Contemporary Healthcare: Biomedical and Allopathic

Philosophically, the predominant goal of contemporary healthcare is to eliminate troublesome symptoms or cure an illness (or manage its effects). Prevention agendas tend to focus on early screening (that is, secondary prevention) and wellness efforts center on the physical body.

In contrast, the purpose of most complementary therapies and healing practices is to help maintain wellness and, when necessary, facilitate the body's own healing responses to restore balance and harmony.

Because the biomedical and allopathic model is dominant in the U.S. healthcare system, it is often referred to as mainstream or conventional. Such terms are acceptable only when understood in the ever-changing context of the predominant cultural and economic structure.