Holistic Health Care

What is Holistic Health Care?

Holistic health is an approach to wellness that addresses the physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual components of health. The term holistic refers to the theory that all parts of a whole are intimately interconnected. Holistic medicine looks at the whole person for answers, not just at physical symptoms. A Holistic doctor uses traditional medicine and also considers factors such as your lifestyle, diet, sleep habits and stress levels. They take all of these things into consideration when working on a treatment plan for their patients. You may find that the holistic doctor asks many more in depth questions to assess your health. That is because he is looking at how your body is working as a whole and not as individual parts.

Usually, holistic medicine combines traditional medicine and complementary or alternative medicine. Alternative medicine practices are also a key part of what holistic medicine is and includes acupuncture, homeopathy, naturopathy, massage, Tai Chi, Reiki and osteopathic medicine.

What are the benefits of Integrative Medicine?

·        Offers more natural and less invasive treatments.

·        Improves your health and wellness.

·        Treats the person, not just the symptom or disease.

·        Addresses the root cause of disease.

·        Focuses on you and your health needs.

·        Incorporates Eastern medicine with Western medicine.

Integrative medicine combines your current treatment plan with alternative therapies that work towards improving your overall health and wellness. It blends traditional medicine with safe, evidence-based alternative medicine while reinforcing the body's innate ability to heal itself. Integrative medicine treats the whole person, not just the symptom or disease. It takes into consideration all factors that influence your health: Biological, behavioral, psychosocial and environmental. To be truly healthy requires not only physical, but also emotional, mental and spiritual well-being.

Western medicine alone tends to focus on the problem at hand. Instead of looking at the body as a whole, doctors look at the injury, illness or disease as a single problem and they use prescription medications to treat the problem. For instance, if a person goes to the doctor with a temperature and sore throat the doctor will probably give them antibiotics instead of looking at your immune system and seeing if there is a problem there with the body as a whole. Hypertension is another good example. A person goes to the doctor and their blood pressure is elevated and the doctor wants to start them on blood pressure medication. An integrative approach would be to look at the body as a whole and try to determine what is causing the blood pressure to he high. Which approach would your prefer? How about combining them both together for a more holistic approach!

Holistic Healing Care is the best approach to use for total health and wellness. Do you have a back ache? Get some chiropractic and massage therapy to soothe and heal your pain. How about a good therapist for depression instead of drugs? I'm not saying that prescription drugs are bad, I'm just saying that avoiding drugs and treating the problem with a more natural approach might be better for your body as a whole. Please make sure you are informed and talk with your doctor before making any medical decisions about your health and that includes medications or supplements. Your doctor should always explain any treatments or medications that they prescribe for you. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask. This is your life and health! Its very important to understand your treatment and your options.

What does a Holistic Doctor Do?

Holistic doctors typically have a medical degree and base their treatments on holistic medicine. This can include Osteopaths, Integrative physicians, Chiropractors, Naturopathic doctors and traditional Chinese medicine practitioners. A holistic doctor treats the body as a whole. They aim to find the cause behind the disease, instead of just fixing the symptoms. For example, if you have eczema, a medical doctor may give you a prescription cream. But a holistic doctor may suggest dietary and lifestyle changes. The holistic doctor might also recommend using the cream, plus natural home remedies like oatmeal baths. Here are some examples of holistic treatments:

·        Nutrition counseling

·        Dietary supplements

·        Exercise

·        Yoga

·        Stretching

·        Tai Chi

·        Meditation

·        Self-massage

·        Support groups

What to look for in a qualified holistic doctor:

·        Education

·        Licenses

·        Certifications

·        Experience

·        Associated organizations

·        Good user reviews

Where to find a Holistic Provider:

Holistic providers may include medical doctors, doctors of osteopathy, naturopathic doctors, chiropractors and homeopathic doctors. To find a holistic practitioner in your area, visit the American Holistic Medical Association website. You can also go to Yelp and find Holistic doctors with reviews.

Well now you might ask yourself, "How can I start being holistic?" Here are some tips to help you get started on your Holistic Healing Journey.

·        Eat healthy. The food you eat plays a major role in how you feel.

·        Hydrate! Stay well hydrated to prevent dehydration. Drink 9-13 cups of water daily.

·        Drink alcohol in moderation. Moderate drinking can be good for the heart.

·        Get enough sleep. Allows body and mind to recharge.

·        Move your body. Add aerobic exercise at least 3 days a week.

·        Deep breathing. Practice relaxing breathing exercises daily.

·        Go outside and get some fresh air. Observe natures beauty!

·        Talk to people you love. Reach out and talk with a loved one.

All of these tips are really about taking good care of your body as a whole. Get started on your Holistic Wellness and Health journey today. You will be so glad you did. Your body will love you for it!