Holistic medicine, tales as old as time.
Do they really hold the merit that others proclaim they do?
By the end of this article, this question will be answered. The pros and cons of adopting some of the rituals that have been around since the start of humanity. Gain an understanding of how to use some of these popular remedies and when to use them.
This article explains the role holistic medicines and remedies play by answering some popular questions.
What Is the Difference Between Natural Remedies and Holistic Medicine?
The difference between natural and holistic medicine is that natural remedies are primarily rooted in practices that apply them. Hence, herbs and older rituals yield an outcome or a preventative. On the other hand, holistic medicine is the medicine that is prescribed based on taking your whole being into consideration.
Natural remedies are a fairly broad term that includes herbs used in many forms such as pills, capsules, essential oils, teas, etc. It requires being used in a ritualistic way. It is ritualistic and needs to be used consistently on a set schedule.
For it to be effective, there needs to be a schedule. In fact, many natural remedies are best used as apreventative.
Many people don’t realize that many of these remedies should be used as a preventative instead of a reactive treatment. Natural remedies vary vastly from holistic medicine in that regard.
Think of it this way, by the time you go to see a doctor, there is already a problem. Depending upon the type of problem could require a stronger treatment. Thus, medicine will almost always prevail. Medicine is specifically crafted to treat an issue.
Notice how I said treat an issue. Not prevent, but treat. Medicine should be a last resort for some issues. It would be more fruitful to preemptively try to avoid specific problems arising as a society.
Believe it or not, medicine is not perfect and is not a cure-all.
Examples That Can Apply Natural Remedies and Holistic Medicine
In some cases, a doctor will prescribe medication as a preventative. An example of that is slightly high cholesterol. It is often a shallow dose prescribed to keep you from developing full-on high cholesterol. While that is fine, the real solution is to approach this issue holistically.
This is where natural remedies can come into the situation.
All in all, the entire approach to this issue is considered holistic medicine. When I met with my patients with uncontrollable labs, I would approach the issue from all angles. We would sit down, figure out where the problem lies, and, from there, make our solutions.
Every resolution was crafted with a holistic medicine mindset. The entirety of the patient was taken into consideration. Sometimes natural remedy suggestions were discussed as being used with the medicine and closely monitored.
What Is Holistic Medicine?
Holistic medicine is essentially medicine that considers the 5 core aspects of holistic health. Those unfamiliar with the 5 aspects of holistic health include physical, social, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. Check out The Hidden Treasure, Holistic Health, to learn more about these aspects.
Medicine is prescribed, keeping what would be best for your overall well-being. Many doctors will prescribe a medication to treat an issue based on just the symptoms they observe, and it is their personal go-to medication to prescribe.
Sadly, that does not work for everyone.
Everyone will not react the same to their treatment. Sometimes the issue is more profound than the surface-level symptoms displayed. So, then after time has passed of the patient taking the medication, there is a possibility that their issue does not get better. Typically, the approach is to raise the dose or swap it for another medication.
With holistic medicine, the patient is the main focal point of treatment instead of their symptoms. Finding a solution that fits the patient may take longer, but finding one that consistently works is worth it.
When practicing holistic medicine, the patient’s overall understanding of what is happening is considered. It is explained to them in ways they can understand and feel comfortable enough to have an actual conversation.
An Example of Holistic Medicine from Experience
A patient with diabetes who has uncontrolled sugar levels arrives at an appointment with a clinical pharmacist. Instead of simply adjusting their medication dosages, they are asked to record their meals throughout the day for two weeks and schedule an appointment to come back.
After two weeks, they return with a somewhat filled-out meal log. It is enough to understand their eating habits, and it is noticed that they eat a lot of carbs. Carbs turn into sugar, and that can cause high sugar levels.
This is explained to the patient, and more questions are asked to gain further understanding. The patient does not know much about their nutritional needs, but they are open to trying something new. Based upon what the clinical pharmacist observes, they are given some options:
- Schedule an appointment with a nutritionist to seek help with crafting meal ideas.
- Be sent home with reading material and recommendations from the clinical pharmacist on things to eat and not eat.
- Have the clinical pharmacist adjust the patients’ dosages and medicine schedules to regulate their high sugar levels.
All of the options are displayed. The pros and cons are weighed, and recommendations are given. Ultimately the choice is left to the patient on how they would like to proceed. Regardless of their choice, they would need to be seen in another two weeks to see how they are doing.
All the options listed take into consideration the patient’s physical health as well as their other well-being. If the patient chooses option 1 or 2, not only would they see more stable sugar levels, but their overall health should also show a positive outcome.
Does Holistic Medicine Have Any Benefits?
Holistic medicine has an immeasurable number of benefits. Not only are the symptoms of the issue being treated, but also the underlying issues that caused the problem. This takes more time for the medical professional and the patient to figure out, but the outcomes are wonderful.
In the example given in the previous section, the solutions that are proposed to the patient are considered after opening the conversation. It is explicitly crafted based on their needs. It gives you a say, but the process also helps you understand what is going on with your body and why it is so important.
Knowing that you are being heard and what you say matters is extremely important. It is vital to figure out what best avenue to take and that your input is taken seriously. We are more likely receptive to change when we are heard and feel justified. It impacts our mental well-being.
Time will tell just how effective the treatment will be. While it is not 100% guaranteed to work, you will be working with a medical professional who will be with you every step of the way. They will monitor you and your reactions while tailoring your treatment until you both find something that works completely.
It will be very satisfying.
Is Holistic Medicine Good for You?
Holistic medicine is highly beneficial because the recommended medication regimen is crafted specifically for your needs.
Many confuse holistic medicine with natural remedies. They are not the same thing as you’ve read above. That’s not to say you can’t be prescribed a medication, but also recommend an herbal supplement to take as well. Everything being recommended is done so with a medical professional.
They know what they are doing. Recommendations are made based on what you are comfortable with and show a need for.
Understanding a holistic medicine approach may require you to see various medical professionals. Each will have varying specialties that will help you to have other positive outcomes.
Is Holistic Medicine Considered Spiritual?
Holistic medicine is not necessarily considered spiritual. However, holistic medicine can impact your spiritual well-being.
How is that possible?
Well, suppose you had checked out my article, The Hidden Treasure, Holistic Health. In that case, you will understand that the 5 core aspects of holistic living are all connected. Imbalances in one part of your life could impact others.
For this very reason, your spiritual well-being could be impacted by holistic medicine. It is impossible to only treat one aspect and not affect the others.
Does Holistic Medicine Work?
Holistic medicine works by following the recommendations and prescribed medication given to you. There is no ‘magic’ to getting it to work. It takes responsibility and holding yourself accountable.
When you are speaking with the medical professional that is trying to help you, be honest. Allow them to help you. Do not be embarrassed about where you are right now. Their sole purpose for being there is to help you.
Believe me, a great medical professional wants to see you succeed. They spend much time understanding your needs to craft the best regimen or solution possible. The joy you feel from achieving your goal, they feel it too.
It takes repetition and determination to do your part.
Side Story Time: Holistic Medicine Is Sometimes More Than Just Medicine
I saw all sorts of patients when I worked as a clinical pharmacist. One thing that I noticed to be a roadblock with many of them was my professional white coat.
I learned in school about the white coat syndrome. When a medical professional wears that long white medical coat, a patient immediately has a wall formed. It kept them from being themselves and kept me from being able to effectively do my job.
So, what did I do?
I took off my coat when meeting my patients in the examination room. The skin would be hung on the back of my chair. Of course, my name tag or medical identification was visibly clipped on me.
My initial introduction included my title, Dr. Jones. However, I allowed each patient to address me as just my name. It gave them a sense of familiarity.
And the difference it made was so clearly seen.
They spoke with me and opened up about many things they were dealing with. It allowed me to observe possible issues they were dealing with that inhibited them from being able to be within their targeted lab ranges.
Not only that, I was able to quickly establish a relationship. Which made giving my recommendations hold the extra weight. I was able to gain trust.
Please understand that I am not like every doctor, and every doctor is not like me. Doctors can have varying techniques and still achieve the same thing. What matters is the effort given and received.
I helped with any possible social anxieties they may have, speaking with medical professionals in my own way. That impacts their social and mental well-being and, eventually, physical well-being.
How Do You Use Holistic Medicine?
To use holistic medicine is to simply follow the instructions given to you. That is the particular ritual. Those instructions and recommendations should be acknowledged and coveted.
According to the Cambridge English Dictionary, a ritual is simply a way of doing something, in the same way, every time.
That’s it.
Take your medication and natural remedies (if they are recommended) and how it is written and explained to you. Do it consistently. Go to your appointments when you schedule them. Everything that is needed to be done do it.
You will see your efforts come to fruition. Some are quicker than others. Nonetheless, you receive what you put out.
There Is No Secret to It
By no means is this article encouraging you to go out and try to figure this all out yourself or to grab the first natural remedy you see.
This article explains what holistic medicine is and how it can impact you. I have said it before, and I will repeat it. A majority of your outcomes stem from you. It is your responsibility to follow your recommendations.
You are also responsible for finding a medical professional you can trust and listen to. If you need assistance finding one that suits your needs, check out Holistic Doctors. In this article, I break down some easy ways to see a doctor that practices holistic approaches to treatments. You do not have to find a doctor who calls themselves a “holistic doctor” to receive this treatment.
I gave this type of treatment to my patients, and I did not call myself a holistic doctor. I hold a doctorate in pharmacy, working in a hospital clinic, seeing patients about their medications, and ensuring they are on the right track. Any doctor can have these types of views.
