In pursuing optimal health and wellness, holistic medicine considers the whole person — body, mind, spirit, and emotions. According to healthcare providers at healthcare events in the USA , the ultimate goal of holistic medicine is to achieve optimum well-being and balance in one's life.
Holistic medicine practitioners believe that the entire person is composed of interdependent parts and that if one component fails, all other parts suffer. As a result, if people have imbalances in their lives (physical, emotional, or spiritual), it can harm their overall health.
A holistic doctor treats patients through various treatments, like conventional medicine or alternative therapies. When a person suffering from migraines visits a holistic doctor, the doctor will assess all potential factors that could be contributing to the cause of this problem - such as other health issues, diet and sleep patterns, stress levels, and personal problems - to come up with an appropriate treatment plan. This might involve prescribing medicine to reduce pain while recommending changes in behavior or lifestyle, so they don't suffer these headaches again.
Holistic Medicine Principles
Holistic medicine also holds that unconditional love and support are the most potent healers and that a person is ultimately responsible for their health and well-being. Other holistic medicine principles are as follows:
- Every human is born with the innate capacity to heal.
- A patient is a person, not just a disease.
- Healing is a collaborative process involving the patient and the doctor and addresses all aspects of a person's life through various health care practices.
- Treatment should address an illness's root problem, not just its symptoms.
Treatment Options in Holistic Medicine
Holistic practitioners use various treatments to encourage their patients to take responsibility for their health and live an optimally healthy life. This includes depending on the individual's experience with holistic practices:
- Patient education on healthy lifestyle choices and self-care. Diet, exercise, psychotherapy, relationship and spiritual counseling, and other services may be included.
- Acupuncture, chiropractic care, homeopathy, massage therapy, naturopathy, and other complementary and alternative therapies
- Western drugs and surgical procedures
Where to Find a Holistic Provider in Holistic Medicine
Medical doctors, naturopathic doctors, chiropractors, and homeopathic doctors are examples of holistic providers. Visit the American Holistic Medical Association's website to find a holistic practitioner in your area. You can conduct an online provider search to locate a practitioner in your area.
Experts at some 2022’s healthcare events in the US discussed some considerations when selecting a holistic provider.
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Don't just go to anyone:
As with any profession, some excel at their jobs, and some don't. Get a recommendation from someone you trust before choosing a holistic medicine doctor, or contact a credible health organization and ask for a piece of advice.
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Do your research:
Find out as much as possible about holistic doctor's training, experience, specialty, and affiliation with professional organizations and hospital affiliations. Is a credible medical board certifying them in holistic medicine? Consider the doctor's treatment philosophy as well.
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What are your thoughts?:
Consider your level of comfort with the provider. Do they make you feel comfortable? Is the service provider considerate of your concerns and beliefs? Remember that holistic medicine is a team effort that involves both you and the provider, so make sure you feel at ease and respected.
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Are the right questions being asked?
Be prepared to answer many questions about your diet, exercise, sleep habits, emotional state, religious beliefs and practices, close relationships, and other topics.
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Treatment options:
When determining a treatment approach, does the wellness plan go beyond pills? Ensure the practitioner investigates all lifestyle and medical factors contributing to your illness.
Final Thoughts
Healing relies on examining human dependencies and compassion rather than pushing away expressions of competitiveness and selfishness. Once in a while, we forget something undeniably true - virtues such as wisdom, patience, and truthfulness. Medicine needs to heal through its most gentle forms for humanity with honesty, courage, and presence instead of blindly pursuing success at all costs without regard for others' feelings or well-being. As more healthcare providers lean towards holistic medicine, other experts require more clarity on the subject. Join the Health 2.0 Conference and deep dive into the world of holistic medicine.
