Holistic medicine is an alternative to mainstream “Western” medicine— whole-body approach to wellness and health care, which means that the goal is to treat the full person: body, mind, and spirit. Optimal health is more than just the absence of illness. Holistic medicine practitioners believe that all parts of a person’s health are interconnected, and that being sick in one can influence the others.

Because holistic treatments focus on understanding the source of an issue rather than just treating the symptoms, they are a more practical approach to healing. It emphasizes wellness and prevention above disease treatment.

What Exactly Is Holistic Medicine?

In general, holistic medicine integrates conventional treatment with scientifically established complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Nutrition, exercise, homeopathy, acupuncture, and meditation are just a few of the treatments that can be utilized in conjunction with traditional care as part of a holistic approach.

Holistic healing aims to boost the body’s inherent healing capacities while also empowering the patient to take care of their health. This method considers the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual components of a disease. These aspects are then addressed in order for the condition to be managed and treated.

A holistic doctor typically has a medical background, but they prioritize prevention over treatment.

What are the fundamental principles of holistic medicine?

Holistic medicine is founded on the following fundamental principles:

  • Everyone has a natural potential to heal and is accountable for their own well-being.
  • Physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and social well-being are all components of health.
  • Treatment focuses on the person as a whole rather than on a specific ailment
  • Instead of only treating symptoms, the purpose of treatment is to address the underlying cause of the disease or condition.
  • A person’s situation does not define them.
  • Holistic practitioners engage with patients to understand them as a whole and to provide them with appropriate therapy.
  • Prevention comes first, followed by therapy.
  • The relationship between a doctor and the person being treated determines the outcome of treatment.