Returning to a scientific approach to medicine

Research in medicine after the 1950’s veered away from the usual practices in scientific research. Part of this was caused by the fact that the variability in human beings appeared to demand a “unique-to-medicine” statistical approach to science. The single (locally repeatable) new result, often unpredictable by contemporary theory, remains the basis of virtually all science, in say, modern chemistry and physics, but it has been spurned by medical research as representing “single-case studies.” With the tidal wave of integrative medicinal practice sweeping the nation, it is clear that the importance of interesting, paradigm-challenging data will again provide a re-birth of really new science of medicine and of healing. Much of this will be data-based single case studies. These theories will be illustrated with examples of the most interesting, paradigm-breaking basic science research in acupuncture, qigong, and other practices.