MODERN high-tech medicine excels in the handling of medical emergencies, a number of bacterial infections, trauma care, and many daring complex surgical techniques, but, "it has failed miserably in the areas of disease prevention and the management of the myriad new and chronic illnesses presently filling our hospitals and physicians' offices."
Such physical maladies just described, manifest according to Dr. Jeffrey Bland, a state of "vertical ill health"-- a state where the ailing is not sick enough to lie down (whence they would become 'horizontally ill'), "yet still consider themselves 'normal' because most of the people they know are equally unhealthy." As London-based Dr. Leon Chaitow describes, "They derive only limited benefit from the flood of tranquilizers, antidepressants, and anti-inflammatory drugs they are commonly prescribed, while the side effects they develop from these drugs just add to their woes." In truth, the practice of modern medicine is "the equivalent of waiting for a leaky roof to destroy the infrastructure of a house and then repairing the damage without fixing the leak. This is naturally expensive and ineffective." In regard to the increasing inadequacy of conventional medicine, is there a choice for a different path to healing?
The answer: holistic medicine
The underlying view of the non-conventional practice of medicine is that infecting microbes known as germs (bacteria, viruses, and fungi) only become infectious if the conditions inside the body were ripe for them due to imbalances in various body systems. This alternative view runs counter to modern medicine's emphasis on infectious causes of disease, and its rootedness on microscopy, bacterial cultures, vaccines, X rays, antibiotics, and other potent chemical drugs.
In contrast to the germ theory focus, holistic medicine views human beings as consisting of body, mind, and spirit, and that health represented a harmonious balance within all these three aspects of being. According to the holistic medicine's philosophy, one can achieve optimal health -- the primary goal of holistic medicine practice -- by gaining proper balance in life.
The treatment of the "whole person" and not just the individualized body parts is the base view of holistic or integrative healing. It is the art and science of healing that addresses care of the whole person -- body, mind, and spirit. The practice of holistic medicine integrates conventional and complementary therapies to promote optimal health and prevent and treat disease by addressing contributing factors.
In practice, this means that each person is seen as a unique individual, rather than an example of a particular disease. The disease is understood to be the result of physical, emotional, spiritual, social and environmental imbalance. Healing, therefore, takes place naturally when these aspects of life are brought into proper balance. The role of the practitioner is as a "guide, mentor and role model; the patient must do the work -- changing lifestyle, beliefs and old habits in order to facilitate healing." All appropriate methods may be used, from medication to meditation. Thus, when a person suffering from back pains pays a visit to a holistic doctor, instead of walking out solely with medications, the doctor will likely take a look at all the potential factors that may be causing the person's backaches: other health problems, diet, and sleep habits, stress and personal problems, and preferred spiritual practices. The treatment plan may involve drugs to relieve symptoms, but also lifestyle modifications to help prevent the headaches from recurring.
Holistic medicine is based also on the belief that unconditional love and support is the most powerful healer, and a person is ultimately responsible for his or her own health and well-being. Other principles of holistic medicine include the following:
All people have innate healing powers.
A patient is a person, not a disease.
Healing takes a team approach involving the patient and doctor and addresses all aspects of a person's life using a variety of health care practices.
Treatment involves fixing the cause of the condition, and not just alleviating the symptoms.
The end of holistic medicine is not only disease prevention and cure. It is also to help patients create and maintain optimal health, help them " learn to safely and effectively treat any physical, mental, and spiritual condition that may be impeding the flow of vital energy in their lives, so that they not only start to get better, they also begin to thrive and experience more energy and joy in being alive."