| Holistic medicine is not really an actual treatment | | | | symptoms. |
| system-it is more of a treatment philosophy. | | | | Holism is a system of philosophy which can apply |
| Throughout much of the history of holistic | | | | to many different types of |
| medicine this type of treatment has been | | | | treatment-homeopathy, naturopathy, traditional |
| considered highly alternative, and it is only recently | | | | Chinese medicine, and even conventional medical |
| that the mainstream medical establishment has | | | | treatments, can incorporate aspects of holism. In |
| begun integrating the holistic approach in medicine. | | | | addition, holistic medicine rarely, if ever, completely |
| The Holistic Philosophy | | | | rules out or ignores any particular branch of |
| The philosophy of holism is that the entire patient, | | | | medicine. The idea with holism is that the |
| rather than just their symptoms, is examined and | | | | practitioner and the patient are both open to |
| treated. A patient and their symptoms are | | | | trying new approaches, within the goal of |
| considered inseparable under the principles of | | | | improving the patient's health and well-being. |
| holistic medicine and the individuality of a | | | | Important Principles of Holistic Medicine |
| patient-their emotional, spiritual, and physical | | | | Holistic medicine has some important principles |
| state-is considered to be important. Whereas | | | | which all holistic doctors strive to employ, |
| conventional medicine often considers and treats | | | | regardless of the type of medicine they actually |
| only the symptoms of a patient, while ignoring the | | | | practice.o The primary goal of holism is optimal |
| overall well-being of the patient themselves, | | | | health-including emotional and spiritual, as well as |
| holistic medicine considers all aspects of the | | | | physical, health.o The patient and their symptoms |
| patient are equally important. | | | | are not separate entities, and the individuality of |
| This means, for example, that when a holistic | | | | the patient is never ignored.o Holistic health care |
| physician examines a patient, they don't only | | | | emphasizes prevention as well as curative |
| investigate physical symptoms. They may also | | | | treatment.o Holistic treatment often emphasizes |
| look at the patient's emotional, social, and spiritual | | | | the body's own innate healing power to help |
| well-being, in addition to their physical condition. | | | | hasten the process of healing.o Holistic physicians |
| The goal with this treatment philosophy is to | | | | are typically open to investigating new treatment |
| improve the patient's well-being in all areas of their | | | | options-nothing is ever ruled out, even |
| life, instead of simply addressing their physical | | | | conventional medicine. |