The 19th century German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer stated: "Every man takes the limits of his own vision for the limits of the world." The purpose of this discussion is to provide an overview on why alternative medicine provides a different "vision for the limits of the world," and by so doing, expands our healing spectrum.

Given the alternative-medicine emphasis, it is important to note that professionally I am a product of the mainstream biomedical establishment. For example, my doctorate is in biochemistry and molecular biology; and I was a FDA regulatory official, a National Institutes of Health (NIH) division director, and director, Paralyzed Veterans of America’s (PVA) Spinal Cord Research and Education Foundations.

As I began to review and study divergent healing concepts as a result of PVA funding, my strongly held beliefs on the supremacy of modern medical and scientific thinking began to crumble, and, as it did, I began to see a world of opportunity beyond the banks of the mainstream.

In spite of the focus on alternative medicine, this talk does not try to negate modern medicine’s many valuable contributions, which cumulatively have greatly extended the life expectancy of individuals with disabilities. Most healing traditions have something valuable to offer yet, at the same time, have limitations in scope. Modern medicine emphasizes important pharmaceutical and surgical approaches; however, other healing traditions stress often equally valid, but different therapies that medicine has traditionally ignored (for example, until recently, nutrition).  It is as if medicine looks at the world through red-tinted lenses, and other disciplines green, blue, or yellow lenses. Unless we work together more in unity than opposition, each discipline’s vision will remain inherently limited. However, if we open-mindedly accommodate divergent views of what is possible, we create an expanded healing spectrum that will benefit all.

Written by Laurance Johnston, Ph.D.