What is Holistic Medicine?
If you’ve ever asked yourself this question, you’re in the right place. According to WebMD “Holistic medicine is a form of healing that considers the whole person -- body, mind, spirit, and emotions -- in the quest for optimal health and wellness.” But what does this really mean when it comes to modern medicine? How do medical practitioners implement a holistic approach into their practice? It’s not as far-fetched as it may sound.
The Origins of Holistic Medicine
Holistic medicine has been around for centuries. Dating back all the way to 300 BCE, the famous physician Hippocrates was teaching his students how to show patients how to live holistically in order to achieve balance and health within their lives.
Many researchers consider Asia to be the birthplace of holistic medicine. According to Duquesne University, China and India both have a history of holistic medicine that was passed down from word-of-mouth long before written records became commonplace. In fact, India is home to one of the world’s oldest medical systems called Ayurvedic.
Ayurvedic medicine was a system of medicine that included products from the earth such as animal products, metals, minerals, and plants that the patient would consume in conjunction with an individualized treatment plan concerning diet, lifestyle, and exercise (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health).
Traditional vs Holistic Medical Practitioners
Traditional doctors tend to treat the symptoms of an illness or disease once they have already presented themselves. This is where holistic medical practitioners differ; they believe in treating the body and mind as one to prevent illness and disease before it manifests within the body. Holistic medical practitioners also believe in finding the root of the illness or disease in order to prevent the recurrence of the ailment in the future.
The Evolution of Holistic Medicine
Holistic medicine has evolved from the days of consuming deadly amounts of metal in an attempt to stave off the common flu. With modern medicine and constant research from medical professionals, holistic medicine has once again become a popular form of treatment. Holistic medicine is becoming an increasingly popular approach to healthcare with those who wish to reduce their dependence on addictive drugs, those with mental health disorders such as depression, those with autoimmune diseases, and more.
According to ModernHolisticHealth.com, there are several popular types of holistic medicine used today. These include:
- Acupuncture- a practice that originated in China that is comprised of the insertion of thin needles into specific areas of the body in order to alleviate pain or balance an individual’s energy.
- Aromatherapy- the inhalation of essential oils in order to cure mild ailments of the body, mind, and spirit.
- Chiropractic- a pseudoscientific system of integrative medicine that focuses on diagnosis and treatment of mechanical disorders concerning the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine.
- Ayurvedic Healing- although mentioned in the origins section of holistic medicine, ayurvedic healing is still popular today amongst those who look to purify their internal being through diet and more for a well-balanced lifestyle.
- Dietary supplements- perhaps the easiest way to integrate holistic medicine into your life, dietary supplements consist of taking vitamins, herbs, minerals, and more in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle.
Implementing Holistic Medicine into Your Life Today
There are plenty of ways to integrate more holistic medicine into your daily routine. Perhaps the most common and effective way is to find a brand of dietary supplements that are well-researched and tested by medical professionals. This is why Agape Nutrition created our own brand of supplements, Protocols for Health, with the intent of developing the most scientifically researched supplements to introduce consumers to a more holistic take on health.
Explore our line of products that work to balance the body and mind in order to best treat you as a person, and not just a symptom.