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Holistic Medicine
Here is a good definition of Holistic Medicine, as defined
by the Canadian Holistic Medical Association:
Holistic medicine is a system of health care which fosters a cooperative
relationship among all those involved, leading towards optimal attainment of
the physical, mental emotional, social and spiritual aspects of health.
"It emphasizes the need to look at the whole person, including analysis
of physical, nutritional, environmental, emotional, social, spiritual and
lifestyle values. It encompasses all stated modalities of diagnosis and
treatment including drugs and surgery if no safe alternative exists. Holistic
medicine focuses on education and responsibility for personal efforts to
achieve balance and well being."
Other terms used for Holistic Medicine include Alternative Medicine,
Complementary Medicine, and Natural Healing. Alternative Healing usually refers
to various non-invasive, non-drug therapies that may or may not be fully
accepted by the mainstream medical establishment as valid. These can include
acupuncture, herbal medicine, Homeopathy, Reiki, and a number of others. As
these techniques become increasingly popular among the general public, the
medical establishment has no choice but to accept them, too.
Complementary Medicine is a term sometimes used by conventional medical
doctors to refer to alternative techniques used in tandem with traditional
allopathic medicine. For instance, a patient may be treated with drugs and
surgery initially, but acupuncture, herbs, and a vegetarian diet may be used to
help with pain management afterwards and preventative maintenance for the
future. The term Complementary Medicine implies that the conventional
treatments are the primary source of care, while the alternative treatments are
added to assist the primary treatment.
A program of Holistic Healing usually involves a combination of a number of
different health strategies working together, each supporting the others to
create a synergy. Different elements might include improved diet and
nutritional therapy, yoga, stress relief, herbal medicine, meditation, proper
exercise, plenty of sleep, healthy relationships, and avoiding toxic
environments.
Environmental toxins are a danger that most people are not sufficiently
aware of. There can be invisible toxins in your carpeting, flouride in your
drinking water, chemicals in your milk, and mercury in your dental fillings.
There are plenty of resources, both offline and online, explaining these
Holistic Medicine strategies in greater detail.
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