on the body. Examples include: heart surgery, the use of powerful antibiotics, the application of trauma-based medicine, etc.
Supportive medicine is the use of substances and procedures that support the body's own innate healing capacities. Examples include: nutritive medicine, dietary changes, relaxation, herbal medicine, exercise, psychological techniques such as meditation, etc.
Supportive medicine is best applied when there is no need for any heroic procedure to save a person's life or limb, or after such procedures are carried out, whereas heroic medicine is applied when dramatic action is needed.
Comments
Post a Comment