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An Introduction to Natural Healing and Holistic Remedies

natural healing

Criticism of mainstream medicine has led to the rising popularity of complementary and alternative medicine in the US and elsewhere.

If you are new to the world of natural healing and alternative remedies, it can seem a bit confusing.

Essentially, there are many schools of thought, philosophies, and techniques that are all encompassed within the world of natural health and holistic remedies.

Let’s take a look at what you need to know about natural healing and holistic medicine.

Natural healing is an umbrella term that refers to methods of healing that are non-invasive and are mostly achieved through natural means rather than those of conventional medicine.

Many people these days are becoming more and more inclined to look towards alternative medicines rather than conventional medicines. Alternative therapies and medicines are becoming so popular that even some health insurance providers will cover them.

Holistic medicine is a type of healing that takes into account the entire person. This means that it considers mind, spirit, body, and emotions in order to help people achieve their optimal wellness and health.

The primary goal of this practice is to achieve optimal balance throughout the body because mind, spirit, body, and emotions are all intimately interconnected. If one part is not functioning as it should be, then all of the other parts of the person may be impacted.

What this means is that if individuals experience imbalances in their lives, whether they be emotional, spiritual, or physical, it can have a negative impact on their overall well-being and health.

Because of this approach, holistic medicine incorporates a wide variety of healthcare remedies including some traditional, conventional medication as well as alternative remedies and therapies.

One of the ten principles of holistic medicine is that love and support are powerful healing tools. It is also based on the principle that each individual is responsible for their own well-being and health.

Other basic principles of the philosophy underlying holistic medicine include:

  • Each patient is a person and not a disease
  • All people possess innate healing powers
  • Resolving issues involve fixing the cause of the condition as opposed to just relieving the symptoms
  • Healing imbalances is a team effort between both the practitioner and the patient

As you can see, the principles of holistic medicine are quite different than the underlying principles of more traditional medicine.

There are a variety of techniques that holistic practitioners will use in order to assist patients in taking responsibility for their own health. These techniques might include:

  • Educating the patient on self-care and lifestyle changes involving exercise, diet, counseling, psychotherapy, and more
  • Acupuncture
  • Ayurvedic medicine
  • Homeopathy
  • Bowen technique
  • Aromatherapy
  • Reflexology
  • Hypnotherapy
  • Massage
  • Mindfulness
  • Traditional Chinese medicine
  • Yoga
  • Bioenergetic therapy
  • Western herbal medicine
  • Traditional Western medications and surgery when needed

As you can see, holistic medicine uses a wide variety of techniques in order to help patients take responsibility for achieving their optimal health.

There are a variety of practitioners of holistic medicine, some of which are licensed healthcare professionals.

Osteopaths are licensed physicians who use osteopathic manipulative medicine to treat health problems. What this entails is based on the idea that all the body’s systems are interrelated.  They focus on prevention by looking at how lifestyle and environment impact health.

They also use osteopathic manipulative treatment, which is the idea that your musculoskeletal system has an impact on your entire body. Osteopaths are medical doctors that are licensed to practice medicine.

Integrative physicians are also licensed medical doctors. Their approach to healthcare is integrative and involves combining complementary and alternative medicine with conventional treatments. This can involve a wide range of therapies.

Physicians who are integrative physicians do not get a specific degree to become an integrative doctor. Instead, they become a licensed physician through traditional means and then can have experience and training in complementary and alternative medicine.

Ayurvedic doctors are practitioners that use the ancient system of Indian medicine known as Ayurveda in order to treat health conditions. There is not a nationwide certification or license in the United States for this type of doctor, and therefore this type of practitioner is not recognized as a medical doctor in this country. In India, however, this person is considered a primary health care professional and is respected as such.

A naturopathic doctor is a person that is trained in naturopathic medicine. This is a medicinal system that combines natural therapies, holistic approaches, and Western science in order to treat health problems. These physicians are not recognized as medical doctors even though they attend naturopathic medical college where they study the same coursework as medical doctors.

Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners are those who practice an ancient form of Chinese medicine that include Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture. These Traditional Chinese professionals are not recognized as medical doctors here in the U.S.; however, their training typically includes a certification exam after 3 to 4 years.

Over the course of human history, people have used a wide range of techniques and remedies in order to maintain health and well-being. There are many fascinating natural healing techniques that could help you to achieve balance in your life.

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DISCLAIMER: These services are designed for educational purposes only and are not intended to serve as medical advice. The information provided on this site and in reports should not be used for diagnosing or treating any health problem or disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem or need medical attention, you should consult your healthcare provider.