Doctors who practice holistic medicine believe that all body components are interconnected. Good health occurs when every organ and system functions appropriately. Any imbalance can increase the risk of illness and disease.
Holistic doctors understand the importance of one’s mind, body, soul, and emotions and how they impact an individual’s health. Holistic doctors use a combination of conventional medicine and scientifically proven alternative therapies, such as functional medicine, to improve their patient’s health. Although holistic doctors use medications and conventional drugs for their patients, they first look for other treatment options. Some of the primary principles embraced by holistic medicine include:
Focus on the person as a whole rather than just focusing on the illness or disease.
Treatment involves finding and eradicating the root cause of an illness or disease rather than just treating the symptoms.
A consultation with a holistic doctor addresses all aspects of life, including psychological, mental, and physical problems.
Harness the body’s natural ability to heal itself.
Greater focus on nutrition, sleep, exercise, and stress management.
There is an emphasis on mind-body connection, relationships, spiritual health, and mental well-being.
Holistic Medicine Benefits
Holistic medicine has been used for centuries to promote healing and wellness. It works by correcting deficiencies, balancing body systems, and promoting good health. Some key benefits of holistic medicine include:
Emphasis on Illness Prevention—Holistic medicine’s primary goal is to improve each patient’s health, increase patients’ awareness of potential health conditions, and prevent the development of disease or illness. Accomplish these by empowering and encouraging patients to modify unhealthy lifestyle choices contributing to their health conditions. A holistic practitioner will recommend various immune-boosting techniques and strategies to improve a patient’s health.
Whole-person healing—A key characteristic of holistic medicine is how mind, body, spirit, and emotions impact one’s health. Studies have shown that stress can cause several illnesses. A holistic doctor will incorporate all aspects of a person’s life into a treatment plan rather than just managing symptoms.
Integration of Healing Systems—Holistic medicine uses lifestyle modifications, complementary medical approaches such as functional medicine, and conventional medical treatments. Practitioners work with patients to find treatments that meet their needs, including prescription medications, herbal remedies, supplements, and lifestyle changes.
Patient Empowerment—In conventional medicine, patients rely solely on their doctor’s recommendations and medications. Unfortunately, most medications treat and mask symptoms. Holistic medicine empowers patients to take responsibility for their health and well-being.
Everyone knows the importance of a healthy diet, daily exercise, a good night’s sleep, and decreased stress levels. However, patients often have trouble incorporating healthy changes into their daily lives. Rather than giving the patient a checklist of “To-Dos,” holistic practitioners discuss lifestyle changes they can make today. The patient and their doctor will work together to develop a plan to help improve the patient’s health through practical and proven protocols.
Enabling the Body’s Innate Ability to Heal Itself—Holistic doctors understand that the body has a natural ability to heal itself. This ability improves when the mind, body, and spirit are in sync and healthy. Holistic medicine uses numerous treatment methodologies to enhance a patient’s natural immunity, reduce inflammation, and regulate the process in the body.
Personalized Attention—Holistic care is patient-centered, meaning every patient will work alongside their doctor to determine the best methods to enhance health. Holistic practitioners typically give patients more time and attention than conventional doctors. Due to constraints from insurance programs, conventional doctors often have limited time and energy to focus on each patient. The philosophy of holistic medicine encourages holistic doctors to prioritize and focus on each patient’s health and well-being by giving them the time and attention they deserve.
Patient and Practitioner Relationship—One of the most important aspects of holistic medicine is the symbiotic relationship between the holistic practitioner and the patient. The patient is more than just a list of past medical history and symptoms. A holistic doctor considers how patients think, act, and feel based on their unique physical, spiritual, social, and psychological makeup, which enables the doctor to develop an adequate diagnosis and treatment plan that considers all areas of the patient’s life, including medical and family history and social lifestyle, for optimum results.
Teach by Example—Holistic practitioners understand the importance of teaching by example. They recommend healthy lifestyle changes, medications, and natural remedies for their patients and practice similar methods, such as a healthy lifestyle with regular detoxifications. The patients trust their practitioners and heal faster. Additionally, if the patient has questions or concerns, the holistic doctor better understands and offers practical guidance.
Mind-Body Connection—Individuals’ thoughts, beliefs, feelings, and attitudes impact their emotional and physical health. Conversely, an individual’s physical health can affect their feelings about themselves, others, and the world. This complex interrelationship is known as the mind-body connection. Holistic medicine addresses both the mind and body for optimal health and well-being.
Power of Positive Thinking—Holistic medicine understands that attitude is vital to health. Research has shown that positive attitudes and emotions can help a patient recover from an illness. Learning to find balance, lower stress levels, and improve your outlook on life is key to longevity, improved health, and lower disease risk.
Harnessing the Power of Mother Nature—Mother Nature provides humankind with numerous ways to improve health and cure illness and disease. For thousands of years, humans have relied on the power of plants to treat their ailments. Many people do not realize that around three-quarters of all medications contain natural plant extracts, molds, or fungi.
Holistic and conventional medicine uses more than eighty thousand plants. For example, salicylic acid, one of the key ingredients in aspirin, is derived from the bark of willow and myrtle trees. Other common medications with plant-derived ingredients include codeine, pseudoephedrine, motion sickness medications, and camphor.
Life’s Learning Opportunities—Holistic medicine understands that a person’s life consists of opportunities to learn and grow. These opportunities include joy, sickness, birth, and even death. By teaching the patient to view each trial as a learning opportunity, the practitioner can help the patient focus on learning opportunities rather than just the emotional aspects of life. This methodology helps reduce stress, improve the patient’s outlook, and promote emotional, physical, and psychological healing.
Balancing Stress—Holistic medicine aims to help patients achieve a balanced life and optimal health. It also addresses the patient’s mental and emotional health. A holistic doctor may recommend incorporating stress relief techniques like prayer, journaling, and yoga into the patient’s daily life. Examples include guided imagery, meditation, and hypnotherapy, which help clear the mind, while yoga and tai chi strengthen the body.
Power of Compassion and Caring—Holistic doctors endeavor to meet patients’ expectations with kindness, grace, and compassion. Practitioners understand that compassion and caring are potent healers when dealing with any illness and include them in every treatment plan. When patients feel cared for, they are willing to follow the practitioner’s advice and thus improve their health.
Affordable Care—Many people are surprised to learn that holistic care is one of the most affordable healthcare programs in the world. Considering the high cost of surgeries and hospitalizations, most holistic treatment protocols are affordable. These simple and natural treatments have been used for years to enhance the immune system and promote natural healing.
Holistic Treatment Options
Holistic care uses various treatment modalities to ensure patients receive optimal medical care. These include conventional medicine, complementary and alternative medicine treatments, herbal remedies, dietary supplementation, mind-body therapy, stress relief techniques, chiropractic care, massage therapy, homeopathy, and acupuncture.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine Treatments (CAM)
Approximately 40 percent of Americans seek Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) treatments instead of conventional medical approaches. CAM therapies naturally improve a patient’s health by helping align the body’s systems. Some standard complementary therapies include homeopathy, massage therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, and naturopathic medicine. Holistic medicine combines the best of conventional medicine with science-based alternative treatment modalities to benefit patients.
Functional Medicine
Functional medicine focuses on finding and treating the root cause of illness or disease. This integrated, holistic healthcare process creates a close partnership between patients and doctors. Functional medicine aims to uncover the root causes of your condition and build a treatment plan to deliver the relief you’ve been searching for.
Supplements like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals support the body’s natural defense mechanisms and often give it the necessary nutrients to heal and stay healthy. Herbal formulas, such as echinacea, increase the body’s natural immunity. When immunity increases, the body can fight infection or prevent illnesses. Some herbal formulas help alleviate pain, balance hormones, and improve biological functions throughout the body. Holistic medicine promotes health through prescription and over-the-counter medicine, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies.
Mind and Body Therapy
Holistic medicine uses many mind-body techniques, such as massage therapy, acupuncture, meditation, visualization, and yoga. These practices are administered by trained practitioners and heal the body, mind, and spirit. The patient experiences improved health and wellness.
Stress Relief Techniques
Stress impacts all areas of the body. Research shows it contributes to several health conditions, including an increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and cancer. Stress relief techniques, such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, and journaling, help calm the mind, relax the body, and improve the patient’s health.
Massage Therapy and Chiropractic Care
Massage therapy and chiropractic services help to align the body and alleviate pain. Chiropractic care gently manipulates the spine so the body can function at peak performance. Massage therapy relaxes the muscles and helps rid the body of toxins.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been used for centuries to align the body, promote health, and provide relaxation. It uses fine needles placed at specific locations on the body. The needles release endorphins, which relax and heal the body naturally.
How Can A Holistic Doctor Help?
Holistic medicine focuses on the whole person rather than just treating symptoms. Holistic practitioners work with their patients to develop plans to help heal the mind, body, and soul and promote wellness. These whole-body treatment approaches help improve the patient’s health, alleviate stress, and diminish pain. Whether an individual is dealing with the common cold or facing a serious medical condition such as high blood pressure, diabetes,or menopause, holistic medicine can help overcome illness or prevent disease.
Ready to take control of your health? It’s time to look out for a holistic doctor. Our team of holistic medicine practitioners believes YOU are at the center of your health, and as such, your healthcare team will include you in the decision-making process each step of the way. Each team member will work to improve your overall health, reduce the risk of disease, and enhance your immune system by utilizing a whole-body approach. Call us today to experience the difference. We offer a caring and dedicated healthcare team skilled in holistic medicine approaches for optimum healing.
Rose Wellness offers Holistic, Integrative and Functional Medicine services for treating chronic issues as well as for preventive care. Join us and take control of your health, your most important asset.
Holistic Approach To Wellness
Looking for root cause analysis of your symptoms and a personalized treatment plan?
Schedule a free 15 minute call with our wellness coordinator to see how we can help.
