Thursday, June 22, 2006

An Overview of Holistic Medicine

Summary
Holistic medicine is a system of health care that emphasizes the whole person, not just the disease. It is based on the belief that the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social aspects of health are of equal importance to a person’s well-being. Holistic medicine looks at all options for treatment of a condition, including natural, herbal, conventional, physical, mental and emotional to choose a treatment plan that treats the whole person, not just the symptoms of the disease.

Holistic medicine is more a philosophy of well-being and health than it is a method or collection of techniques. A practitioner of holistic health may recommend or use any of a wide variety of alternative and conventional methods in treatment. Those may include herbal and natural healing, massage therapy, counseling and support groups, aromatherapy, herbal medicine, diet and nutritional supplements and conventional drug therapy and surgery.

It has become more common for health care services to support a holistic approach to health, at least in so far as supporting wellness programs that emphasize all aspects of a person’s health. Many health care plans now include coverage for gym and health club memberships, support groups for weight loss and smoking cessation and for people dealing with particular conditions, educational outreach, nutritional counseling and referrals to some alternative practitioners.

Holistic medicine may refer to one of a number of different alternative therapies that share the belief that medical treatment must take the entire lifestyle and life of a person into account when prescribing treatment, not just the symptoms of a disease. These include homeopathy, naturopathy, Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine.

The Evidence for Holistic Medicine
Since holistic medicine refers to a philosophy of health that includes many different disciplines, it’s difficult to define specific research or studies that support the use of holistic medicine overall. In general, however, most conventional practitioners agree that disease is often a function of more than just the symptoms or the pathology, and that it is better to treat the person than to treat the illness. Consequently, they will prescribe treatments that include meditation, yoga, martial arts practice for exercise, dietary and lifestyle changes and support groups to help a patient achieve a more balanced lifestyle.

Criticism of Holistic Medicine
Most criticisms of the holistic model of medicine are aimed at particular branches of holistic medicine or theories. There are criticisms, for example, that hypnotism has not been proven to aid in pain reduction, though many doctors and dentists routinely offer it as an option for patients with great success. There are also criticisms leveled at the various types of holistic medicine like homeopathy or naturopathy that focus on the dangers or risks associated with those particular branches. The strongest criticism of holistic methods of healing are that a great deal of the methods used are unproven, and may be a waste of time and money in treating illness.

posted by Trey Koehler @ 2:03 AM   0 comments  

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home

Current Health News

North Andover announces zero-percent wage increases for two unions (North Andover Citizen)
The Town of North Andover has ratified an agreement with two of its unions for a zero percent wage increase for the current budget year, fiscal 2008-2009.
 
North Andover librarian and public works unions agree to no raises this year (The Eagle-Tribune)
NORTH ANDOVER — Public works employees and librarians will see no raises this fiscal year, after settling two-year union contracts with the town this week. The two unions had been working without contracts since June 30, 2007.
 
Alternative health treatments get a boost from WHO (News-Medical-Net)
A declaration by the World Health Organization (WHO) could raise the profile of traditional or alternative health treatments such as acupuncture and herbal medicine.
 
TV show's home recipient to speak (The Toledo Blade)
Jackie Frisch, whose West Toledo house was rebuilt for the ABC reality show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, will be one of the speakers at a "Day of Healing" today at the SeaGate Centre downtown. The Center for Conscious Living is promoting the free public event, which will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and seeks to promote integrated health for the mind, body, and spirit. Holistic and alternative ...
 



Current Health Articles

Is Work Still Necessary?
Many internet gurus say it is easy to make money on the internet. The article questions this viewpoint and is based on bitter experience. It also contains tips on how to become an expert in a shorter period of time than most think is necessary. It also compares modern and traditional values.
When You Eat at the Fridge
Have you ever eaten at the fridge in a mindless and frenzied manner? Of course you have -- you're human! Not only what we eat affects our well-being, but HOW we eat also has a tremendous impact. Share a story of culural differences and learn how to regain control of how you eat.
1st Textbook on Sleep Psychiatry
The fascinating world of sleep has achieved more clinical research inquiries over the past few decades. However, Sleep Psychiatry has become a newly established subspecialty in sleep medicine. It affords a need for a much-awaited textbook on sleep psychiatry.
Holding Back the Years
Maintaining a youthful appearance is a goal for many of us - both men and women alike - as the years pass by we look at ways of preventing the onset of inevitable signs of aging. Thanks to an established range of treatments offered by LINE BREAKER, specialist in the provision of non-surgical procedures you can prevent the visible signs of aging.
10 Easy Tips To Make Your New Year?s Resolutions Succeed
It is a New Year 2005 and I want to wish you good health, long life, success and happiness. During the New Year, most people make resolutions but often very few are able to keep them.
Functional Foods: What They Are And How They Work
Designer foods and supplements that can prevent disease and have medical benefits!
Laughter and Your Health
Did you know that according to research, children laugh about 400 times a day while adults only laugh about 15 times a day? Some how we lost the ability to laugh, as we got older. Could it be that putting more humour and laughter into our day will improve our health and wellbeing?