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The term “allopathy” was coined by the founder of homeopathy to describe conventional medicine’s harsh treatments. Today, many physicians reject the term, as modern medicine focuses on overall well-being, not just symptom relief. Alternative practitioners sometimes use the term pejoratively.
The term “allopathy” is used by some alternative practitioners to describe people who practice conventional or “Western” medicine. Because this word was essentially developed as an epithet to insult traditional doctors, it’s rare to see regular doctors calling themselves allopaths. Some physicians also reject the use of the term because they feel it is no longer an adequate characterization of the practice of medicine.
Samuel Hahemann, the founder of homeopathy, coined the term “allopathy”. It comes from Greek roots and roughly translates as “opposite suffering.” He used the word to describe the often harsh and sometimes futile treatments employed by conventional doctors in the 19th century. Many practitioners relied on a theory of “humors” that dated back to the ancient Greeks and believed that medical conditions were characterized by an excess or deficit of a particular humor. Bloodletting, cupping, and a variety of other techniques were used to restore balance to the humours, and Hahemann believed these practices were barbaric.
Hahemann also wanted to clearly distinguish homeopathy from more traditional medical practice. He argued that allopathy involved treating the symptoms of the disease, rather than the underlying cause of the condition. The goal of allopathic treatment was to produce effects that counteract the symptoms, but not necessarily get to the root of the problem. Homeopathy, on the other hand, was a treatment tailored to the individual patient, with a focus on the whole body, rather than abstract symptoms.
While the practice of conventional medicine may have once merited the label allopathy, many physicians believe that is no longer the case. Osteopathic physicians, for example, practice a whole-body approach to medicine, and their credentials are nearly identical to those of regular physicians. Many physicians also recognize the importance of looking at the whole body when assessing a patient’s health and needs, and modern medical treatment focuses on overall well-being, not just a responsive response to disease symptoms.
The pejorative implications of this term are sometimes lost on the people who use it. Some alternative practitioners refer to allopathy in scathing tones when talking to clients, to emphasize the value of the treatments they offer. Other alternative medicine practitioners eschew the term, however, recognizing that there are many approaches to medicine and some even work closely with conventional practitioners. A chiropractor, for example, might work with a spine specialist to treat and prevent back injuries.
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