Holistic Medicine Essay, Research Paper

In a lot of conditions, medical cures and treatments have proven more harmful than the disease itself. In looking for other options, people all over the world have been turning back to the holistic way of health and healing.

Holistic medicine is the art and science of healing the WHOLE person, or in holistic terms, the mind body and spirit. The practice of holistic medicine integrates conventional and alternative therapies to prevent and treat diseases and promote optimal health. This condition of holistic health is defined as the ultimate free flow of life energy force throughout the mind, body, and spirit.

As I mentioned before, three parts make up the whole person. Based on a common law of nature, whole parts are made up of independent parts.

The body, which is treated and cared for through nutritional medicine, fitness medicine, and environmental medicine. The mind (mental and emotional health) which is basically behavioral medicine. The spirit is treated with spiritual attunement and social health. When one of these three parts isn?t functioning correctly or is impaired for some reason, the other parts of the person are affected. For example, a person growing nervous or anxious about an upcoming exam can literally give themselves a headache or stomachache.

Even Socrates, one of the greatest philosophers in history of time said in order for the whole of a person to be well, the individual parts must be well also. This can be achieved by many things.

For example, acupuncture is used to identify and treat disease and improve well being. During acupuncture, needles are inserted into the meridian points of the body. Sickness occurs when the flow of blood or ?chi? is blocked at these points. The pressure applied to these points relieves blockage and buildup thus leaving the patient feeling better. Acupuncture can treat anything from allergies, headaches, sinus infections, stress, insomnia and chronic pain. For those people who don?t enjoy needles or wont tolerate needles at all there is colorpuncture. Colorpuncture is basically acupuncture without needles.

Meditation is another accepted form of holistic health. Meditation is using different methods of relaxation to calm yourself and make you healthier inside. Candles, salves, oils and incense are all commonly used during meditation. Meditation is an accepted form of recovery and health promotion in the medical field.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing is yet another form of holistic healing. This helps remove conflict and stress from your life and promote success and happiness.

Reflexing and resetting is the vibrating and stimulation of the body?s reflexes. It is most commonly done through the feet and can help with sleep disorders.

Biofeedback is recognizing and manipulating the body?s signals. It helps to treat migraines, panic attacks, anxiety, hypertension, and A.D.D.

Some of the most common methods of holistic healing are resurfacing just about everywhere. Aromatherapy is therapy using scents to relax the mind, body, and soul. There is a line of products in Wal-Mart now called ?aromatherapy? and even well known companies such as Delia?s manufacture aromatherapy pillows.

Chiropractors are a readily accepted form of holistic treatment. Chiropractors manipulate the body?s muscles and bones to relieve pain and stress.

Massage and is a big part of holistic life. There are deep tissue massages, Swedish massages etc? All of which help muscular posture, balance, stress reduction, increase of circulation and energy flow.

Nutrtiion is also an important part in a holistic lifestyle. Health food stores such as GNC are popping up everywhere. With nutritionists come herbalists who also deal with weight management and vitamins.

There is holistic dentistry which is generally mercury free and has less exposure to x-ray?s and harmful chemicals.

There is even Holistic Veterinary care which treats pets in the same way as humans. Pets said to be lost cases are sometimes revived by this form of veterinary care. Anything from arthritis, skin infections, and allergies can be cured.

Feng Shui is not as common in the US yet. It is Chinese consultancy in arrangement of objects in the home or office to achieve harmony. It is said your outer world is a mirror of your inner world. Lots of water fountains are used.

Spiritual Psychics, Astrologists, Child Birth, Tai Chi, Yoga, even health and beauty are all reviving to holistic methods.

These different treatments all fall under the six specialized areas of holistic healing

1. Bimolecular Diagnosis and Therapy

2. Botanical medicine

3. Energy Medicine

4. Ethan-Medicine

5. Homeopathy

6. Manual Medicine

Basically a holistic lifestyle is trying to unite your body with gravity and your heart with your mind. Once all your parts are in harmony, for example the ying and yang, you can achieve perfect health. In my opinion the holistic way of life is a very interesting way of life that really intrigues me. I would like to acquire the skills and self-control some of these methods call for. Some methods really don?t appeal to me, for example acupuncture, but other methods such as meditation, aromatherapy, reflexology, and feng shui, are all valid forms of the holistic way of life that would definitely be of interest to me. Although some people think that this way of life is crazy etc, I think it is helpful and important in every day life. Just about everyone can practice this lifestyle in the easiest of ways. Although many people do not believe in the holistic way of life, even more people are firm followers of these concepts and it is sure to be an evergrowing idea that lasts for generations to come.