Holistic health or holistic healing is often defined as a form of healing that looks at the whole person: body, mind, and spirit. This kind of holistic healing often involves multiple complementary medicines and alternative healthcare practices that can overlap with modern-day western medicine, but will go beyond the singular treatment of symptoms to support more than just the body.
Some alternative healthcare practices that often are found within the realm of holistic health are:
– Chiropractic
– Herbalism
– Massage
– Energy work (reiki)
– Therapy
– Yoga/Meditation
– Acupuncture
– Physical therapy
– Nutrition
While people are living longer today, they also are experiencing chronically high levels of stress and fatigue, are consuming nutrient-depleted foods, and are exposed to hundreds of potentially harmful chemically through our air, water, cleaning, and personal care products daily. So to say that holistic health is important would be an understatement.
For many living with chronic disease and undiagnosable symptoms, the modern-day healthcare industry has failed them, and it is time that a more holistic, whole-body solution became a standard part of the way we treat and support the health of the billions of people living on this planet.
Holistic health also takes into account the many external and environmental factors which could be supporting or impacting our overall health and wellness, and with climate change impacting our surrounding environments more and more each day, it is important that we have a systematic way of addressing health in the future.
Wellness is a big, important goal, and it can feel overwhelming. You know you should eat healthier foods, drink more water, hit the gym more often, sleep eight hours a night, give up your vices, and make more time for rest and relaxation. But the busyness of work and life can make it hard to prioritize self-care, and the more you think about what you “should” be doing differently, the more daunting wellness can seem.
Holistic doctors empower you with the education and motivation you need to make better choices. Rather than suggesting a long list of lifestyle changes, they include you in the conversation and help you determine which changes would make the greatest impact on your health. They help you set wellness goals and then provide you with resources — whether that’s a personalized plan or a referral to a specialist.
So, what is holistic health care? It’s about honoring the mind-body connection and treating the whole person, using a variety of clinically proven therapies. It’s about developing a strong relationship with a doctor who is committed to getting you healthy and keeping you that way.