History and Philosophy Chapter 1

Treatment of the mind, body, spirit as a means to treat, prevent and or cure diseases of a chronic multifactoral nature. Combines conventional and complimentary therapies to prevent and treat disease with the objective to create holistic (optimal) health. Name a few? - answeranswer

Why are these methods gaining popularity even though most have been around for decades? Frustration with physicians ability to eliminate their suffering Want more than just a treatment for symptoms Avoid drugs or surgery

Optimal health is the primary goal of holistic medical practice. It is the conscious pursuit of the highest level of functioning and balance of the physical, environmental, mental, emotional, social and spiritual aspects of human experience, resulting in a dynamic state of being fully alive. This creates a condition of well-being regardless of the presence or absence of disease.

The Healing Power of Love. Holistic health care practitioners strive to meet the patient with grace, kindness, acceptance, and spirit without condition, as love is lifes most powerful healer.

Whole person. Holistic health care practitioners view people as the unity of body, mind, spirit and the systems in which they live.

Prevention and treatment. Holistic health care practitioners promote health, prevent illness and help raise awareness of dis-ease in our lives rather than merely managing symptoms. A holistic approach relieves symptoms, modifies contributing factors, and enhances the patients life system to optimize future well-being.

Innate Healing Power. All people have innate powers of healing in their bodies, minds and spirits. Holistic health care practitioners evoke and help patients utilize these powers to affect the healing process.

Integration of Healing Systems. Holistic health care practitioners embrace a lifetime of learning about all safe and effective options in diagnosis and treatment. These options come from a variety of traditions, and are selected in order to best meet the unique needs of the patient. The realm of choices may include lifestyle modification and complementary approaches as well as conventional drugs and surgery.

Relationship-centered care. The ideal practitioner-patient relationship is a partnership which encourages patient autonomy, and values the needs and insights of both parties. The quality of this relationship is an essential contributor to the healing process.

Individuality. Holistic health care practitioners focus patient care on the unique needs and nature of the person who has an illness rather than the illness that has the person.

Teaching by Example. Holistic health care practitioners continually work toward the personal incorporation of the principles of holistic health, which then profoundly influence the quality of the healing relationship.

Learning opportunities. All life experiences including birth, joy, suffering and the dying process are profound learning opportunities for both patients and health care practitioners.

HOLISTIC MEDICINE CONVENTIONAL Philosophy Based on the integration of allopathic (MD), osteopathic (DO), naturopathic (ND), energy, and ethno-medicine. Primary Objective of Care To promote optimal health and as a by-product, to prevent and treat disease. Based on allopathic medicine. To cure or mitigate disease.

HOLISTIC MEDICINE CONVENTIONAL Primary Method of Care Empower patients to heal themselves by addressing the causes of their disease and facilitating lifestyle changes through health promotion. Diagnosis Evaluate the whole person through holistic medical history, holistic health score sheet, physical exam, lab data. Focus on the elimination of physical symptoms. Evaluate the body with history, physical exam, lab data.

HOLISTIC MEDICINE CONVENTIONAL Primary Care Treatment Options Love applied to body, mind, and spirit with: diet, exercise, environmental measures, attitudinal and behavioral modifications, relationship and spiritual counseling, bioenergy enhancement. Secondary Care Treatment Options Botanical (herbal) medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture, manual medicine, biomolecular therapies, physical therapy, drugs, and surgery. Drugs and surgery Diet, exercise, physical therapy, and stress management.

HOLISTIC MEDICINE CONVENTIONAL Weaknesses Shortage of holistic physicians and training programs; time-intensive, requiring a commitment to a healing process, not a quick-fix. Strengths Teaches patients to take responsibility for their own health, and in so doing is: cost-effective in treating both acute and chronic illness; therapeutic in preventing and treating chronic disease; essential in creating optimal health. Ineffective in preventing and curing chronic disease; expensive. Highly therapeutic in treating both acute and life-threatening illness and injuries.

Physical Health Condition of high energy and vitality; strong immune function; absence of pain; a strong, flexible body; cardiovascular endurance; strong libido Environmental Health State of being in harmony with your surroundings; a sense of groundedness and aware of natures rhythms

Mental Health Contentment and peace of mind; having a sense of humor and optimism; living your life according to your vision Emotional Health Self acceptance and a high self esteem; being able to accept and express feelings; being in the zone

Spiritual Health Experience of unconditional love and absence of fear; feelings of gratitude and being connected to God or Spirit Social Health Condition of deep, committed relationships and the ability to forgive; selfless actions and altruism allow one to create a feeling of belonging

Recognize individual needs and create a wellness plan to match your goals Understanding homeostasis When the body maintains normal processes in response to various environmental changes When homeostasis is not maintained, the body manifests symptoms Fever, inflammation, GI distress, etc

We all should accept the responsibility to be part of recovery and future well being (empowerment) A lifestyle of sound nutrition balanced with appropriate levels of exercise and rest Understand what it means to be in harmony with our environment

Work at being socially connected and mentally, emotionally, and spiritually stable Recognize that each of us has specific individual and biochemical needs Focus on the person for treatment, not getting hung up on the symptoms

0 = Never 1 = Almost Never 2 = More than Sometimes 3 = A lot 4 = Just about Always

0 – 5 = Low Stress & Hostility = Mild Stress & Hostility = Moderate Stress & Hostility 21 & up = High Stress & Hostility