“So you want me to go to a native doctor?”
“No ma. We are just asking you to find an alternative method of treating your husband.
The medicines are not having the desired effect on him.”
“But, it’s against my faith. How will the church see me?”
“Ahah! Madam, don’t you drink agbo to clear your system sometimes?”
“That’s just agbo na”
“I understand, but if your doctor didn’t prescribe it, it’s an alternative medicine.”
“Okay, Nurse. I have heard all you have said. Thank you.”
The conversation above shows how most people react when they hear the term “Alternative Medicine. “ You immediately assume that you are expected to go and offer sacrifices before a priest, but that’s not the case.
Let’s learn about Alternative medicine and Holistic health together. Keep reading.
What Is Alternative Medicine?
Alternative medicine is any range of medical therapies not regarded as orthodox by the medical profession, such as herbalism, holistic health, naturopathy, and crystal healing.
According to the National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Health, Alternative medicine is a group of diverse medical and healthcare systems, practices, and products not generally considered part of conventional medicine.
Types of Alternative Medicine
Complementary medicine (CM) or integrative medicine (IM) is when alternative medicine is used with mainstream functional medical treatment in the belief that it improves the effect of treatments.
Traditional medicine (TM) refers to certain practices within a culture that have existed since before the advent of medical science.
Naturopathy means “natural treatment”. Naturopathy is an umbrella term used for a wide range of natural medicines. Medicines obtained from different aspects of nature are used in treating patients.
Homeopathy: Homeopathy is an alternative medicine that works on the principle of treating “like with like.” It is a medical system founded on the notion that the body can heal itself. In other words, anything that causes symptoms in a healthy person can be used to treat a sickness with identical symptoms in a very little quantity. This is intended to activate the body’s natural defenses.
What Is Holistic Medicine?
Holistic medicine is a type of alternative medicine with an approach to healthcare that focuses on the whole person – mind, body, and spirit. “Holistic” describes when parts of something can only be explained concerning the whole, not separately.
It considers a disease or condition’s physical symptoms and mental and emotional aspects.
Holistic medicine recognizes that the body can heal itself and that our lifestyle choices play a significant role in our health. For instance, a holistic approach to healthcare might focus on diet and nutrition, exercise, and sleep.
The idea is to create a personalized plan for each person that addresses all aspects of their health and well-being.
Why Is Whole Person Health Important?
Health and disease are not separate, disconnected states but instead occur on a path that can move in two different directions, either toward health or toward disease.
On this path, many factors, including one’s biological makeup; some unhealthy behaviors, such as poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, chronic stress, poor sleep, as well as social aspects of life—the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age—can lead to chronic diseases of more than one organ system.
On the other hand, self-care, lifestyle, and behavioral interventions may help with the return to health.
Holistic medicine practitioners believe that the whole person comprises interdependent parts, and if one part is not working properly, all the other parts will be affected.
In this way, if people have imbalances (physical, emotional, or spiritual) in their lives, it can negatively affect their overall health.
Principles Of Holistic Health
The idea of root causes:
Instead of treating symptoms, holistic practitioners try to figure out what is causing those symptoms.
For example, let’s say someone is experiencing headaches. A holistic practitioner might ask about diet, stress, and sleeping habits. They might determine if any underlying issues contribute to the headaches.
The mind-body connection:
The idea is that the mind and body are connected and that our thoughts and emotions can impact our physical health.
For instance, someone constantly stressed or anxious might experience physical symptoms like headaches, muscle tension, or digestive problems.
So, it’s not enough to treat the physical symptoms. Addressing the underlying thoughts and emotions is also important.
Components Of Holistic Wellness
Here’s how each of these areas relates to overall wellness:
Mental wellness:
Mental fitness is crucial to overall health. Mental fitness allows us to communicate with others, think critically, and easily make decisions. Poor mental fitness is associated with reduced resilience and resistance to stress.
Physical wellness:
Physical well-being is sometimes thought of as being free from illness. However, simply “not being sick” doesn’t make for much quality of life.
On the other hand, some individuals with chronic disease feel vital and well. Physical health includes energy, flexibility, strength, fitness, sleep, and nutrition.
Emotional wellness:
Being emotionally healthy impacts your relationship with yourself and others. Emotional wellness determines how you interpret stressful situations and your ability to regulate emotions. It also improves your ability to ask for help and sit with uncomfortable emotions.
Spiritual wellness:
Spiritual wellness refers to your connection to something larger than yourself. Spiritually healthy people can find purpose and meaning in life.
They feel more motivated, are more resilient, and have a sense of their place in the world. Those with poor spiritual health tend to experience existential crises.
Social wellness:
A sense of belonging drives social well-being. Participating in organizations, spending time with friends and family, and feeling connected to others are all part of social wellness.
Occupational wellness:
Occupational health includes finding joy and fulfillment in the work that we do. It also means feeling like you have opportunities to grow and develop within your career.
Financial wellness:
A 2020 survey found that financial stress was associated with lower productivity, morale, and increased stress. People with poor financial health feel they need more control over their income and expenses. They worry about their ability to handle emergencies and have lower self-esteem.
Intellectual health:
This is all about using our mental capacities to their fullest potential and finding ways to continue learning and growing. It’s about expanding our knowledge and skills and seeking out new experiences.
Benefits Of Holistic Health Therapy
Physical health benefits:
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Improved sleep quality
- A stronger immune system
- Improved digestion
- Reduced inflammation, which is linked to many chronic diseases.
Emotional Benefits:
Holistic health can improve emotional well-being by reducing stress and anxiety, improving mood, and increasing self-acceptance. Specific practices like journaling or gratitude exercises can be used to get these benefits.
Mental Benefits:
Holistic health practices can lead to greater mental clarity, improved focus, and better decision-making skills. Specific examples like deep breathing exercises and mindfulness practices show how these benefits can be achieved.
Getting Started With Holistic Health
We can break down the process into simple, actionable steps such as:
– Identifying your current health and wellness goals.
– Choosing one or two specific holistic health practices to focus on.
– Setting realistic and achievable goals for incorporating those practices into your daily routine.
Best practices to achieve Holistic wellness
- Incorporate rest
- Understand the connection between your physical health and emotional well-being.
- Practice mindfulness
- Nurture your relationships
- Do something you love
If you want to speak to a Holistic Health Practitioner, Send a Message Here!
Takeaway
Holistic medicine is your go-to option if you’d like to work with a whole-body approach. Alternative therapies for your conditions or goals will be curated specifically for you.
Holistic medicine is not a replacement for traditional medical care. Consult an alternative medicine doctor or naturopath before trying holistic treatments, especially if taking prescription medicine. This will ensure you get the best, safest, and wholesome care possible.
