What Is Holistic Medicine?
 |  |
(By Jessica Levy, DVM)
Holistic medicine is a topic at the forefront of all types of medical practices today. This term does not refer
to any specific modality (i.e. Acupuncture, chiropractic, reiki, etc.), but to a philosophy of medical practice
found worldwide. Holistic medicine merely means what it says: Medicine that takes the entire organism
into account, understanding that living things are comprised of an accumulation of biochemical particles
and processes, energy fields, and emotions. Conventional medicine can be practiced holistically, and
alternative therapies can be practiced in non-holistic ways.
The source of the word holistic is “whole,” as well as “holy” and “heal.” It’s not necessary to be spiritually
evolved to practice or benefit from this style of medicine. It connotes standing back and observing the
forest as well as the trees.
One problem with conventional medical training, perhaps, is that it does not offer well-defined parameters
of health. It is based on definitions of disease, without much consideration of what constitutes health and
how it can be maintained or recovered. It is possible to find doctors and veterinarians who have gone
beyond their school teachings, and practice holistically within the confines of conventional medicine.
The increasing attraction of alternative medicine stems from the perception that these modalities are
natural, safer, and more gentle than conventional Western medicine. Some are, some aren’t, and, just as
in conventional medicine, it depends on who’s doing the administering.
In the U.S., medicine is taught according to body systems in order to break down the information into
digestible chunks. But just as we’ve learned from quantum physics, that’s not how things really are. It’s
hard to hold the holistic paradigm in your head when practicing a form of medicine in which treatments are
used to repair, restore function to or eliminate symptoms from a diseased part. If there is more than one
diseased part, there may be numerous medications or treatments utilized simultaneously and oftentimes
at odds with each other.
This issue has driven me to study and practice homeopathy. It is a system of medicine that aims to treat
the entire organism, including the mental, emotional and physical spheres, with a single medicine. It also
has clear definitions of what constitutes health and how to know when you’re there (although health is
really a journey, not a destination).
Our society tends to be very drug-oriented. We like rapid results and instant gratification. With many
alternative modalities, this is not possible or sometimes even desirable. It’s worth learning about an
alternative or conventionality modality before diving in. This will help you understand the process and
what to expect.
There are many resources for information about holistic medicine. The Internet, the library, the health food
store, and other people’s experiences can all be worthwhile sources for tips on health and healing.
How do you choose a veterinarian, whether conventional or alternative? Ask friends and family members.
Call the vet clinic for information, and, even better, visit. Go at a peak time and observe. Are the animals
terrified or merely nervous? Are they handled gently? Do you feel comfortable at the practice?
Credentials are important, but let your instincts guide you as you seek optimal health care for your pet.
Holistic medicine is a topic at the forefront of all types of medical practices today. This term does not refer
to any specific modality (i.e. Acupuncture, chiropractic, reiki, etc.), but to a philosophy of medical practice
found worldwide. Holistic medicine merely means what it says: Medicine that takes the entire organism
into account, understanding that living things are comprised of an accumulation of biochemical particles
and processes, energy fields, and emotions. Conventional medicine can be practiced holistically, and
alternative therapies can be practiced in non-holistic ways.
The source of the word holistic is “whole,” as well as “holy” and “heal.” It’s not necessary to be spiritually
evolved to practice or benefit from this style of medicine. It connotes standing back and observing the
forest as well as the trees.
One problem with conventional medical training, perhaps, is that it does not offer well-defined parameters
of health. It is based on definitions of disease, without much consideration of what constitutes health and
how it can be maintained or recovered. It is possible to find doctors and veterinarians who have gone
beyond their school teachings, and practice holistically within the confines of conventional medicine.
The increasing attraction of alternative medicine stems from the perception that these modalities are
natural, safer, and more gentle than conventional Western medicine. Some are, some aren’t, and, just as
in conventional medicine, it depends on who’s doing the administering.
In the U.S., medicine is taught according to body systems in order to break down the information into
digestible chunks. But just as we’ve learned from quantum physics, that’s not how things really are. It’s
hard to hold the holistic paradigm in your head when practicing a form of medicine in which treatments are
used to repair, restore function to or eliminate symptoms from a diseased part. If there is more than one
diseased part, there may be numerous medications or treatments utilized simultaneously and oftentimes
at odds with each other.
This issue has driven me to study and practice homeopathy. It is a system of medicine that aims to treat
the entire organism, including the mental, emotional and physical spheres, with a single medicine. It also
has clear definitions of what constitutes health and how to know when you’re there (although health is
really a journey, not a destination).
Our society tends to be very drug-oriented. We like rapid results and instant gratification. With many
alternative modalities, this is not possible or sometimes even desirable. It’s worth learning about an
alternative or conventionality modality before diving in. This will help you understand the process and
what to expect.
There are many resources for information about holistic medicine. The Internet, the library, the health food
store, and other people’s experiences can all be worthwhile sources for tips on health and healing.
How do you choose a veterinarian, whether conventional or alternative? Ask friends and family members.
Call the vet clinic for information, and, even better, visit. Go at a peak time and observe. Are the animals
terrified or merely nervous? Are they handled gently? Do you feel comfortable at the practice?
Credentials are important, but let your instincts guide you as you seek optimal health care for your pet.