Holistic healing – Principles and Methods
A growing number of conventional doctors are starting to realize that some of their patients are healing faster and more efficiently when they utilize holistic healing methods.
When seeking treatment for several body imbalances or illnesses, it was observed that a holistic approach of the healing process and of the patient leads to faster and better results. From the holistic healing process perspective, a patient is seen as a whole person: body, mind, emotions, spirit and life energy (chi). One can achieve optimal health by gaining proper balance of all these material and immaterial components of his being. When one constituent part of a person is not working properly, all the other parts will be affected. If people have imbalances (physical, emotional, or spiritual) in their lives, it can negatively affect their overall health.
From this point of view, the main target of the holistic healing is not necessarily the physical health. The physical health is seen only as a component of the well being of a person and the physical illnesses are the symptoms of a greater imbalance that may or may not have a root cause in the physical.
But no matter what kind of imbalance negatively affected the health of a person, any patient has to express a deep, strong personal desire to heal himself. The holistic healing is based on the idea that it is primarily into the patients’ power to heal themselves. To cure themselves, people have to become aware that a person is ultimately responsible for his or her own health and well-being.
Other principles of holistic medicine include the following:
- All people have innate healing powers.
- The patient is a person, not a disease.
- Healing takes a team approach involving the patient and doctor, and addresses all aspects of a person’s life using a variety of health care practices.
- Treatment involves fixing the cause of the condition, not just alleviating the symptoms.
There are several holistic healing methods that have proven to be effective in bringing the body, mind, emotions and spirit into balance. They can be used on their own or in addition to standard medicine. Some of the many healing holistic techniques and remedies are: herbology, acupuncture, acupressure, reflexology, homeopathy, Reiki, muscle and tissue massage, chiropractic care, Zenith, color and sound healing, chakra balancing, and many others.
The person who can provide advices concerning the proper combination of holistic techniques to follow for healing is the holistic healer. This health care provider is able to recognize which discomforts or pains are symptoms or causes of an imbalance. No aspect (mind, body, spirit, or emotions) of a person is overlooked when a holistic treatment is sought. To evaluate a person correctly, the holistic healer looks at the “whole person” and uses all information gathered before suggesting any treatment.
Choosing a holistic healer is as important as choosing a conventional doctor.
Get a recommendation from someone you trust, or contact a credible health organization and ask for a recommendation, before deciding which holistic healer can provide you medical advice.
Read more:
- “Quantum Healing: Exploring the Frontiers of Mind/Body Medicine”, Deepak Chopra, M.D., Bantam Book, 1990
- healing.about.com