What happens when we need medical treatment? In the past, some people went to a clinic or hospital to see a medical doctor. Other people trusted traditions and chose treatments such as herbal medicine or acupuncture. These two types of medicine—one modern and Western and the other ancient and Eastern—used to have nothing to do with each other.
In recent years, however, people around the world have begun to recognize and accept both modern medical science and more traditional therapies. This new kind of medicine can be called integrative (综合的)medicine or complementary medicine. Some of the principles of this type of medicine include preventing illness by helping people stay healthy and integrating different types of therapies according to the needs of each patient.
One health maintenance organization (HMO) in Madison, Wisconsin, has opened its Complementary Medicine and Wellness Center. At the center, HMO members are offered a variety of services. If you are suffering from a sore back, try some massage treatments to relax your muscles. If you have allergies or asthma, you could try homeopathy. And if you just want to improve your strength and focus your mind, try a tai chi or yoga class.
Patients who use these complementary medicine services appreciate having an alternative to surgery or to drugs and their side effects. They also enjoy activities and therapies that make them feel better even if they’re not sick. And from the financial point of view of the HMO, preventing illness whenever possible is much less expensive than a hospital stay. According to Dr. Andrew Weil, founder of the Program in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona, integrative medicine combines the best parts of Western medicine with complementary therapies such as acupuncture and nutrition.
【小题1】Why does the author mention “preventing illness by helping people stay healthy” in the second paragraph?| A．to give readers advice about staying healthy |
| B．to inform readers about a principle of integrative medicine |
| C．to recommend modern medicine rather than traditional therapies |
| D．to explain why most people don’t believe in holistic or integrative medicine |
| A．At the center, HMO members are offered a variety of services. |
| B．If you are suffering from a sore back, try some massage treatments. |
| C．If you have allergies or asthma, you could try homeopathy. |
| D．If you just want to improve your strength and focus your mind, try a tai chi or yoga class. |
| A．It costs less than medical care in hospitals. |
| B．It helps patients feel healthier even when they’re not sick. |
| C．Doctors can enjoy more relaxing activities. |
| D．Patients can choose between complementary medicine and drugs or surgery. |
| A．Western Medicine | B．Herbal Medicine |
| C．Advances in Medical Technology | D．Combining New and Old Medicine |
