Galen's Contribution to Complementary and Alternative Medicine

This essay discusses Galen's contribution and works in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). The dominance of his medical doctrine in the Western and Arab for more than 1500 years remains a mark of influence.

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The contribution of the ancient philosophers and historical figures to different fields
that make the modern society is undeniable. Many of them began to study concepts and
discovered ideas and concepts that remain fundamental in underlying the current
technological advancements in all fields of human interest. Galen is a historical figure
whose contribution to the field of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
remains an essential mark in the medical field history. Although most of his ideologies and
concepts were overturned and dropped during the Renaissance period, it is evident that his
contribution was very foundational (Johnston, 2006). This essay discusses his contribution
and works in CAM. The dominance of his medical doctrine in the Western and Arab for
more than 1500 years remains a mark of influence.
The remarkable contribution by Galen remains encompassed in the early years of
his life in which he learned essential skills in medical literature which acted as a foundation
for his medical profession. Galen had a Greek nativity and spent most of his career years
serving as Rome’s most significant play as well as authoring books. He earned the position
of a personal physician for the Rome’s Emperor for many decades. The capacity to
integrated already existing knowledge with his research could be traced back to his early
years of standard living and education. The dreams of his father Nicon taught and
mentored him (Duckworth, Galen, Lyons, & Towers, 2010).
The ancient world of Greek got covered with religious worship. When Galen was
16 years old, his father had a dream about his son. The Greek god of medicine appeared to
him, directing that his son, Galen had to divert his efforts to medicine and healing. This
moment became a turning point for Galen who was then forced to drop out of his logic and
philosophy class to join medicine. Galen lived to believe that the Greek god Asclepius

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always came for his rescue whenever he was in need. Galen was a super genius and hence
decided to keep his mind in philosophy. He would later become a trainee doctor under
Satyrus, a place where he learned therapeutic methods for four years (Moss, 2002).
The professional work of Galen was empowered after the death of his father as he
spread his wings and traveled to Egypt where he learned more on medicine and healing for
five more years. Galen was determined to make a successful career out of medicine and
healing. When he returned to Rome, his position as a physician to the gladiators of the
Temple of Pergamon’s High priest earned his fame and great influence (Mattern, 2013).
His efforts to keep the gladiators treated and health would remain a significant way to push
his name to fame. When Galen arrived in Rome, he differed in ideologies with the Roman
physicians who resented him. He, however, kept on moving with the ambition to reach his
desires.
The personality of Galen proves the capacity to persist and become successful
through severe engagement and ambitious living. Looking at the results of Galen’s living,
many books which still operate today are on. As a Master of Medicine, Galen worked in
several operations which regard to many other Greek physicians such as Hippocrates,
Celsus, and Alcmaeon. The domination of Galen’s doctrines in medicine filled a gap that
existed until the end of the middle age.

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References
Duckworth, W., Galen, Lyons, M. & Towers, B. (2010). Galen on Anatomical Procedures:
the Later Books. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Johnston, I. (2006). Galen: on diseases and symptoms. Cambridge University Press.
Mattern, S. P. (2013). The Prince of Medicine: Galen in the Roman Empire. Oxford
University Press.
Moss, M. (2002). Galen: My life in imperial Rome: an ancient world journal. San Diego:
Harcourt.