The Holistic Approach
Whereas the Western medical model tends to view diseases and afflictions of health as more or less specific entities unto themselves, the Holistic approach considers not only the entire body as an interconnected organism, but the environment that influences it. Rather than isolate body systems and their diseases (i.e. cardiovascular system and heart disease), the Holistic approach sees the body as a complete organism with all body systems working in harmony to maintain homeostasis (balance), while interacting in context of the environment and mental state of each of us.
Triad of Health
Holistic practitioners speak of the Triad of Health, which comprises three attributes of health: Physical (body), Mental (emotional/spiritual) and Chemical (nutritional). For Health to flourish, these three attributes must be in balance. A shift out of balance of any of these attributes is a shift toward Dis-ease, and a struggle to regain that balance begins. A deficiency in one leads to overcompensation of another in effort to maintain balance. The body is a marvelous creation, and adapts to it's environment for immediate survival. However, this often comes at a long term cost in overall well being, such as degeneration, decreased function, weakness, scar formation and other manifestations of dis-ease.
Asthma, for example, is just a disease label identifying a general presentation, and people with asthma will demonstrate different variations of that presentation. One patient may have an attack brought about by exertion; another by excitement or stress; and another might have attacks only at night. Rather than ask "What can I do to suppress the attack?", a Holistic practitioner might ask "Can the imbalance that is manifesting through the asthma be corrected?" Each patient would be considered on their own merit, within the context of their environment (work, relationships, family history, eating habits). By considering different aspects and the uniqueness of each case, a greater understanding of the patient's overall health may be obtained, thus ensuring that the patient is treated, not just the disease label.
Restoring Balance
The journey back to Health begins with restoring balance and relieving the body of stress on all levels (physical, mental & chemical) by stimulating the body's own self-healing powers. There are a variety of methods employed to accomplish this restoration, such as:
All of these methods effect the hormones, immune system, organs and strengthen the body, restore health and slow the aging process.
"The part can never be well unless the whole is well." ~Plato
Triad of Health
Holistic practitioners speak of the Triad of Health, which comprises three attributes of health: Physical (body), Mental (emotional/spiritual) and Chemical (nutritional). For Health to flourish, these three attributes must be in balance. A shift out of balance of any of these attributes is a shift toward Dis-ease, and a struggle to regain that balance begins. A deficiency in one leads to overcompensation of another in effort to maintain balance. The body is a marvelous creation, and adapts to it's environment for immediate survival. However, this often comes at a long term cost in overall well being, such as degeneration, decreased function, weakness, scar formation and other manifestations of dis-ease.
Asthma, for example, is just a disease label identifying a general presentation, and people with asthma will demonstrate different variations of that presentation. One patient may have an attack brought about by exertion; another by excitement or stress; and another might have attacks only at night. Rather than ask "What can I do to suppress the attack?", a Holistic practitioner might ask "Can the imbalance that is manifesting through the asthma be corrected?" Each patient would be considered on their own merit, within the context of their environment (work, relationships, family history, eating habits). By considering different aspects and the uniqueness of each case, a greater understanding of the patient's overall health may be obtained, thus ensuring that the patient is treated, not just the disease label.
Restoring Balance
The journey back to Health begins with restoring balance and relieving the body of stress on all levels (physical, mental & chemical) by stimulating the body's own self-healing powers. There are a variety of methods employed to accomplish this restoration, such as:
- Chiropractic which restores function to the structure, accesses the nervous system and retrains proper bio-mechanics.
- Acupuncture which works with the energy pathways via the meridian system and restores balanced flow by tonifying deficiencies and sedating excesses.
- Herbal Medicine can be thought of as "super foods" that build the body's constitution, clears toxins and restores health and vitality.
- Nutritional Therapy which strives to correct nutritional deficiencies, feed the body, and educate the patient in better lifestyle choices.
- Massage relieving muscle tension, increases circulation, drains lymph, flushes out toxins and relaxes the mind.
- Exercise that improves movement, influences the organs, relieves stress, increases vitality, calms the spirit.
All of these methods effect the hormones, immune system, organs and strengthen the body, restore health and slow the aging process.
"The part can never be well unless the whole is well." ~Plato
