Discussion Topic
Understanding Holistic Medicine
Posted on 10/21/09, 11:42 pm
Understanding Differences Between Holistic, Alternative, and Complementary Medicine
OCTOBER 21ST, 2009
BY ILANNA S MANDEL
PAGE 1 OF 4 | NEXT PAGE
Article Tools:
Email Article
Send to Twitter
Send to Facebook
Submit to Digg
Printable Version
The terms holistic medicine, alternative medicine and complementary medicine have often been used interchangeably. In fact, alternative medicine and complementary medicine are different and holistic medicine is a term which tends to embrace the larger definition of a system of treatment and practitioners who do not work within the system of conventional medicine. A more precise definition of the term is that holism is a philosophy that believes in treating the whole person and in the integration of mind, body and spirit. Holism promotes the belief that these three elements of a human being must be treated together in order to achieve any notion of âhealing,â rather than simply treating a person for a specific illness or injury.
In the holistic belief system, illness and injury are often the result of disharmony in the mind-body-spirit, which they see as one. The disharmony can often come about from a dysfunction in any one of these areas. But, holistic medicine believes that a dysfunction in one area affects the whole person and not just that one area of the body.
Research in Australia demonstrated that one of the reasons so many Australians seek out alternative and complementary medicine is because of the holistic philosophy which guides their work. Conversely, it is also the reason why many Australians are becoming less enthusiastic about western or conventional medicine. They see it as non-holistic in nature (Hassed, 2004).
One of the terms which is increasingly popular in western culture is âwellness.â It is not only a term we see in popular magazines advertising day spas and on the shelves of health food stores; wellness is becoming a philosophy that is permeating western society. Universities, colleges and even huge corporations are beginning to offer wellness programs for their staff. The notion of âholisticâ is the foundation for this growing movement of wellness. Many people today have become tired of waiting long hours in an emergency room only to be treated by a tired doctor. They want to take their well being into their own hands and they feel empowered when they do.
Holistic medicine is as much about a way of life as it is about medical treatment. The holistic philosophy embraces an approach that promotes overall body wellness.
Alternative Medicine
The term "Alternative Medicine" refers to alternative medical systems other than allopathic or traditional (conventional) western medicine. These include Traditional Chinese Medicine, Homeopathy and Herbalism. These all require certification and the practitioner is referred to as a doctor. They might carry the title of Naturopathic Physician or Doctor of Chiropractic. Alternative medicine is used in place of traditional or conventional medicine, although some people use them together.
Homeopathy
The growing popularity of alternative medicine is due in large part to the growth of homeopathy. This 250-year-old science was developed in the late 18thcentury by the German doctor and biologist, Dr. Samuel Hahnemann. One of the primary principles in homeopathy is the Law of Similars. The premise states that âlike cures like.â âIn other words, a substance produces symptoms of illness in a well person when administered in large doses. If we administer the same substance in minute quantities, it will cure the disease in a sick personâ (Novella et al., 2008, p.9). Hahnemann had very different ideas about the body than his colleagues who practiced conventional medicine. He believed in the concept of the âconstitution,â the notion that the body must be treated as a whole and that the right remedy would literally âkick startâ the system into healing itself at the most basic level. In this way, homeopathy would not treat disease, it would heal the body. The second principle is the Law of Infintesimals, which states that âSubstances become more potent when dilutedâ (Novella et al., 2008, p.9 )http://www.student-pulse.com/articles/9/understanding-differences-between-holistic-alternative-and-complementary-medicine
OCTOBER 21ST, 2009
BY ILANNA S MANDEL
PAGE 1 OF 4 | NEXT PAGE
Article Tools:
Email Article
Send to Twitter
Send to Facebook
Submit to Digg
Printable Version
The terms holistic medicine, alternative medicine and complementary medicine have often been used interchangeably. In fact, alternative medicine and complementary medicine are different and holistic medicine is a term which tends to embrace the larger definition of a system of treatment and practitioners who do not work within the system of conventional medicine. A more precise definition of the term is that holism is a philosophy that believes in treating the whole person and in the integration of mind, body and spirit. Holism promotes the belief that these three elements of a human being must be treated together in order to achieve any notion of âhealing,â rather than simply treating a person for a specific illness or injury.
In the holistic belief system, illness and injury are often the result of disharmony in the mind-body-spirit, which they see as one. The disharmony can often come about from a dysfunction in any one of these areas. But, holistic medicine believes that a dysfunction in one area affects the whole person and not just that one area of the body.
Research in Australia demonstrated that one of the reasons so many Australians seek out alternative and complementary medicine is because of the holistic philosophy which guides their work. Conversely, it is also the reason why many Australians are becoming less enthusiastic about western or conventional medicine. They see it as non-holistic in nature (Hassed, 2004).
One of the terms which is increasingly popular in western culture is âwellness.â It is not only a term we see in popular magazines advertising day spas and on the shelves of health food stores; wellness is becoming a philosophy that is permeating western society. Universities, colleges and even huge corporations are beginning to offer wellness programs for their staff. The notion of âholisticâ is the foundation for this growing movement of wellness. Many people today have become tired of waiting long hours in an emergency room only to be treated by a tired doctor. They want to take their well being into their own hands and they feel empowered when they do.
Holistic medicine is as much about a way of life as it is about medical treatment. The holistic philosophy embraces an approach that promotes overall body wellness.
Alternative Medicine
The term "Alternative Medicine" refers to alternative medical systems other than allopathic or traditional (conventional) western medicine. These include Traditional Chinese Medicine, Homeopathy and Herbalism. These all require certification and the practitioner is referred to as a doctor. They might carry the title of Naturopathic Physician or Doctor of Chiropractic. Alternative medicine is used in place of traditional or conventional medicine, although some people use them together.
Homeopathy
The growing popularity of alternative medicine is due in large part to the growth of homeopathy. This 250-year-old science was developed in the late 18thcentury by the German doctor and biologist, Dr. Samuel Hahnemann. One of the primary principles in homeopathy is the Law of Similars. The premise states that âlike cures like.â âIn other words, a substance produces symptoms of illness in a well person when administered in large doses. If we administer the same substance in minute quantities, it will cure the disease in a sick personâ (Novella et al., 2008, p.9). Hahnemann had very different ideas about the body than his colleagues who practiced conventional medicine. He believed in the concept of the âconstitution,â the notion that the body must be treated as a whole and that the right remedy would literally âkick startâ the system into healing itself at the most basic level. In this way, homeopathy would not treat disease, it would heal the body. The second principle is the Law of Infintesimals, which states that âSubstances become more potent when dilutedâ (Novella et al., 2008, p.9 )http://www.student-pulse.com/articles/9/understanding-differences-between-holistic-alternative-and-complementary-medicine
Welcome
