The Spiritual Life of a Medical Student

I was reminded after my last post that allopathic medicine has quite a bit to offer patients.  I do believe that, especially in the case of emergency situations.  Today I saw a woman prepared to be air lifted to Bangor from Waterville because she had a rupture thoracic aortic aneurysm with right hemothorax.  It was an intense experience and I was the official glove provider.    My emphasis on this blog is in regards to all that allopathic medicine cannot do or does not understand: assisting the body heal a diabetic foot ulcer by stimulating circulation or alleviating an asthma attack by putting your hands on the patient’s ribs.  Natural, common sense approaches to patient care.  I’m learning about fluid management, electrolyte disturbances, surgical patient perioperative care, which is useful.  The constant question in the back of my mind is how many of these procedures are actually preventable given appropriate Osteopathic management?  Breast biopsies, cyst/abscess removals, I even wonder about appendectomies.  The key word here is WONDER.  Until I get significant experience, I plan to practice as expected.  My constant curiosity, analytical ability and faith in the body to heal itself given the right circumstances will continue to gnaw at the back of my mind.