Holistic medicine has many supporters and even more opponents, yet it gains increasing popularity year after year. It is not a specific method of healing practices but rather a health philosophy. Whether or not conventional medicine appeals to us, the undeniable fact is that it was practised hundreds of years ago, and some treatment methods are still used today.
What is holistic medicine?
To better understand the essence of holistic medicine, it’s first important to analyse where its name comes from. The term “holistic” derives from the Greek word holos, meaning whole. In medicine, holism is based on viewing a person as one system encompassing body, spirit, mind, and all connections with the external world.
According to the philosophy of holistic medicine, treating a patient should not focus solely on the diseased organ or diagnosed condition, nor should it aim only to alleviate the symptoms of the ailment. The goal should be to reach the root cause of the disease, which can be varied.
In the view of holistic medicine, some diseases, accompanied by persistent symptoms, are not, as some might think, diseases of the body but of the soul. According to this theory, they may result from untreated problems of a psychological nature or solid emotional experiences.
Holistic treatment in the history of medicine
Holistic treatment has a centuries-old history; it is not an invention of the 21st century. In traditional Chinese medicine, a disease is a symptom of a disturbance in the energy flow between the various elements of the whole, which is the person in all aspects of life. Restoring lost balance is supposed to enable the patient to return to health.
The concept of holistic medicine is very similar. The Greek thinker Hippocrates considered the father of holistic medicine, argued that a person’s environment significantly impacts their condition. Moreover, he believed that each clinical case should be considered individually, with due attention, and that the person, not the disease, should be treated.
Holistic medicine – principles
No patient wants to be treated as “just another case” that can be dismissed by prescribing a set of drugs typical for a particular disease. In holistic medicine, the focus is on the person, not what ails them. This is probably why it gains more and more supporters. An individual approach to each case is one of the basic principles of holistic medicine.
Other equally important principles include:
- the patient is a whole – body, mind, soul, and emotions are one unity;
- the patient is a person, not a disease entity;
- the patient actively participates in the treatment process;
- treatment focuses on the cause of the disease, not on alleviating its symptoms;
- balance at all levels of life is the basis of health.
Holistic medicine specialists always consider the whole picture. They devote the right amount of time to getting to know the patient, finding the cause of their problems, and removing it, not just alleviating symptoms, because improper treatment will cause them to return sooner or later.
Treatment methods used in holistic medicine
This raises the question of how holistic treatment is conducted. There are numerous methods. Holistic medicine uses some natural methods, though it fundamentally differs from unconventional medicine in practice.
Holistic medicine specialists use methods such as:
- herbal medicine;
- aromatherapy;
- hydrotherapy;
- acupressure;
- acupuncture;
- homoeopathy;
- leeches therapy;
- chiropractic,
Most importantly, holistic medicine focuses on methods whose effectiveness is scientifically proven, unlike unconventional medicine, where healing practices of unproven efficacy are used.
Methods used in holistic medicine help restore lost harmony in those areas of a patient’s life that cannot be improved through pharmacotherapy. Therefore, some approach it quite sceptically. Either way, with minor differences, holistic medicine should be distinct from alternative medicine.
Benefits of holistic medicine
Like any other treatment method, holistic medicine has its pros and cons. Everything depends on the case. Sometimes, for the patient’s benefit, it is worth reaching for natural remedies whose effectiveness has been confirmed, especially when not struggling with a severe ailment. For instance, if a patient suffers from severe back pain, instead of alleviating the pain with painkillers, it’s better to relieve it with massages, for example.
Some diseases, such as bladder inflammation, can be treated with proven herbs that have diuretic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects, precisely the same as medications prescribed in this case. For skin problems, an aloe compress, natural chamomile tonic, or nettle rinse works well. Only when natural treatment methods do not yield expected results should invasive treatments and drug therapies be considered.
Risks of holistic medicine
As mentioned, holistic medicine is not without flaws. It is hazardous when a patient suffers from a severe illness that directly threatens their life. Patients often experiment with various treatment methods on their
Own and decide on an ineffective method without consulting a doctor, which may temporarily improve their well-being but ultimately will not work. In cases of more severe diseases such as cancer, the consequences of such actions can be irreversible.
Opponents of holistic medicine primarily criticize the temptation to use easy and painless (usually ineffective) treatment methods, which are chosen by people lacking knowledge on how to treat a specific disease. When a patient realizes that the selected therapy does not bring effects, often it’s too late for conventional treatment, as the disease may have progressed. The disease could have been nipped in the bud if appropriate treatment had been started earlier.
Is it worth using holistic medicine?
When choosing a treatment method for a given ailment, it is essential to remain clear-headed. Initially, it’s worth delving into the subject, gathering as much information as possible from various sources about a specific therapy, and then rationally assessing whether its implementation can bring tangible results.
There are situations where conventional medicine fails. The doctor says that all treatment methods have been exhausted. Then holistic medicine can help. But the opposite can also be true. Therefore, we should not limit ourselves to just one treatment approach.
Remember, individual treatment methods can usually be combined. Using them concurrently may bring even better results than using them separately.