Holistic Health – What is Holistic Health?

Historically, conventional medicine has been the forerunner in treating illness and disease. This type of medicine frequently treats the symptoms via drugs or surgery. The problem? It rarely addresses other contributing factors – such as mental, spiritual, and emotional aspects. It also fails to look at the body as a whole.

For instance, stress may cause widespread inflammation in the body. In turn, it may contribute to a variety of health problems. If the causes of the stress are not addressed, the individual may never find optimal health again.

Today, holistic medicine is taking over. More and more healthcare professionals are accounting for aspects relating to holistic health.

But what is holistic health exactly?

Let us explain.

Holistic Health Treats the Patient as a Person – Not Just a Disease

Various factors contribute to optimal health. According to the holistic health perspective, overall health is based on overall wellbeing. In other words, holistic health is not based on the absence of disease or symptoms. It is based on the balance of the mind, body, spirit, and emotions as a whole.

Everything in the body is connected. When one piece of the machine is broken, it inevitably impacts other parts.

For example…

If you break your leg, it may impact other parts of your body. Your opposite leg compensates for your broken leg. Weakness in the affected leg may also cause issues with other structures. When you start to walk again, your hip may ache as it tries to help move the weak and previously-injured leg.

Problems with the hip may create back issues. It may further create a certain amount of emotional stress – especially if you were an active individual before the injury. You can’t exercise as you did before. Depending on your job, you may not be able to work. It is a multifaceted issue.

Another example involves an individual with depression. Their mental illness hinders their physical health. They may turn to unhealthy food or possibly not eat at all. Perhaps they stop taking care of their body. Maybe they stay in bed all day and do not take part in enough movement or exercise. Consequently, their immune system becomes suppressed. They begin to fall ill frequently. Doctors attempt to treat the symptoms of the illness. However, the cause is untreated depression.

Holistic health works to address each aspect of the human machine. In a holistic health approach, the emotional stress caused by your broken leg would also be addressed. The mental illness leading to physical illness would be considered.

Essentially, recovery would come down to restoring balance in the emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects. The causes and reasoning behind the symptoms are taken into account. Healthcare practitioners work with the person as a partnership – rather than viewing the person as solely a disease.

Holistic Health Supports the Body’s Natural Healing Abilities

Drugs and surgery aren’t necessarily the first go-to for obtaining optimal health and wellbeing. Lifestyle changes are often able to offer the same relief as certain drugs. And these changes use the body’s own abilities to optimize health.

Luckily today, many doctors are starting to recommend lifestyle changes to treat symptoms relating to heart disease or diabetes. The body is simply out of balance.

For instance, excess weight causes an array of imbalances throughout the body. Yet, exercise and a proper diet go a long way in fixing related health issues. These factors use the body to their advantage. They create an environment that promotes good health and wellbeing. By doing so a number of health problems are alleviated.

Holistic Health is the Future of Healthcare

Healthcare professionals are realizing the positive impact of viewing the body as a whole. And it does not necessarily exclude conventional medicine practices.

Instead, holistic health involves a combined approach. Treating a person with borderline diabetes may involve a low dose of a certain medication. It may also involve reinforcing specific lifestyle changes – such as movement and a healthy diet – to reduce their risk of eventually developing diabetes.

Alternative medicine is further part of this holistic view – including massage therapy, acupuncture, and dietary supplementation.

Essentially, holistic health is the integration of the best healthcare practices to restore balance and integrity within the body. It further holds the person responsible for their own health. It involves a positive outlook and state of being – which are the responsibilities of each individual.

Holistic healthcare is the future. Today, healthcare practitioners communicate with each other more than ever before – giving way to a more comprehensive system. This system further focuses on prevention as well as treatment.

Holistic health could even be considered an approach to your own life. Practice positive thinking and self-care. Look after your body via proper diet and exercise. Take time to mentally unwind when you need it. Become more in tune with yourself. In turn, you’ll become a more healthier and happier person – and you’ll lead a fuller and longer life.