When it comes to receiving the best health care, you want a medical approach that treats you as a whole person, not just someone with a disease. If you also want treatments that fix the underlying cause of your condition (not just drugs to treat the symptoms), that are non-invasive, and that tap into your body’s own natural healing power – then what you want is holistic medicine.
However, the term “holistic” may be holding you back from taking advantage of beneficial nontraditional treatments, such as Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, homeopathy, hypnotherapy, and more. The word holistic has an exotic sound to it, and seems so different from mainstream medical practice.
Mainstream Alternative Therapies
But the holistic approach to medicine isn’t as new or unconventional as you may think. In fact, it’s been around for thousands of years. And according to recent surveys, more than a third of American adults use alternative therapies, including:
- Dietary supplements such as herbs, vitamins, minerals, and probiotics
- Deep breathing exercises
- Yoga
- Tai chi
- Chiropractic
- Acupuncture
- Massage and physical therapy
Holistic Expertise
Holistic doctors should not be viewed with fear or skepticism. They are highly trained medical practitioners who believe health is an approach to life and an ongoing process. Often, holistic health providers cover a range of specialties, including (but certainly not limited to):
- Anti-aging
- Autoimmune disorders
- Cardiology and cholesterol management
- Chronic fatigue
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Sports medicine
- Preventive medicine
- Women’s health
Prevention and Overall Well-Being
Conventional medicine focuses on illness and its main causes (bacteria, viruses, biochemical imbalance to name a few) and generally treats the problem with drugs, surgery, or radiation. However, holistic medicine focuses on prevention, alternative treatments whenever possible, as well as the whole patient’s mental and emotional well-being. Holistic treatment is generally non-invasive with an emphasis on lifestyle changes, proper nutrition, and the avoidance of substances that may be toxic to the body.
Integrative Holistic Medicine
Depending on your individual medical needs, your holistic doctor may work with non-holistic practitioners on your behalf if conventional medications and surgical procedures are necessary, although there are physicians who combine conventional and holistic methods. This is known as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).
While holistic medicine differs from conventional Western medicine in this sense, it does not reject conventional approaches to health care, but often complements them with an integrative approach. For example, you may be prescribed medication, given a new diet to follow, and advised meditation all at the same time. Conventional medicine typically does not do the same.
Holistic Treatment in Minnesota and South Carolina
At Between the Bridges Healing Center, our holistic health care clinic utilizes the resources of the mind, body, and spirit to optimize our patients’ health in a calming environment.
If you are coping with a medical problem that doesn’t seem to be responding to conventional treatment, or simply want to improve your overall health, talk to the experts at Between the Bridges Healing Center in Mankato, Minnesota, about your alternative medicine options. We also have a satellite office in Clinton, South Carolina.
To make an appointment, call us today at (507) 388-7488 or fill out our online appointment request form. We look forward to evaluating your situation, answering your questions, and ultimately helping you feel better again.
