What is holistic approach to treating patients?

"It is more important to know what sort of person has a disease than to know what sort of disease a person has."~ Hippocrates (460-377 B.C.)

Almost all prescribed drug and over-the-counter treatments cover symptoms or alter the way our organs or circulatory system works. It is believed by many that drugs almost never deal with the reasons why health problems exist, while they are known to sometimes create new side effects and health problems inside the human body. The fast growing awareness in people about the limitations of conventional medicine has led them towards alternative systems of treatment to cure themselves.

The holistic method of treatment incorporates the physical, mental, spiritual and emotional health of an individual. It establishes a connection between body, mind, environment and spirit. This form of healing comprises of a wide variety of therapies with innately complex philosophies about the treatment and prevention of illness.

Holistic treatment

The main objective of holistic treatment is to cure the main problem by improving the immune system and increasing overall health. The holistic gurus believe that the method automatically alleviates secondary illnesses without treatment by strengthening the immune system. Holistic therapy tries to eradicate the main cause of the disease. The entire treatment is created keeping the patient in mind.

Holistic approach

There are mainly three methodologies to holistic care: alternative medicine, complementary medicine, and integrative medicine. Alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medical treatments while complimentary medicine includes conventional medicinal treatment in combination with holistic treatments. Integrative medicine, on the other hand, combines mainstream medicinal therapy with holistic treatments.

Five major categories of holistic healing

Holistic therapies can be divided into five main categories.

• Mind-body intervention: the intervention makes use of several techniques that increase the ability of the mind to influence physical healing. The most popular mind-body intervention techniques include cognitive behavioral therapy and patient support groups. Other therapies include prayer, meditation, mental healing through creative outlets such as music, dance or art.
• Alternative medicine: this includes naturopathic and homeopathic medicine. Non-western systems comprise of Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine.
• Biologically-based therapies: these treatments make use of substances found in nature such as foods, vitamins and herbs.
• Manipulative methods: this uses manipulation or movement of one or more parts of the body. Examples include: osteopathic manipulation, chiropractics and massage.
• Energy therapies: there are mainly two kinds of energy therapies, bio-electromagnetic and bio-field therapies.

Alternative healing is a set of diverse health care practices, systems and products that are not considered a part of conventional medicine. The method has certainly revolutionized the health care industry. Several doctors are incorporating complementary medicine because of its effectiveness, safety, and its ability to clear the path towards inner freedom. There are numerous professionals in California that use holistic methods. One of the best ways to find out about such clinics is to search online.