Many people in the West are uncomfortable with the idea of holistic medicine. We live in a very pharmaceutical society. How far can you take natural remedies?
The answer will depend on both the condition you are trying to address and your level of commitment. No, you shouldn’t replace your heart medication with dried beat root. Yes, you should look into treatment approaches that do more than just address your symptoms.
In this article, we take a look at why a holistic approach is key to addressing health issues effectively.
What is Holistic Medicine?
The basic premise of holistic medicine is that it acknowledges the complexity of human health. In Western medicine, symptoms often get more attention than their underlying cause. Here’s a simple example. Two men are experiencing chronic headaches. One of them begins to take Advil. He achieves relief when the medicine is at the height of its power. Otherwise, he is generally uncomfortable.
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The other man takes a look at his habits and routine. He realizes that he doesn’t sleep enough and that he has been drinking too much caffeine. Also, he’s pretty much always in front of a screen. He goes to bed earlier. Because he is sleeping more, he needs less coffee. He can’t untether from his work computer but he can spend less time on his phone. That, coupled with lunchtime walks has given him a new lease on life. His headaches are gone and he feels a lot better in general.
This shows two very different ways to handle health. The first man only treats the pain. He doesn’t fix what causes it. The medicine helps for a while. Then the pain comes back.
The second man looks at his whole life. He finds many things that cause his headaches. He fixes these things one by one. He sleeps more. He drinks less coffee. He takes breaks from screens. He goes for walks. His headaches stop. He also feels better in other ways.
Holistic doctors look at all parts of your life. They check your diet. They ask about stress. They look at how much you move. They think about where you live and work. They care about how you feel emotionally. They see you as a whole person, not just as a set of symptoms.
Why it Matters
The big benefit here is that holistic medicine focuses on making self-sustaining changes. Sometimes that isn’t adequate. A person with congenitally high cholesterol, for example, may just need a statin— it doesn’t matter if he eats vegan, sleeps twelve hours a day, and takes a well-rounded blend of organic supplements. Genetics are genetics.
Even where Western medicine is necessary, however, holistic practices can be an excellent supplementary service. In the cholesterol example, a person might take their prescribed statin medication to directly lower their cholesterol levels. At the same time, they could also follow holistic approaches like eating heart-healthy foods, exercising regularly, managing stress, and getting enough sleep. These lifestyle changes won’t replace the needed medication, but they can help it work better. They might even allow for lower doses over time. The holistic practices also bring other benefits like better overall heart health, improved energy, and reduced inflammation.
This combined approach gives the best results. The medicine handles the genetic issue that diet and lifestyle alone can’t fix. The holistic practices support whole-body health and might help prevent other problems. Together, they treat both the specific condition and the whole person.
Other Forms of Personalized Care
Occupying a similar space is faith-based medicine. Faith-based medicine combines religious values with traditional Western health responses. Doctors and nurses who have attained this certification are held to the same medical standards as secular healthcare workers. They simply have the added ability to weave faith into the conversation. This can go a long way toward making patients feel more comfortable with the care they are receiving. Optimism and commitment from the patient are both important factors in determining healthcare outcomes.
These healthcare workers get special training in spiritual care. They learn this alongside their medical training. They can address a patient’s spiritual needs during treatment. This matters for people whose faith affects their healthcare choices. A faith-based doctor might include prayer with medical care. They might discuss religious texts. They could offer spiritual guidance along with medical advice.
Studies show that spiritual care can improve patient satisfaction. It may also help with healing. Patients feel better when their beliefs are respected. They may feel less worried. They might handle illness better. They often follow treatment plans more closely.
Many hospitals now offer faith-based options. They know that for many patients, spiritual health connects to physical health. These services exist alongside regular medical care. When it comes to serving the needs of the most vulnerable segments of the population, it helps to customize care as much as possible. Holistic responses and faith based nursing are two ways to do this.
How Hard is it to Find Holistic Services?
It can admittedly be a little tricky in the United States. While some hospitals will purposefully weave these practices into their care routine, many more will not. You can always consult outside professionals. However, you do need to worry about seeking too much advice.
It’s possible to get yourself into a dangerous situation by trying to complement the wisdom of the person who owns your favorite supplement store with the advice you are getting from your doctor. When it comes to major choices, err in the direction of the professional who knows you the best. They will make recommendations specific to your health records. For other matters, definitely consider optimizing your diet, exercise, and other habits in a holistic manner.
