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What is holistic medicine? This is a medical philosophy and practice based on the idea that the body has the ability to heal itself. Holistic medicine views symptoms of illness as normal responses of the body as it tries to heal. This type of practice strives to helps people to achieve balance and well being, including physical, environmental, mental, emotional, spiritual and social health. The desired affect is to add to the healing of ourselves and our planet.

People often use yoga, meditation, and other complementary practices to improve wellness and quality of life. More and more people across the US are turning to holistic medicine to help treat a variety of conditions from hot flashes to high blood pressure. There are a variety of practices based on holistic medicine philosophy. Some of these include:

Mind-Body Interventions

Aromatherapy
Guided imagery
Humor therapy
Hypnosis
Light therapy
Meditation
Music therapy
Yoga

Biologically Based Therapies

These therapies use natural substances to treat illnesses. They include foods, vitamins, and both herbal and non herbal dietary supplements.

Antioxidants
Capsaicin
Chamomile
Chromium
Ginko biloba
Milk thistle
Glucosamine and chondroitin
Hydrotherapy

Energy Therapies

There are two types of energy therapies, both of which involve the use of energy fields. The use of biofield therapies affect the energy fields in and around the human body. Magnetic-based therapies electromagnetic fields used to affect the body like those from magnets or electric current.

Acupuncture
Healing touch
Reiki
Magnetic field therapy
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulations

The majority of holistic practitioners emphasize that the body is capable of self repair given appropriate conditions.
Holistic approaches

Each individual is unique
In order to restore health scientific, artistic, and spiritual insights are applied
If you don't believe that life has meaning and purpose your health may deteriorate
When you become sick opportunities for positive change and new balance in your life will arise

Your holistic practitioner will create a healing prescription that modifies your lifestyle, dietary change, and exercise as well as a specific treatment. Therefore you may receive counseling, an exercise plan, breathing and relaxation techniques, dietary advice, and a list of herbs that you should take all at the same time. This approach allows you the opportunity to deal with the whole package with your complete self not just the illness or symptoms individually unlike conventional medicine.

Conventional medicine is comfortable for most people and effective in treating disease and illnesses. But it doesn't focus on preventative health or support natural, less invasive methods. When it comes to your health, you're in charge, and only you know what you are feeling. If you have an illness and don't agree with the treatment whether it's conventional or alternative, don't ignore your body's wisdom. This is the time that you should try holistic medicine.

You are unique and should find what works for you. Do some research into different holistic treatments and consider what you feel most comfortable with. Ask questions like the one that started this article, what is holistic medicine? Remember, the answer, the need to look at the whole person, including the physical, nutritional, environmental, emotional, social, spiritual and lifestyle values. Holistic medicine is based on education and the responsibility of personal efforts to achieve balance and well being.

Learn more about this author, Brenda Segna.
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