Holistic medicine is the term for health systems that treat the patient as a whole rather than just treating the illness. Holistic practitioners consider all aspects of a person, including the mind, body, and spirit, with the goal of keeping these aspects in balance. Holistic medicine focuses on preventing health problems just as much as treating them. When treating illnesses, practitioners look for underlying causes as well as treating symptoms.
Holistic medicine focuses on natural remedies such as herbs, minerals and essential oils and therapies that focus on the body’s natural healing ability. There are various holistic health systems throughout the world, including Chinese medicine, naturopathic medicine, and homeopathy; however, not all alternative or natural therapies are holistic in nature.
Holistic practices
The following holistic practices are some of the most widely used remedies and therapies used by practitioners of holistic medicine.
Chiropractic therapy
Chiropractors use carefully-applied force to adjust the spine and other joints of the body to enable improved posture, better motion in the joints, reduced pain and more relaxed muscles. Treatments can also include ultrasound, heat or electrical stimulation to relax the muscles. Some chiropractors also practice nutrition, exercise, and physical therapy.
Chinese herbal medicine
Chinese herbology is an ancient practice dating back thousands of years. Though herbology mainly refers to botany, many of the ingredients come from animal and mineral sources. There are thousands of cataloged ingredients used in Chinese herbology for a wide variety of treatments and health benefits.
The philosophy of Chinese herbology is based on the theories of Yin and Yang. The treatments strive to improve health and well-being by achieving a balance of these two forces within the patient. Another goal in Chinese herbology is to improve the flow of vital life energy called Qi, or Chi. China still uses herbal medicine as part of their healthcare system, and many hospitals in western medicine are adopting herbal medicines as well.
Acupuncture and acupressure
Acupuncture and acupressure are therapies used to stimulate specific points on the body. This type of therapy uses hair-thin needles to puncture the skin, while acupressure therapists use their fingers to apply pressure. The goal of these therapies is to find points on the body and use punctures or pressure to restore the flow.
These therapies prompt the body’s own ability to heal itself, and they’re used to improve a wide variety of ailments. You can self-administer acupressure for minor problems like motion sickness or nausea. More chronic health conditions like insomnia or migraine headaches should use acupuncture treat them.
Medicinal clay
The use of medicinal clay goes back to the prehistoric era. Today, health spas use clay therapies for various health benefits. Clay is often applied externally as clay masks or baths, but it can also be ingested to treat some ailments. Clay mask Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay can be purchased online and used in the home.
Using clay to treat ailments such as heart disease, autism, and digestive problems has been around for hundreds of years. The NASA space program has used clay to mitigate the loss of bone density in astronauts exposed to low gravity for extended periods of time.
How to find holistic practitioners
Holistic practitioners are not only alternative medicine providers, but they also include medical doctors, psychotherapists, and chiropractors. You can find a holistic provider by searching online at the Holistic Medical Association website. When choosing a holistic provider, you should do some research. Find about the practitioner’s credentials, and find out if the provider offers a range of treatments to improve overall health.