Holistic Health for a Healthy Life

Holistic health is a great, natural choice based on the idea that optimal health is due to a living balance of the whole body. The word holistic is characterized as the belief that the parts of something are intimately interconnected and explicable only by reference to the whole. Holistic medicine, therefore, is based on treating the whole person. This approach takes into account medical, mental, and social factors which may exacerbate one’s condition, rather than just symptoms of a disease.

According to Modern Holistic Health, “The mind, body, spirit, and emotions are integrated and inseparable. With holistic health, there is the belief that the body contains an energy system that is the support and life for the physical body. Health is achieved with treating the causes of the symptoms and disease – not just alleviating, masking, or addressing the symptoms. If one part of your body is not functioning properly, all other parts may be affected.”

Holistic healthcare has a long history dating back to ancient times. According to Natural Healers, “Hippocrates, the father of medicine, who lived in the 4th century B.C., stressed the healing power of nature. He believed in encouraging the self-healing efforts of the body. Other early physicians were more interested in actively stepping in to correct illness. Following the scientific revolution, physicians paid less attention to healthy lifestyle choices, environmental factors, and emotional health. The emphasis was on symptoms and syndromes. Patients were discouraged from participating in their own health care and began to believe that medicine should simply ‘fix’ them.” This is when the separation between modern, Western medicine and holistic healthcare started.

There are three ancient holistic medical traditions, including Ayurveda, herbal medicine, and Western herbalism. Ayurveda is an ancient medical tradition which has its roots in India. Its origins can be traced to a text written by Sushruta in the 6th century B.C. “This healing practice involves the five great elements of the universe, the seven constituent elements of the body, and the three doshas, also known as biological energies.” Using these guidelines for treatment, Ayurvedic health practitioners help their patients achieve balance within their systems.

Herbal medicine is the oldest form of healthcare known to man

Herbal medicine is the oldest form of healthcare known to man. Its origins can be traced back to ancient times, where people all over the world drew on the medicinal properties of certain plants. This form of holistic medicine can be seen all throughout history and has been recorded in nearly every civilization on earth.

Finally, Western herbalism is traced back to ancient Greece and Rome, where it spread across Europe and the Americas. This form of medicine focuses on the medicinal attributes of plants and herbs and is still a form of medicine used in modern times. This form of healthcare is most similar to holistic healthcare provided today.

Holistic health approaches can be used a compliment to other parts of your personalized health care plan.

Choosing holistic healthcare over other, traditional methods can be a great choice for any lifestyle. However, it is not the only method when it comes to healthcare, and can be used a compliment to other parts of your personalized health care plan. Holistic treatment is usually comprised of natural and preventative methods which aim to balance the components which influence your body’s health. Holistic medicine takes many things into account as it is often the relationships between different factors such as rest, stress, diet, exercise, posture, sexual health, microbiomes, climate, and toxins which influence a person’s optimal health.

Holistic medicine is often integrated with natural, functional medicine. This is done in order to focus on one’s gastrointestinal, immune, and endocrine systems. This helps your holistic practitioner personalize your health plan and identify the root of your ailments. The partnership between your and your practitioner allows one to understand how the systems of their body are working or not working together. In addition, it can help one understand measures they must take to prevent future health risks.

One of the best supplements to consider taking with your holistic healthcare plan is by Standard Process. This company is making leaps and bounds in the holistic healthcare industry and offers a comprehensive line of over 190 nutritional supplements made using whole food ingredients supported by scientific evidence. In addition, this company grows 80% of the plants used in their supplements in their family owned, certified organic farm. They are grown in such a way that preserves and protects the nutrients in their products for maximum potency, efficacy, and quality.

While modern day medicine has brought us many life saving advancements, it is often a siloed approach to health as it breaks the body down into individual symptoms. The difference when it comes to holistic healthcare, however, is that it looks at the body as a sum of its systems. Health is often broken down into a bunch of numbers and diagnoses which do not always provide the best picture of a healthy body. Holistic healing, however, combines healthcare practices such as herbalism, massage, chiropractic, therapy, acupuncture, yoga, meditation, nutrition, personal training, reiki (energy work), and more along with traditional medicine.

According to Dr. Jenn Drake, D.C., a holistic chiropractor & health coach, “all people have innate healing powers. In addition, the patient is a person, not a disease, and healing takes a team approach involving the patient and doctor. This type of healing addresses all aspects of a person’s life using a variety of health care practices. Treatment involves fixing the cause of the condition, not just alleviating the symptoms.” Therefore, treatment must involve fixing the cause of the condition using any of the methods your holistic healthcare provider is trained in.

If you are interested in healing your body and achieving balance in your life, consider making a virtual appointment with Dr. Pam, a holistic healthcare specialist. Very few medical professionals practice holistic healthcare, so they are normally in high demand. Each holistic practitioner is trained differently and usually specializes in a couple forms of health restoration. However, each holistic doctor offers a unique set of skills which can help you achieve a balanced life and full body wellness. If this is something that interests you, or if Western medicine is not providing the answers you need, consider looking into holistic healthcare as a solution to your ailments.