About Holistic Medicine

Holistic medicine is not only a type of medical treatment that encompasses many alternative medicinal applications, but is also a philosophy in which the body, mind and spirit are treated as a whole. Although, in the Western world, holistic medicine has held its place outside the circle of conventional medicine, recently some parts of it have begun to be integrated into the mainstream medical practice, such as acupuncture, massage and supplements.

History

• The concept of holistic medicine has been around for about 5,000 years. It originated in India and China, where it was a philosophy that a person should be treated medically as a whole and live in harmony with the earth. Even Socrates believed in this idea and stated that the body should not be dealt with part by part, but as a whole.
  In the Western world, holistic treatments have become more and more recognized since the 1970s, although previous generations used what was called folk medicine. Many alternative treatments are being tried by people more than ever before in North America. It is no longer unique to see professionals in acupuncture, homeopathy, yoga and others put out their shingle, especially in larger cities.

Types

• There are many types of alternative medicines under the cover of holistic medicine. Here are short definitions of the more well-known.
  Acupuncture: This treatment involves placing very thin needles in strategic locations meant to alleviate a block in the bodily system that may be causing a negative condition.
  Therapeutic massage: Soft body tissue is manipulated, encouraging circulation and relaxation. It has been known to benefit conditions such as stress, muscle aches, sleep problems, immune system issues, depression and much more.
  Yoga: These days, in the Western world, many people use yoga strictly as a physical activity (exercise). However, the word yoga comes from a Sanskrit word meaning "union." The physical and mental activities are meant to treat the "whole" while connecting with the universal spirit and creating enlightenment.
  Homeopathy: A treatment system with the concept that if a diseased person is given a tiny amount of a substance that would cause the same disease effect in a healthy individual it would heal him. The substance is believed to stimulate an individual's own healing abilities.
  Herbal therapy encompasses the use of herbs and plants for the purpose of healing or preventing ailments, also known as medicinal botany, herbology and phytotherapy.
  Ayurvedic medicine: This form of holistic medicine stresses preventing and curing illness with exercise, yoga, hygiene, physiotherapy, herbs and diet. It analyzes the body in terms of earth, fire, water and air as well as wind, bile and phlegm.

Effects

• The effectiveness of holistic medicine lies in the total healing and preventive qualities of its process. With the belief that the body, mind and spirit are connected, healing one part and not the other two heals only a portion and not the whole. By treating and being successful at eliminating the disease, in a holistic manner, lessons are learned, enlightenment is attained and the physical body is also healed.

Misconceptions

• Some people believe that alternative treatments under the umbrella of holistic medicine only produce a placebo effect or that there have been no scientific studies for most treatments to prove or disapprove their effect. Therefore, it is said by some that they are a "non-medicine." In some medical and scientific realms, holistic medicine is even referred to as such.
  It is true that fewer tests and studies have been done on holistic medical methods than on pharmaceuticals. Yet thousands of people die from prescription drugs each year. And many times drugs are recalled after people have been harmed or die by their use. One would believe that the criteria for pharmaceutical testing is not without its major faults. However, the reason alternative medicines are not studied and tested in the Western world is that these procedures are very expensive to undertake. By testing, they would bring no one any great monetary benefit as pharmaceuticals.
  The idea that holistic health medicine's benefit is a placebo effect is a nonissue, as many people have found benefits from alternative treatments. In fact, many that have been dismissed as placebo, in the past, are now starting to enter mainstream medicine, at least as a complementary medicines.

Warning

• Not all holistic medicine is equal. If an individual chooses to use supplemental or herbal therapy, she should research the company to make sure they are in good standing. Also, she will need to be more educated in the type of supplement to be aware of any side effects and how they might interact with other medications.
  If you choose to go to any of the holistic medical practitioners, it is your responsibility to make sure they are certified or have had adequate education and training in their area. Ask questions. If you are not satisfied with the answers, go elsewhere until you find a practitioner you feel comfortable with.