Explaining Holistic Healthcare: What Does It Really Mean?
Holistic healthcare has become synonymous with alternative medicine or non-conventional medicine – but is that actually what it means? There are a lot of misconceptions about the term “holistic,” and, as a result, people may avoid certain practices labeled “holistic therapies.”
However, many of these practices are widely accepted as an effective way to treat underlying causes of disease and manage chronic pain. Let’s explore what holism actually means when it comes to the medical system and your well-being.
What Is a Holistic Approach?
Sometimes people hear “holistic healthcare” and think it’s less reputable than traditional medical care. Or, they hear the term “holistic doctor” and assume that the practitioner is a non-medical doctor who lacks accreditation and knowledge of Western medicine.
There is a wide range of holistic practitioners and therapies, and many of these healthcare providers have attended medical school to practice their specialties.
The variety of holistic therapies doesn’t refer to one technique or set of practices. It refers to a new approach towards healthcare – and one that is growing in popularity.
Holistic, by definition, means to be concerned with complete (or whole) systems rather than individual parts. When it comes to medical care, holistic means developing a whole-person approach to wellness. Healthcare providers do this by taking into account the patient’s mental health, diet, exercise, and even elements such as their environment, cultural background, and spiritual beliefs.
Holistic doctors develop mind-body-centered care through several techniques, ranging from encouraging the patient to pursue healthy lifestyle changes to partnering with mental health professionals and social care workers.
What Is Considered Holistic Medicine?
A few therapies and types of medicine have become closely associated with the term holistic. While these approaches all aim to provide whole-body wellness, they differ in several ways.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine that is popular even within Western medicine. Over the last two decades, the number of Americans seeking acupuncture treatment has risen. Surveys suggest that up to 10% of U.S. adults have tried it!
Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body that stimulate the central nervous system. It can relieve chronic pain like neck pain, back pain, migraines, and more. Acupuncture can also be used as a supplement to talk therapy when it comes to anxiety and depression.
For some states, acupuncture falls under the scope of practice for physicians. Others require physicians to go through 200 to 300 hours of formal training to obtain an acupuncture license from a regulatory body. Non-physicians looking to become a licensed acupuncturist need to attend a certified program. Typically, these are offered as master’s programs that require a formal, related BA to enroll.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic adjustments involve the manipulation of the spine or joint to address injuries and chronic pain. It can be used to treat tension-caused migraines, sciatica, and scoliosis. Regular visits to the chiropractor have also been shown to improve your overall health when it comes to chronic fatigue, high blood pressure, and even depression.
There are several myths surrounding chiropractic care. Some believe that the practice can be painful and dangerous or that chiropractic practitioners aren’t real doctors. However, licensed chiropractors are extremely skilled and extensively trained.
Chiropractors earn a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree that follows a similar course of study as other medical care providers but with a focus on the muscular and skeletal systems. This training allows them to know the exact pressure to apply (and where) so the process is painless and safer than some traditional medicines.
Seeing a chiropractor can help you deal with the physical symptoms of chronic pain without the risk of developing an addiction to prescription painkillers. Patients who see a chiropractor for their spinal pain as part of a complementary part of their medical care are 50% less likely to fill an opioid prescription than those who did not receive an adjustment.
Osteopathic
Osteopathic care is focused on the holistic healthcare belief that whole-person health is essential to wellness. Osteopathic doctors are fully licensed medical doctors who receive additional training in musculoskeletal treatments so they can use manual medicine, such as massage therapy, to treat muscle, tendon, and bone pain.
While Osteopaths are fully licensed and attend medical colleges similar to traditional medicine doctors within the U.S., there aren’t any programs of study offered internationally yet. The practice of osteopathic medicine began in the 1890s in America, and while it is growing, it has yet to become as internationally established as other traditional medical practices.
Massage Therapy
Deep tissue massage and aromatherapy massage are popular holistic medicinal practices. They can help with stress relief and increase your circulation. It can also help with chronic pain management.
Accreditation for massage therapy practitioners typically involves completing formal education and training programs from accredited institutions. These programs cover anatomy, physiology, pathology, massage theory, techniques, ethics, and hands-on practice. Depending on the region or country, massage therapy education varies in duration and curriculum requirements, but accredited programs adhere to established standards of competency and professionalism.
Naturopathy
Naturopathy is rooted in the belief that diseases can be treated and even cured with healthy lifestyle choices without the use of drugs. Naturopathic approaches include dietary changes, exercise, stress-reducing self-care, herbal medicine, supplements, and practitioner-guided detoxification.
Like osteopathy, naturopathy was started in the United States. The practice was first developed in 1901 by Benedict Lust, MD. Accredited naturopathic doctors typically complete a four-year graduate program in the United States. There may also be additional licensing requirements depending on what state and jurisdiction they are practicing in.
Homeopathy
Naturopathic doctors may also use homeopathy as a part of a treatment plan.
Homeopathy was developed in the late 18th century by a German physician named Samuel Hahnemann. It’s based on the principle that “like cures like.” This means that a substance causing symptoms in a healthy person can treat similar symptoms in someone who is unwell. In simpler terms, it’s using a tiny amount of something that would normally cause the same symptoms you’re trying to cure.
For example, if someone has watery eyes and a runny nose due to allergies, a homeopathic remedy made from a highly diluted form of onion, which can cause similar symptoms like watery eyes and a runny nose when chopped, might be used to alleviate those allergy symptoms. This concept relies on the body’s ability to react to very small amounts of a substance to trigger its own.
Ayurveda
Developed in India thousands of years ago, Ayurveda is one of the oldest medicinal approaches and centers around the idea that true wellness comes from a balance of the mind, body, and spirit.
Ayurveda is based on the theory that everything is connected – especially within ourselves, and these practitioners guide patients in establishing balance through yoga, meditation, herbal medicine, and counseling.
An Aryuvedic practitioner completes at least 1500 hours of training and some college courses. Typically, their programs last at least two years in length. Licensing requirements can vary from state to state.
Integrative Care Models and Holistic Approaches
Integrated healthcare is a collaborative and comprehensive approach to medical care that coordinates medical and behavioral health services to provide the best patient outcomes. Services offered by an integrated healthcare model may include primary care, preventive care, counseling, and even some holistic therapies, such as chiropractic care and acupuncture.
Similarities between integrative care and holistic approaches lie in their emphasis on treating the whole person rather than isolated symptoms or conditions. Integrated care models may incorporate holistic approaches like acupuncture as a complementary therapy to traditional medicines. Integrative care models are developed from the same ideals as holistic approaches.
Both recognize the relationship between physical, emotional, social, and environmental factors in shaping an individual’s health status. Integrated and collaborative healthcare models adopt holistic approaches by uniting a team of healthcare professionals, including therapists, acupuncturists, chiropractors, and primary care physicians. These healthcare professionals work together to provide whole-person healthcare to patients.
Moreover, integrative care and holistic approaches prioritize patient-centered care, fostering collaborative relationships between healthcare providers and patients. These models emphasize active participation and empowerment, encouraging individuals to take ownership of their health journey through informed decision-making, lifestyle modifications, and self-care practices.
The Benefits of Holistic Integrative Care
An integrative care model that incorporates holistic approaches offers patients a comprehensive and personalized approach to healthcare – and this can lead to better health outcomes in many ways.
Personalized Care
Integrative care teams tailor treatment plans to meet each individual’s unique needs and circumstances. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach, they consider other factors, such as lifestyle, environment, genetics, and personal preferences, to develop personalized strategies, including holistic therapies for health promotion and disease prevention.
Patient Empowerment
When integrative care teams incorporate holistic approaches, individuals are empowered to take an active role in their own health and healing. Through education, guidance, and support, individuals learn to make informed choices and take responsibility for their lifestyle habits, dietary choices, stress management techniques, and self-care practices.
Integrative care models prioritize collaboration between healthcare providers and patients, fostering open communication, shared decision-making, and active participation in treatment planning. By considering the whole person and addressing their unique needs, values, and preferences, integrative care models empower patients to take ownership of their health journey. Patients are encouraged to explore a diverse range of treatment options, including conventional medical interventions, complementary therapies, and lifestyle modifications, to find the approach that best aligns with their goals and values.
Prevention and Wellness
Integrative healthcare emphasizes preventive measures and wellness promotion strategies to maintain optimal health and vitality. By addressing underlying imbalances and promoting healthy lifestyle habits, care teams incorporating holistic approaches aim to prevent illness before it occurs, reducing the need for invasive interventions or pharmaceutical treatments.
Reduced Risk of Addiction
Unlike some traditional medical treatments that rely heavily on prescription medications, integrative health care models that utilize holistic approaches often prioritize natural and non-invasive interventions with lower risks of addiction or dependency. Thanks to services like acupuncture and chiropractic care, individuals can manage pain and other symptoms without the risk of developing addiction to pain-relieving medications.
Long-Term Sustainability
Integrative healthcare promotes sustainable health practices that support long-term well-being. Rather than providing temporary relief for symptoms, holistic interventions aim to address underlying imbalances and promote lasting changes that support overall health and vitality over time.
Lowered Healthcare Costs
Thanks to their emphasis on prevention, wellness promotion, and long-term sustainability, integrative healthcare initiatives have the potential to significantly reduce healthcare costs over time. By prioritizing preventive measures and addressing root causes of illness before they escalate, healthcare teams that incorporate holistic approaches can help individuals avoid costly medical interventions, hospitalizations, and emergency room visits associated with untreated conditions.
Finding Qualified and Quality Medical Care
Finding qualified holistic medicine practitioners is crucial for ensuring safe and effective healthcare outcomes.
Unlike conventional medicine, holistic medicine lacks standardized regulations across jurisdictions, making it imperative for patients to thoroughly vet practitioners’ credentials and qualifications. Accreditation from reputable organizations, such as the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians or the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, can indicate a practitioner’s competency and adherence to professional standards.
Additionally, seeking recommendations from trusted sources, such as healthcare professionals, friends, or online reviews, can help patients identify reputable holistic medicine practitioners. Moreover, conducting thorough research, like verifying licensure status and exploring practitioners’ backgrounds and areas of expertise, can further aid in selecting qualified professionals who prioritize your health and safety.
Trusted Integrated Care at Meridian
At Meridian HealthCare, we have an integrated team of expert healthcare professionals – from acupuncturists and chiropractors to therapists and primary care physicians. We’ve been providing whole-person care to residents of the Mahoning Valley and beyond for over 50 years. If you’re looking for quality care, reach out to schedule an appointment today.
