We see the terms Holistic Medicine and Alternative Medicine a lot on the Internet today. They seem to be used interchangeably. However, do you really understand the meaning of the terms? What is Holistic Medicine and how is it different from Traditional Medicine? It can be confusing.
The terms traditional, allopathic, or conventional refer to the type of medicine practiced in the Western world. This approach to health is relatively new in human history when compared to the Chinese healing arts of 5000 years ago. Traditional medicine is scientific-based medicine. You must have data, you must have proof, and you must be able to show your proof in a laboratory setting.
Traditional Medicine believes something physical is present to cause disease, like a virus or a bacterium, and you must be treated for that disease by a prescription drug or, if necessary, surgery in order to get better.
The Holistic Approach to Health Care is quite different. This philosophy states that you become sick when emotional, psychological, or spiritual stresses overwhelm and weaken the immune system. Holistic Medicine works by finding the cause of the stress in the patient's life, helping the patient cope with that stress, and supporting the body's natural healing process with things like proper nutrition, herbal supplementation, and other non-invasive techniques. The treatment always boosts the body's natural ability to heal itself.
Some refer to Holistic Medicine as Alternative Medicine, as in an alternative to traditional medicine. According to Carolyn Myss and Norman Shealy in their book Creation of Health, the term alternative should actually apply to the various techniques used in the Holistic Health field, such as Acupuncture, Massage Therapy, and Medical Herbalist.
The term Holistic does not refer to a technique. It is an approach to health and healing that emphasizes the connection between mind, body, and spirit. The body is treated as a whole, with each state working in tandem with the others.
The Holistic approach empowers the patient to accept responsibility for his/her own health and treatment. The healthcare provider forms a partnership with the patient so that together they can develop the best possible treatment plan for the patient.
Holistic Health requires a commitment to the healing process. It is not a quick fix; pop a pill, and go home. You are cured. It is a continuous striving toward optimal health, not just the absence of sickness.
Traditional medical doctors often refer to the alternative techniques they use in their practice, like Physical Therapy or Massage Therapy, as complementary to the drug and surgical procedures they regularly use. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a branch of the National Institutes of Health, has gathered compelling evidence of how well Holistic Health techniques work in treating disease and promoting health and well-being.
As more and more people search for alternatives to prescription drugs and surgery, Holistic Medicine and its natural remedies will continue to offer safe and effective treatments. Traditional Medicine will always be the major player in emergency care and acute, life-threatening illnesses. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide which treatment option is best for his or her needs.
Herb medicine online is helping others discover the benefits of Holistic Health and Healing by writing about the various alternatives to traditional medicine. You can find out more by visiting her website at Herb Medicine Online.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Holistic Medicine or Traditional Medicine?
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