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What is Holistic Medicine?
Holistic medicine is a combination of conventional and alternative (complementary) medicine, combining the best aspects of both fields of medicine. There are health situations that arise in both humans and animals where one type of treatment is better than another for the patient.
Holistic medicine looks at the patient as an entire being with physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of each individual (human or animal) being considered in the therapy. Conventional medicine typically focuses on the one area of the body that is malfunctioning, without taking into account what has caused the imbalance in the body in the first place. In my own experience, I have found that treating my patients with holistic methods has made a world of difference in how quickly and thoroughly they recover from their illness. I could not imagine going back to purely conventional medicine now that I have seen the benefit of treating the patient as "whole" being.
There are many aspects of holistic medicine, or "modalities", as the various types of alternative medicine are called. The majority of holistic modalities have a well defined scientific basis. Some of these scientific based modalities include traditional Chinese medicine, Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Homeopathy, flower essences, nutritional therapy, meganutrient (also known as orthomolecular) therapy, and both western and Chinese herbal medicine. In Europe, there are numerous scientific studies which support the validity and benefit of the above mentioned modalities. Furthermore, in Europe and the far East, holistic medicine is more widely used and desired than conventional medicine approaches that we are acquainted with here in America.
There are many other lesser understood modalities, such as Reiki (energy healing) or magnet therapy, that involve energy fields which are part of each living creature. We are just now beginning to learn about these energy fields. When scientists begin to unravel the mysteries of quantum physics, we will perhaps have an understanding of the energy fields that surround and pulse thru our bodies. In the meantime, we can utilize what IS known about these energy fields to enhance and hasten healing of diseased and injured bodies. It is indeed an exciting time of discovery and diversity in both human and veterinary medicine.
To summarize, the above is a general overview of what comprises holistic (whole being ) medicine. You owe yourself and your animals the opportunity to live in greater wellness by embracing the tenants of holistic medicine. I have spent 28 years practicing vet medicine, with the last 10 years having emphasis on holistic and nutritional therapy with great success. For me, treating the patient as a "whole" is by far a more effective form of therapy than conventional medicine alone.
Wishing wellness and wholeness to you and yours, Dr. Carol
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