Originally, Monastic Medicine was practised by the The Therapeutae (male, pl.) and Therapeutrides (female, pl.), according to the account in De Vita Contemplativa by the Jewish philosopher Philo of Alexandria (c. 20 BCE - 50 AD), known as the physicians of souls or servants of God, who were desert, religious communities.  They "professed an art of healing superior to that practiced in the cities" Philo notes. For centuries, scholars have known of the connection between the Therapeutae monasteries of Alexandria and the subsequent Christian monasteries in Egypt and ancient Palestine. Their name was derived from Greek, therapeutikos, from therapeutes, one who administers, from therapeuein, inclined to serve, administer treatment.  Therapeutic as a "the branch of medicine concerned with treatment of disease," was not used until 1541.

Historically, Monastic Medicine can be defined as: charitable medical services rendered to the poor using natural agents such as food, herbs, and water; and supernatural agents including spiritual counseling, prayer, divination, worship, and exorcism.

Monastic Medicine was the principle practice of the Knights Hospitaller, today the oldest, surviving medical charity on record. Most all ‘doctors of medicine,’ today, are unaware of the fact that the medical implication of these duties has been founded by at least three traditions:

• the Hippocratic tradition of competent medical craftsmanship,

• the Samaritan tradition of helping one's neighbor in all circumstances, and

• the Knights' Hospitaller tradition of noble service.

More recently, monastic medicine was the foundation of naturopathy beginning with:

• John Wesley, founder of the methodist church who advocated veganism, prudent life style, and electrotherapy.

• Father Sebastian Kneipp, who advocated hydrotherapy (water cure) and herbalism.

• Rev. Sylvester Graham, who advocated veganism, hygiene, and intestinal cleansing.

• Dr. Paul Wendel, who advocated naturopaths to be servants of God, nature, and man; and to understand that the beginning of Naturopathy must be traced back to the Bible to ascertain what God planned for us, when he created us from dust out of the earth.

• Johann Künzle, a Swiss herbalist who sought ways of maintaining health naturally so that modern medical interventions, such as surgery and drugs, would not be needed.

• Albert Schweitzer who considered his work as a medical missionary in Africa to be his response to Jesus' call to become "fishers of men". He was a Chevalier of the Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem.

This active, Medical Order is the last such organization, carrying on the work of monastic medicine, and we wish to have it preserved for the benefit of future generations as well as serve a lasting memory of a movement that contributed significantly to the Renaissance of today’s modern medicine. This heritage included languages, transcription, folk tales, ceremonies, etc. about traditional medicine, and all the medical and nursing skills that were handed down from generation to generation including surgery and ambulatory care. These traditions and practices reflect the spirit of members and communities of the Hospitallers from Europe to the Americas, to the Philippines. Yet this intangible heritage is at great risk as the natural and spiritual heritage must be preserved to the world for future posterity.

This course of study in monastic medicine is also designed to equip health professionals with the unique knowledge necessary to serve successfully in developing nations. The program is open to therapists, acupuncturists, nurses, physician assistants and all other health care providers.

 It is no secret that there is worldwide, growing disenchantment with regular, drug-based medical care. In spite of hundreds of medical schools, billion dollar technologies, thousands of modern hospitals, there remains a signficant number of people seeking alternatives. There are also millions of people who have little to no access to any medical care.

The alternative/complementary therapist, whether an acupuncturist, naturopath, chiropractor, pharmacist, or physical therapist, often finds oneself in primary care situations. They are faced with disorders that require a primary diagnosis, yet are unable to do so; or must rely on the diagnosis of a medic; and, may not be able to discern it as being correct or otherwise.

Monastic medicine relies upon a core set of knowledge and skills learned in the field, not just in a classroom. The purpose of the Monastic [Missionary] Residencies is to provide the student with the skills in combination with genuine academic foundations.

Sure.

1. A patient walks in complaining of 'ringing of the ears'. It is easy to call this tinnitus, but would you know how to rule out the following with similar symptoms? - Acoustic neuroma, Herpes Zoster of the geniculate ganglion; Hookworm (Ancylostomiasis) disease, Viral Labyrinthitis, Autoimmune vestibulitis, Iron deficiency anemia, Meniere's disease, or Beta-blocker or aspirin administration toxicity. Thus, an acupuncturist or chiropractor can start a course of treatment for 'tinnitus' but will yield no results until the iron deficiency is corrected; or until the symptoms of acoustic neuroma worsen into deafness and disturbances of the gait.

Remark: you can read about these in textbooks, but until you actually see a few cases and go through the differential diagnosis, you will really not know the embodiment of 'ringing in the ears.' What sets the stage is a course in pathology and pathoanatomy, followed by clinical medicine. [Acoustic Neuroma.mp3]

2. A patient presents a complaint of 'Carpal tunnel syndrome,' previously diagnosed and was recommended for surgery. The symptoms appear similar, but would you know how to confirm it with Phalen's or Tinnel's test? And rule out the differentials of Cervical herniated disk, Cervical radiculopathy of C5/6, Cervical rib syndrome, Epicondylitis or brachioradialis tendonitis, or Scalene anticus syndrome, Cervical Spondylosis, or Thoracic outlet syndrome? [Carpal_tunnel_diagnosis.mp3]

3. An elderly patient is presented to you who is falling, stumbling, and complains of positional vertigo. Would you know how to go about discerning the possiblities? - Aortic stenosis, Vertebrobasilar artery insufficiency, Parkinsonism-dementia complex, Orthostatic hypotension, Second degree heart block, or the more common Transient cerebral ischemia attacks? [Vertigo.vs.Dizziness.mp3]

4. A middle aged, overweight man presents a complaint of 'chest pain.' Would you know how to differentiate this pain from true angina pectoris or pain anywhere within the six dermatome bands - costochondritis, lung cancer, esophageal spasm, Dissecting aortic aneurysm, or anxiety attacks, etc.? And, if it were true angina, how would you go about to determine if a myocardial infarct (heart attack) has occured?

Remark: In the face of significant chest pain before an actual infarct has occured, an EKG will not show much of anything. A prolonged QRS wave is evidence of an infarct. Your best guide is to understand the signs and symptoms of classic angina, and then do the following:

Bedside Diagnositic Approach to Angina: The Levine Test - In the face of active anginal pain, apply pressure to the carotid sinus and ask if the maneuver made the pain worse. If the patient states it did not make it worse but actual relieved it, the diagnosis is in favor of true angina.

Outpatient Diagnostic Approach: Sublingual nitroglycerin is the allopathic approach, if pain is relieved in 3 minutes or less, the majority of angina cases will respond favorably. A more natural approach is: As a heart stimulant for emergency use of Camphor is the most satisfactory remedy. Drop doses on sugar as often as every five minutes. HOMŒOPATHIC MATERIA MEDICA by William BOERICKE, M.D. 1927

Healthcare professionals who enter missionary service soon discover that their popular education poorly prepared them for effective work in developing nations, primarily because:
• Diseases are different. Malnutrition, unique injuries, and certain infectious diseases are common in developing nations but are rare in the wealthier nations.
• Medical resources are minimal. Advanced diagnostic technologies, subspecialty consultants, and highly developed treatments are rarely available in poorer nations, forcing clinicians to depend upon more basic clinical skills and simple laboratory.
• Cultural context is different. Success in combating disease requires an understanding of human behavior, which often contrasts sharply with that of more developed nations.
• Leadership training is lacking. Effective health care requires attention to the needs of entire communities; and a diplomatic approach to local authorities.

The question is, did you really learn these subjects in the first place? Without having a Master's or Ph.D. in those subjects, we anticipate not! Our courses are structured radically different. We teach biology, chemistry and physics within the realm of natural science, as opposed to 'brick and mortar' popular science courses, where often the material was designated to route memory and had little clinical relevance and the student usually forgets its content. Ordinary courses in biology, physics and chemistry simply does not teach one to be a natural doctor, nor have direct knowledge and life skiils of the subjects.

At the turn of the last century, the natural sciences were increasingly abandoned in the name of 'science.' Biology drifted from the analysis of life, as Darwin eloquently debuted, to the 'life sciences' where the study went from the field to the test tube. Science is defined as the branch of knowledge that produces theoretical explanations of natural phenomena based on experiments and observations. It is also described as an area of such knowledge that is restricted to explaining a limited class of phenomena.

Contemporary naturalism, however, holds that all experienced objects and qualities are equally real within nature. The categories of science do not exhaust nature's reality. Richness, diversity, spontaneity, and value dimensions exist within nature that elude the categories of physical science but that are immediately experienced in human interaction with nature. As part of nature, human beings manifest spontaneity and freedom.

Naturalists are uncompromising realists. Natural doctors see the end results of allopathic treatment, of the often the scientific disdain for the forces of nature and nature cure.

UNDER THIS CONTEXT, THE STUDENT SHOULD DEDICATE REGULAR HOURS TO STUDY.

EACH LESSON OF MOST COURSES IS ALLOCATED FOR TWO HOURS OF STUDY WITH AN ACCOMPANYING SELF-EVALUATION EXAM. THE STUDENT IS INSTRUCTED TO READ THE LESSON WHILE COMPLETING THE EXAM. IF THE STUDENT HAS PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF CONTENT, IT WILL TAKE LESS TIME THAN THAT. IF THE STUDENT IS HEURISTICALLY MINDED, IT MAY TAKE MORE, ENRICHING ONE'S STUDIES.

THE EXAMS ARE NOT DESIGNED TO BE PUNITIVE. THE QUESTIONS ARE TAKEN DIRECTLY OUT OF THE LESSON CONTENT. TRICK QUESTIONS ARE NOT THE OBJECTIVE. IF YOU READ THE LESSON, YOU WILL HAVE NO TROUBLE COMPLETING THE ONLINE EXAMS. RESULTS ARE RETURNED IMMEDIATELY VIA EMAIL. IF YOU FAIL, SIMPLY TAKE THE EXAM OVER AGAIN. UPON TAKING THE FINAL EXAM, A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION IS IMMEDIATELY EMAILED TO YOU.

 Our most important method a grading occurs during missionary residency, by a combination of spot quizzes and oral exposition. The candidate for graduation will also require a thesis for graduation. The subject is determined by counseling with the dean towards the end of the program.

Top 7 Reasons to study missionary medicine with SMOKH

1. One of the world's top institution

The PanAmerican School (formerly American School of Oriental and Homeopathic Medicine) was formed in 1979 and licensed in the State of Florida. It was the first Homeopathic School to be licensed since the fall of the Hahnemann school in the 1940's. The PanAmerican School has sinced conducted more than 500 courses all over the world. In 2008, it joined the Medical School of the Hospitallers.

2. Practitioners all over the world

Graduates of PanAmerican practice all over the world - North America, Canada, Mexico, Ecuador, Argentina, United Kingdom, Curacao, Antigua, Bahamas, Jamaica, Australia, Phillipines, Venezuela, etc.

3. You will earn a respected degree as on campus

SMOKH online programs follow the same, high academic standards (admission criteria, curricula, faculty, accreditation and exams) as programs on campus, leading to the same, quality degree. PanAm is accredited by the International Parliament of Safety & Peace and the World Organization of Natural Medicine Practitioners.

4. Taught by an experienced faculty

The Dean of the School, one of the early pioneers in alternative/complementary medicines, has taught courses all over the world. You learn from those who have been in the field, those who have fresh ideas and those with perspectives from different cultures. Classroom lectures and regularly scheduled seminars touch on the education that internet technology cannot provide. On campus and on mission, practical courses are taught by doctors, for doctors.

5. Convenient for working professionals

Studying online you earn your degree while you earn a living. You can attend full-time or part-time, without any need to commute to campus. You can take as many courses you want every term and complete courses at your own pace during each week. And, shorter than in most colleges, 8 to 10-week terms help you stay on track and complete your program.

The faster you complete your online courses, the less expensive your degree.

6. Highly interactive programs

Instructional materials come in text, graphics, audio and video formats, and are available online 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You interact with your professors primarily via email, web discussion boards and web chat tools. And you are never alone! Our highly committed faculty and staff engage students in frequent communication and provide academic counseling and technical support.

7. You save money

To begin with, prices for some of our online programs are the lowest in the world compared to the same programs taught on a traditional campus. And of course, you will save living and commuting expenses associated with face-to-face programs.

Click here to go to our Catalog and click here for an initial application.

You can take as many courses as you want per term (subject to academic requirements such as pre-requisites), and you may graduate even sooner!

Click here to learn more about your online program of interest.

Take the next step toward advancing your career by applying today!