In the pursuit of maximum health and wellness, holistic medicine takes into account the full individual — body, mind, spirit, and emotions. According to the holistic medicine philosophy, attaining adequate life balance is the key to achieving optimal health, which is the major goal of holistic medical treatment.
Holistic health practitioners think that the entire person is made up of interdependent pieces and that if one portion fails, the rest of the body suffers. In this sense, having physical, mental, or spiritual imbalances in one’s life can have a negative impact on one’s entire health.
To treat a patient, a holistic doctor may use any type of health care, from conventional pharmaceuticals to alternative therapies. When a person with migraine headaches visits a holistic doctor, the doctor will likely look at all of the potential factors that may be causing the person’s headaches, such as other health problems, diet and sleep habits, stress and personal problems, and preferred spiritual practices, rather than just prescribing medications. The treatment approach may include medications to alleviate symptoms, as well as lifestyle changes to help prevent headaches from returning.
Holistic Medicine Principles
Holistic medicine also believes that the most potent healer is unconditional love and support and that a person is ultimately responsible for their own health and well-being. The following are some more holistic medicine principles:
- Everyone has the ability to heal himself.
- The patient is not a sickness, but a person.
- Healing takes a team approach involving the patient and the doctor and uses a variety of health care approaches to treating all parts of a person’s life.
- Treatment entails addressing the root of the problem rather than just masking the symptoms.
Types Of Treatments In Holistic Medicine
Holistic practitioners employ a variety of therapeutic methods to assist their patients in taking charge of their own health and achieving optimal health. These may include:
Depending on the practitioner’s training:
- To enhance wellbeing, patients are educated on lifestyle adjustments and self-care. Diet, exercise, psychotherapy, interpersonal and spiritual counseling, and other options may be considered.
- Acupuncture, chiropractic care, homeopathy, massage treatment, naturopathy, and other complementary and alternative therapies
- Medication and surgical techniques from the West
Where To Find A Holistic Provider In Holistic Medicine
Medical doctors, osteopaths, naturopathic doctors, chiropractors, and homeopathic doctors are examples of holistic providers. Visit the American Holistic Medical Association’s website to discover a holistic practitioner in your area. There, you can conduct an online provider search to locate a physician in your area.
When Looking For A Holistic Provider, Keep The Following In Mind:
Don’t just go to anyone. As with any occupation, there are people who are excellent at it and those who are not. Get a recommendation from someone you trust or contact a reputable health group for a reference before choosing a holistic medicine doctor.
Make sure you finish your homework. Find out as much as you can about a holistic doctor’s training, experience, specialty, and affiliations with professional organizations and hospitals before choosing one. Are they certified by a reputable medical body in holistic medicine? Take into account the doctor’s therapeutic philosophy as well. Is it in line with your own beliefs?
What are your thoughts? Consider how at ease you are with the service provider. Do they make you feel at ease while you’re around them? Is the provider considerate of your worries and convictions? Remember that medicine is a collaborative effort involving both you and the practitioner, so make sure you feel at ease and valued, and that you want to work with them.
It’s time for your appointment. Choose a service provider who will spend enough time with you to fully comprehend your requirements.
Are you asking the correct questions? Prepare to answer a lot of questions about your food, exercise, sleep habits, how you feel emotionally. Your religious beliefs and practices, personal relationships, and more. So that your doctor can understand you as a whole person and not just a sickness.
Treatment alternatives are available. Does the wellness plan go beyond medicines? When deciding on a treatment approach? As certain that the practitioner considers all lifestyle and medical aspects that may be contributing to your disease.
