Mesopotamian medicine has been relatively inaccessible to historians of medicine as there are so few editions of the medical texts. As a result there are some misunderstandings about the nature of Mesopotamian medicine, and it has not received the attention that ancient Egyptian or Greek medicine have.

One old misconception was that the Mesopotamians saw all causes of disease as supernatural. It is true that the perceived origin of most illnesses was supernatural, the result of an outside force intruding upon the body whether as the result of divine displeasure, a curse, a demon or witch. However, the Mesopotamians probably did recognize the natural origin of some illnesses such as those caused by food poisoning, drinking too much alcohol, or trauma.

The Mesopotamians also seem to have understood that some diseases were communicable and even observed the pulse. This dichotomy between the supernatural and the natural does not seem to have been a problem for the Mesopotamians, and in fact they would often combine the two in affecting a cure. This can be seen in how the practitioners of medicine worked.

There were two different types of medical practitioners in Mesopotamia, the aszipu and the asuu, who are traditionally seen as having distinct functions in the healing of illness.

The asuu (physician) was the therapeutic practitioner, he or she dealt with the physical aspects of curing disease, concocting potions, salves, and tinctures and applying them. The aszipu (magician) was always male and dealt with illness from a magical standpoint through the use of omens and incantations. They functioned as exorcists and were members of the clergy. It is well known, however, that although maintaining distinct primary functions, the two practitioners probably worked together to a certain extent.