These days, we’re all searching for a way to extend and enhance our overall well-being. The good news is that this is now possible. Keep reading to find out more.
Holistic medicine is a form of healing that considers the whole person. More than their body and mind, their spirit and emotions are also taken into account. According to the holistic medicine philosophy, you can achieve optimal health, the primary goal of holistic medicine practice, by gaining proper balance.
A wellness approach that focuses on the whole person elevates overall well-being. Read this comprehensive guide to integrative holistic medicine defined.
What is Integrative Holistic Medicine?
Integrative Medicine is a form of healing-oriented medicine. It takes account of the whole person. This includes every aspect of their lifestyle. A central element of the practice is that it places emphasis on the therapeutic relationship. This relationship between practitioner and patient is critical to its success.
Other important points about integrative medicine are as follows. It’s informed by evidence and makes use of different types of appropriate therapies.
Integrative medicine is generally described as an approach to care that puts the patient at the center. Other important points about integrative medicine are as follows. It’s informed by evidence and makes use of different types of appropriate therapies.
In addition, it leans on an array of scientific disciplines and uses a combination of the most appropriate to help people heal.
When seeking to understand integrative holistic medicine, it’s helpful to note that it’s a philosophy that neither rejects conventional medicine nor accepts alternative therapies uncritically. It’s also based on the recognition that good medicine should be based in good science, and be open to new paradigms.
Integrative medicine aims to make use of natural, less-invasive interventions whenever possible.
What is Integrative Healthcare?
Holistic medicine practitioners are guided by their belief that the whole person is made up of interdependent parts. If one part isn’t working sufficiently, they believe that all the other parts are affected.
Another way to describe this is to say that if people have imbalances (physical, emotional, or spiritual) in their lives, it could negatively affect their overall health.
Due to these beliefs, holistic doctors will use a combination of therapies. These aim to restore their patient back to a healthy balance. A holistic doctor may use all forms of health care, from conventional medication to alternative therapies, to treat a patient.
The best way to explain how integrative healthcare works is with an example. The patient won’t walk away with only a box of pills. Instead, the doctor will assess their overall health, diet, and sleep patterns. Any personal or environmental issues are also taken into consideration.
Guided by their thorough assessment, the treatment plan may involve drugs to help relieve symptoms. But it’ll never use drugs alone. A critical element of this healthcare is that it works to prevent the symptoms from recurring. Lifestyle modifications are recommended to improve holistic well-being. This works to prevent migraines in the future.
Integrative healthcare cherry-picks the best, scientifically validated therapies to provide the best care. In this way, it’s not tied to a particular dogma, Western or Eastern, instead, it’s simply based on a get-the-patient-better philosophy.
Holistic Medicine: Types of Treatments
Every holistic practitioner will operate in their own way. But in general, they’ll use a variety of treatment techniques to help their patient take responsibility for their own health The goal is to help them achieve optimal health. Depending on the practitioner, these may include:
- Complementary and alternative therapies such as chiropractic care, acupuncture, massage therapy, homeopathy, and naturopathy.
- Patient education on self-care and lifestyle changes to promote wellness.
- This may include promoting an exercise regime, diet plan, referring for psychotherapy or relationship and spiritual counseling.
- Western medications and surgical procedures, if needed.
Keep in mind that holistic providers may include medical doctors, naturopathic doctors, doctors of osteopathy, chiropractors, and homeopathic doctors. Of course, these practitioners have varied training and their treatment will differ according to this.
How to Choose a Provider
When it comes to your health, it’s important to do your research and be informed. The last thing you want is to make a quick decision regarding your healthcare. Here are some tips to keep in mind when choosing a holistic provider:
Do your Homework
Firstly, when selecting a holistic doctor, do your research. Find out as much as possible about them. Their training, experience, specialty, and association with professional organizations are all relevant.
Are they board-certified in holistic medicine by a credible medical board? In addition, consider the doctor’s treatment philosophy. Is it similar to your own views?
Are You Comfortable?
The way you feel with your holistic health provider is an integral part of the process.
Does the practitioner make you feel at ease? Are they respectful of your concerns and beliefs? Keep in mind that holistic medicine takes a team approach, involving you and the provider. It’s critical that they’re someone with whom you’d like to work. It’s simple. If they don’t make you feel comfortable and respected, then they’re not right for you.
The Right Questions
Holistic practitioners need to understand you as a whole person. Holistic practitioners need to understand you as a whole person. After all, you’re not just a disease. They’ll have to ask you a bunch of questions, so get ready. The question is, are they asking the right questions?
Questions should include the following. What’s your diet and daily exercise like? What are your sleep patterns? And how do you feel in your intimate relationships?
Treatment Options
When determining a treatment approach, does the wellness plan go beyond pills? It’s critical to ensure the practitioner examines all lifestyle factors. This is in addition to medical factors.
The Next Steps
After reading this article, you should know more about integrative holistic medicine.
It’s clear that these days, medicine is moving toward prevention. Instead of treatment, health professionals are prioritizing a holistic approach. This moves away from even early detection and focuses on preventive practice.
Instead of sticking plasters or painkillers on health problems, we’re focusing on getting to the root cause. This enables us to work toward better understanding ourselves and our bodies.
