Unlike traditional, or allopathic, medicine, which focuses on illness or specific parts of the body, holistic medicine considers the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. This approach also looks at how each individual interacts with their environment, believing that we are not separate from our surroundings. Holistic alternative medicine encompasses a wide array of time proven treatments that include, but are not limited to, acupuncture, aromatherapy, massage, chiropractic, homeopathy, and reflexology. Holistic medicine also incorporates traditional medical tests and treatments where appropriate. In holistic health, each individual is an active participant in their treatment and takes responsibility for the daily choices that contribute to—or detract from—their level of health.

“The holistic approach takes the broadest possible view of illness and disease, identifying multiple causes (both internal and external), and offering multi-dimensional "healing," as opposed to specific "cures," says Lonny J. Brown, Ph.D., author of Self-Actuated Healing who turned to supplements, vitamins, exercise, and dietary and lifestyle changes to reverse the course of Rheumatoid Arthritis after he was diagnosed in his 20s.

History of Holistic Medicine
Historically, a healthy lifestyle that included living harmoniously with nature was emphasized in ancient healing traditions as far back as 5,000 years ago. In more recent times, the Greek philosopher Socrates warned that treating just one part of the body would not yield good results. Holistic methods lost their appeal during the 20th century as scientists discovered that external germs caused disease. The focus of medicine turned towards killing microscopic invaders with synthesized drugs. Along with this came the notion that modern medicine would “fix” whatever ailed you, regardless of outside stressors, food choices, and exercise habits.

Researchers later discovered that medical “cures” may be more harmful than the diseases themselves and that many chronic conditions, including those that effect people with disabilities, do not respond to allopathic medical treatments. People began to look for other approaches, leading them back to the age-old holistic approaches.

The Holistic Medical Approach
In holistic medicine each individual considered as a whole made up of the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.  Each person is also considered in relation to his or her environment, including cultural and socioeconomic aspects. Thus, when something isn’t working optimally in one system, it impacts the rest of the person. When environmental stressors, such unresolved conflict with bosses or loved ones or past traumas, go unresolved, these also may lead to physical symptoms such as migraines, heart disease, and chronic fatigue.

What to Expect
Usually holistic practitioners spend an hour or more on the initial evaluation. In addition to incorporating their specialty they may make recommendations that could include both allopathic and alternative tests. and treatment modalities that support the body’s natural ability to heal. Each individual is invited to become an active participant in cultivating health and well-being, rather than merely being the recipient of a treatment. Instead of focusing only on eliminating symptoms, holistic medicine aims to discover the root cause of symptoms, believing that every symptom is a cry for help from something that needs attention. Holistic medicine also places a focus on prevention of illness and disease.

The Holistic Lifestyle
A holistic lifestyle will vary according to each individual’s medical condition(s), stresses and available social support. In holistic health, it is assumed that each individual, regardless of their state of health or disease, can improve their state of well-being through healthy lifestyle choices. A proper diet provides the essential nutrients, or building blocks, to create new healthier cells (the body continuously replaces cells); reducing harmful substances including alcohol, nicotine, and drugs, reduces stress on the body’s systems; the right exercise improves mood, energy levels, and flexibility; and cultivating positive mental attitudes and eliminating negative messages from people, media, and entertainment promotes self esteem.

The Benefits of Holistic Medicine
Focusing on the whole person, including the individual as a partner in improving health, cultivating a positive lifestyle, and using an array of alternative and sometimes allopathic modalities as appropriate promotes greater vitality and well-being and also naturally motivates each individual to continue towards a greater state of health.

For more information, visit

American Holistic Health Association

American Holistic Medical Association