Holistic wellness has been in practice since ancient times and practitioners today all share the same type of approach. They believe in the ancient philosophy that the most effective way of healing is by treating the person as a whole rather than treating just an illness, body parts or symptoms. Holistic wellness is all about a state of internal balance, not just an absence of illness. A holistic practitioner teaches the importance of the connection of the mind, body, and spirit.
The ancient roots of holistic wellness & practice
Long before x rays and modern technology, healers realized how important emotional and spiritual well being is in obtaining optimal health. These practices that include alternative and conventional medicine are commonly used to help combat chronic illnesses. Holistic medicine is one of the oldest ways of treating illnesses and diseases that were used across the world from Europeans to Native Americans. Traditional Chinese medicine is one of the most well-documented forms of holistic healing that goes back as far as 2,200 years ago.
Two ancient medical traditions in holistic health:
Herbal Medicine– Herbal medicine focuses on holistic balance and is the oldest form of healthcare known to mankind. It includes treatment through the use of natural plants, supplementation and essential oils that help prevent, alleviate and cure diseases. Plants have been the basis for medical treatments through much of human history, and such traditional medicine is still widely practiced today.
Western Herbalism– Western herbalism is a healing art that derives from herbal traditions from Europe and the Americas. They focus on the study of European and Native American herbs to help prevent illnesses and disease. Western herbalism derives greatly from pharmacognosy, the study of natural products. Although the effects of botanical medicine can be subtle or much slower than pharmaceutical drugs, it can be a much better option for long term health.
The History of Holistic Medicine
The father of medicine, Hippocrates put great focus on treating illnesses and disease through natural medicine. He strongly believed in the self-healing power that our bodies possess. He would encourage nutrition, exercise, massage, and hydrotherapy to his patients that would encourage the natural resistance of our organisms to get stronger and overcome diseases
Other early doctors were progressively keen on effectively stepping in to address sickness rather than the person. These two methodologies were debated for quite a long time until the logical upset of the nineteenth century.
With the disclosure of germs causing many infections, Western drugs turned out to be completely centered around mediation. Doctors put less attention to environmental factors, healthy lifestyle choices and emotional health.gave less consideration to sound way of life decisions, natural components. The main attention was on side effects and disorders. This made patients discouraged from participating in improving their own health that they simply relied on medicine to “fix” them without any personal lifestyle changes.
It took right around a century for the assumptions of this way to efficiently heal started becoming less and less common. Some conventional restorative practices demonstrated more hurtful than the illnesses they tried to treat. Different sicknesses and constant conditions neglected to react to conventional treatment.
In the long run, individuals started to look for elective types of medication. This prompted the recharging of enthusiasm for comprehensive wellbeing in the West. The primary National Conference on Holistic Health was directed in California in 1975. The American Holistic Health Association (AHHA) and the Holistic Medical Association were shaped quickly afterward.
Holistic Practice Today
Holistic medicine goes beyond simply getting rid of the symptoms but considering the whole person and the situation. For example, taking a Tylenol for a headache will eliminate the problem short term but the actual problem still remains. Through holistic healing, a symptom is considered a message that their needs to be attention brought to something. Then the practitioner can use this signal as a guide to search below the surface to identify the root cause of the problem.
Through this holistic support, individuals can reach higher levels of wellness and prevent future illnesses from happening. Many people enjoy the energy and well-being of positively changing their lifestyles and stay motivated to continue improving their own lives. Today, holistic health practitioners are in great demand as very few medical doctors are professionally trained in holistic healing. If you’re in need of an experienced holistic practitioner, contact our medical doctor today to consult about improving your well-being today!
