DEFINITION OF HOLISTIC MEDICINE

Holistic medicine is a system of health care which fosters a cooperative relationship among all those involved, leading towards optimal attainment of the physical, mental emotional, social and spiritual aspects of health.

"It emphasizes the need to look at the whole person, including analysis of physical, nutritional, environmental, emotional, social, spiritual and lifestyle values. It encompasses all stated modalities of diagnosis and treatment including drugs and surgery if no safe alternative exists. Holistic medicine focuses on education and responsibility for personal efforts to achieve balance and well being."

Other terms used for Holistic Medicine include Alternative Medicine, Complementary Medicine, and Natural Healing. Alternative Healing usually refers to various non-invasive, non-drug therapies that may or may not be fully accepted by the mainstream medical establishment as valid. These can include acupuncture, herbal medicine, Homeopathy, Reiki, and a number of others. As these techniques become increasingly popular among the general public, the medical establishment has no choice but to accept them, too.

Complementary Medicine is a term sometimes used by conventional medical doctors to refer to alternative techniques used in tandem with traditional allopathic medicine. For instance, a patient may be treated with drugs and surgery initially, but acupuncture, herbs, and a vegetarian diet may be used to help with pain management afterwards and preventative maintenance for the future. The term Complementary Medicine implies that the conventional treatments are the primary source of care, while the alternative treatments are added to assist the primary treatment.

A program of Holistic Healing usually involves a combination of a number of different health strategies working together, each supporting the others to create a synergy. Different elements might include improved diet and nutritional therapy, yoga, stress relief, herbal medicine, meditation, proper exercise, plenty of sleep, healthy relationships, and avoiding toxic environments.

Environmental toxins are a danger that most people are not sufficiently aware of. There can be invisible toxins in your carpeting, flouride in your drinking water, chemicals in your milk, and mercury in your dental fillings. There are plenty of resources, both offline and online, explaining these Holistic Medicine strategies in greater detail.

Author Details: Health Wise Tips