Holistic Medicine and It's Benefits

1. Holistic Medicine and It's Benefits Holistic medicine is changing the way that doctors interact with patients for the better. The word “holistic” means “dealing with the whole of something”. So, to take a holistic approach to medicine means to treat the whole person not only physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually as well. For example, if a patient comes in with a stomach ache, a holistic treatment plan would not only include relief from the pain, but also seek to address any underlying causes. What’s the patient’s diet like? Could stress be a factor? In this way, holistic medicine is focused on both treatment and prevention.

2. Holistic Medicine and It's Benefits What is a holistic medicine doctor? A holistic medicine doctor is a physician who considers a patient’s mind, body, and spirit to improve their health and wellness. They are focused on prevention first, and treatment second. Any doctor with a medical degree can practice holistic medicine, but not everyone who practices holistic medicine is a board-certified physician. Some holistic practitioners may call themselves “Doctor” but are not actually licensed to practice traditional medicine.

3. Holistic Medicine and It's Benefits The MindBody Connection: Treating the Whole You At the heart of holistic medicine is the idea of the mind-body connection. Essentially, it means that thoughts and feelings can positively or negatively affect our physical health. Most of the medical advice we receive is focused on the body—eat right, exercise, and get enough sleep. But even if you do all of these things right, stress, anxiety, and depression can still have negative effects on your health. It also works the other way around—a poor physical state can have negative effects on your mental health, too. A holistic doctor takes this complex relationship between mind and body into account to provide a comprehensive treatment plan for their patients.

4. Holistic Medicine and It's Benefits Benefits of a Holistic Approach to Patient Care When physicians apply a holistic approach to their daily practice, there are a number of benefits for both patients and doctors alike. Personalized Care Holistic medicine considers all of the elements of a patient’s health, not just their physical symptoms. This helps doctors to make more personalized recommendations. A Relationship Based on Trust Holistic doctors take an empathetic approach to care and treat patients as individuals, not just a list of symptoms on a clipboard. This philosophy helps to create a patient-doctor relationship based on trust.

5. Holistic Medicine and It's Benefits Patient Empowerment. The holistic approach to care empowers patients to take control of their own health and wellness. Everyone knows that they should eat healthier and exercise more, but actually committing to a wellness plan is difficult. Holistic doctors understand this. Instead of listing off recommendations, they include the patient in the conversation to find out what lifestyle changes work best for them.

6. Holistic Medicine and It's Benefits • Types of Holistic Treatments • Holistic care is a philosophy that encompasses a variety of treatment techniques. In addition to modern pharmaceutical treatments, a holistic doctor may recommend alternative treatments depending on the individual patient’s needs, such as: • Massage therapy • Mental health counseling • Acupuncture • Nutrition counseling • Meditation • Yoga • Western herbal medicine

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