by Roxianne Moore

Created on: March 15, 2007   Last Updated: April 18, 2007

Holistic Health: Treating the Whole Person

Imagine going to the doctor for chronic heartburn, and instead of just writing out a prescription for the latest, greatest medication, she asks you about your lifestyle: What in your life is causing you stress? What can't you stomach? What problems just burn you up?

That's a holistic (or wholistic) approach to medicine. Rather than simply treating symptoms, a holistic practitioner looks at your life, your environment, your attitudes and beliefs. You are treated as a whole person rather than just a set of symptoms.

This approach is becoming more prevalent, even among traditionally-trained physicians. For example, when I suffered from frequent migraines a few years ago, my neurologist asked me many questions about my lifestyle and my home environment. While she ran a lot of tests to make sure there was no organic problem, and prescribed medication to help with the immediate problem of pain control, she also gave one surprising recommendation: go for a 20 minute walk every day. She said the walk would help me to relieve stress, and the exercise would help me to sleep better, as insomnia appeared to be one of my migraine triggers. She recommended more lifestyle changes and limited my medication. The result: I get a migraine once in a while, but usually when I am not taking good care of myself.

As a massage therapist and hypnotherapist, I am interested in alternative medicine for my own health issues, as well as for my clients. When a new client comes to me with muscle spasms or chronic pain, I may recommend some relaxation techniques along with regular massage. Why? Because pain and spasms can often have at least partial relief from simply allowing your body and mind to relax.

Holistic medicine goes to the root of problems, and the end result is true health and wellness, rather than a continual masking of symptoms.

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