A Holistic Approach to Life
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"The physician treats, but nature heals." Hippocrates
THE HOLISTIC APPROACH
By definition, the word "holistic" means: "relating to or concerned with wholes or complete systems rather than with the analysis of, treatment of, or dissection into parts -- medicine which attempts to treat both the mind and the body." As such, true holistic therapies must include more than just a set of symptoms to be addressed. They must consider the WHOLE being, whether human or animal, including the emotional, mental, and physical (both internal and external) environments in which they exist. Some examples of holistic approaches include Herbalism, Homeopathy, Acupuncture, TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), and Ayurveda (an ancient approach from India). The modern medical model largely views the body as a collection of pieces and parts to be assessed in isolation rather than as a working unit. Symptoms are viewed as disease, and treatment is aimed at suppressing rather than eliminating those symptoms. In the Holistic view, symptoms are regarded as the body's expression of imbalance and an attempt to return to homeostasis (a state of equilibrium). Mere suppression of these symptoms is likened to telling your body, "Shut-up--I'm not interested in what you have to say." Suppression of acute symptoms is believed to result in new, more serious problems in other areas. Treatment consists of supporting and assisting the body to heal itself by seeking out and eliminating the underlying cause(s) of the problem, whether physical, behavioral, environmental, etc., or some combination thereof.
This is not to say that you should shun allopathic medicine; indeed it is very useful, even life-saving. There are many situations where allopathic drugs and other treatments are necessary, and some where they are the only reasonable option. In such cases, alternative therapies can serve to support the body and lessen side effects.
"The physician treats, but nature heals." Hippocrates
THE HOLISTIC APPROACH
By definition, the word "holistic" means: "relating to or concerned with wholes or complete systems rather than with the analysis of, treatment of, or dissection into parts -- medicine which attempts to treat both the mind and the body." As such, true holistic therapies must include more than just a set of symptoms to be addressed. They must consider the WHOLE being, whether human or animal, including the emotional, mental, and physical (both internal and external) environments in which they exist. Some examples of holistic approaches include Herbalism, Homeopathy, Acupuncture, TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), and Ayurveda (an ancient approach from India). The modern medical model largely views the body as a collection of pieces and parts to be assessed in isolation rather than as a working unit. Symptoms are viewed as disease, and treatment is aimed at suppressing rather than eliminating those symptoms. In the Holistic view, symptoms are regarded as the body's expression of imbalance and an attempt to return to homeostasis (a state of equilibrium). Mere suppression of these symptoms is likened to telling your body, "Shut-up--I'm not interested in what you have to say." Suppression of acute symptoms is believed to result in new, more serious problems in other areas. Treatment consists of supporting and assisting the body to heal itself by seeking out and eliminating the underlying cause(s) of the problem, whether physical, behavioral, environmental, etc., or some combination thereof.
This is not to say that you should shun allopathic medicine; indeed it is very useful, even life-saving. There are many situations where allopathic drugs and other treatments are necessary, and some where they are the only reasonable option. In such cases, alternative therapies can serve to support the body and lessen side effects.