What is Holistic Medicine?

Holistic medicine is based on healing principles and treatments that are intended to prevent dis-ease; and maintains health and wellness by facilitating the body’s innate abilities (to heal itself).

As an integrative system of health intervention and maintenance, holistic medicine is comprised of mind-body-spirit medicine and natural health treatments like chiropractic, naturopathy, homeopathy, energy healing, and massage therapy. The philosophy (of all of these complementary therapies) shared in common is the belief in doing no harm and treating the “whole” person, and not just the “dis-ease.”

Holistic medicine like chiropractic is typically administered by an educated and licensed D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic). Integrating a combination of therapies, chiropractors will often design a treatment plan specific to the individual; which may include holistic nutritional counseling, bodywork therapies, and gentle spinal adjustments.

Homeopathy, another form of holistic medicine, was developed by Samuel Hahnemann during the 18th century. Homeopathy facilitates diluted remedies created with animal, plant, and mineral substances. Founded on the principles that “like cures like,” this holistic medicine field is not only gaining acceptance in the Western world, but is also finding its way into European and Indian traditional medical universities as part of comprehensive curricula.

Naturopathy is by far, one of the most inclusive holistic medicine systems available today. Naturopathic medicine entails a broad spectrum of natural healing modalities including acupuncture, colon hydrotherapy, environmental medicine, holistic nutritional counseling, chiropractic, homeopathy, herbal medicine, hydrotherapy, and even massage therapy, among other mind/body/spirit medicines. Like all holistic medicine methods, naturopathy is based on the philosophy that takes into account all aspects of life; and the interrelationship of physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. In doing so, natural health treatments are customized to meet the health and wellness needs of the patient as an individual, and not just for the treatment of symptoms.

Massage therapy is a fast-growing holistic medicine in these United States. While it is probably one of the most non-invasive forms of natural health care, it is one of the widely recommended treatments for stress, chronic muscle pain, and other common health issues. Licensed massage therapists generally administer basic forms of bodywork including Swedish massage, deep tissue therapy, and sports massage; however, some holistic medicine practitioners who have received more advanced training, may offer modalities like acupressure, craniosacral therapy, infant/pre-natal massage, myofascial release, Trigger Point therapy, and more. Additionally, some massage therapists may provide reiki and energy healing services.

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What is Holistic Medicine?
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