The Birth of Holistic Medicine…
Let us start with a joke.
Person 1: “What is a holistic dentist?” Person 2: “It is a dentist that puts holes in your teeth…”It is not an especially funny joke, but it really does bring up some interesting questions…
- What does holistic mean?
- What makes something holistic?
- When was the birth of holistic care?
- Am I living a holistic life?
- Are you living a holistic life?
Holistic medicine as defined by the American Holistic Medical Association (AMHA) as “the art and science of healing that addresses care to the whole person – body, mind and spirit. The practice of holistic medicine integrate conventional and complementary therapies to promote optimal health, and prevent and treat disease by addressing contributing factors.”
Holistic medicine is often referred to under other names, such as Alternative Medicine, Complementary Medicine or Alternative Healing.
That sounds pretty great, doesn’t it?
A healthcare provider that will consider the whole system rather than one little part of it.
A provider that with not just put their patient on blood pressure medicine and send them out the door.
A provider that will actually have a conversation with their patient about ways to reduce stress and eat more healthfully so as to help the blood pressure become under control naturally.
You know, back to that dude Hippocrates, the father of medicine…
That guy had some pretty good ideas about letting “food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”
That is a pretty great concept… so much better than jumping right into pharmaceuticals and staying on them for life (and death).
Why would you want to stay on medicine for your entire life?
Even the pharmacist will tell you that pharmaceuticals are low-grade poison. This is not a secret.
[ctt template=”8″ link=”vK078″ via=”yes” ]Many drugs can contribute to nutritional deficiencies, organ damage and a host of other problems.[/ctt]
You know this to be true because when you pick up a prescription your pharmacist gives you a long print out specifying much of the damage that the so-called wonder drug can cause.
Now, I am not saying do not ever use medicine. If I said that I would be a hypocrite. When I cannot turn to my other options I use medicine.
[ctt template=”8″ link=”bT5s6″ via=”yes” ]In my opinion truly good health care is created with a symbiotic relationship between holistic and allopathic doctors, medicines and treatments.[/ctt]
I believe that we must turn to nature to try to attend to all of our needs before we turn to other more damaging options.
The practice of holistic health care can be traced back to the ancients.
When we think of the practical approach to holistic healthcare we can realize that it is basically everything that allopathic healthcare is not.
Allopathic practices are what is usually referred to as conventional medicine. However, allopathic medicine is certainly not traditional medicine.
I look forward to the day when more conventional healthcare providers recognize the role that clean living, clean food, great herbal support and other practices can have on our life expectancy and enjoyment.
I see changes from when I was younger and I am sure that our children will see many more changes.
As to whether, or not, you live a holistic life…only you can answer.
I encourage you to find your own personal comfort level and enjoy your own holistic journey.
Oh, and by the way, a holistic dentist is a dentist that is looking beyond the idea that good dental health simply means having an absence from diseases. They are, in fact, looking to use modalities other than those taught in most dental schools. The holistic dentist will avoid using toxic substances as much as is possible and can remove your mercury amalgam, or silver fillings. This toxic material is known to harm the immune system.
So now you know….
What are your thoughts on the matter? Please share in the comments.
16 thoughts on “The Birth of Holistic Medicine”
Its a much better approach to health than running to a regular doctor for a pill. Our bodies are miracles and if you provide what it needs it can do miraculous things to heal itself. Thank you for the reminder.
I could not agree more.
A favorite quote of mine, “The doctor of the future will no longer treat the human frame with drugs, but rather will cure and prevent disease with nutrition.”
-Thomas Edison
I couldn’t agree more with a holistic and more natural approach. Great read.
That is another wonderful quote. I so believe it to be the right way.
What an excellent resource! I wish a holistic approach to out body was main stream! I’ve had some health issues and I’ve really had to advocate for myself and say “no” to more medicine and try tor regulate it by eating super clean and going to the chiropractor.
Advocating for yourself is really the only way to get everything that you need.
I am a fan of holistic healing methods, but being chronically ill with a number of conditions I can’t stay away from pharmaceuticals. I always wish I had doctors who employed holistic methods as well, though I am lucky that I have a physical therapist who looks into every aspect of my health; which has proved extremely helpful! Instead of trying to fix a joint that’s misbehaving, we look into what is the cause and how to help myself in the future if i experience issues with it – discussing everything from yoga to diet to massage!
You are a perfect example of why I believe in the partnership of allopathic and naturopathic. Clearly you need both and clearly both have been of help.
This article is awesome. I am all about alternative health. Keep up the great work!
Thank you very much.
I love the idea of holistic medicine and was so grateful when I finally decided to go to a naturopath. She did a holistic evaluation of my health and decided all of these little things I was battling had a much bigger culprit – an underlying thyroid contain. My family doctor thought she was nuts and I finally talked him into a full blood panel and SURPRISE she was right. Now I take one pill a day instead of 4-5 different pills because someone finally looked at the entire picture. I really think many traditional western medicine practitioners fail to look at that big picture
Unfortunately, many do. I will say that I think insurance is much of the culprit of the problem. Naturopaths do not operate with that same operating cost.
So excited to follow you. I’m very interested in learning more and love how you present your thoughts and information.
Thank you very much. I truly appreciate that feedback.
I try very hard for my kids and myself to not be on medicines. I totally agree that they can ruin a lot of your body. I have never heard of a holistic dentist until now. Sounds amazing.
I think you are on the right path. There is a time and place for pharmaceuticals but if you can do it naturally then that is a great option.