What is Holistic Medicine?

Holistic Medicine implies natural forms of healing such as, homeopathy, iridology, acupuncture, chiropractics, massage, herbology, reiki, reflexology, vitamins and minerals, soft tissue adjustment, and meditation.

Holistic Medicine looks at the whole person. It "treats" the cause of the problem, not the effect of the problem. Many Practitioners of Holistic Medicine strongly believe that for a person to be truly healthy, the mind, body and spirit must be in balance; if even one is "sick" then the person is not balanced.


Are Holistic Practitioners Medical Doctors?

Not all holistic practitioners are medical doctors. There are a few M.D's that practice some holistic medicine or are at the least, have some knowledge or even some working knowledge of holistic medicine.

Acupuncturists are Chinese Medical Doctors and Chiropractors are D.C's (Doctors of Chiropractic) and both have completed some type of traditional medical school, have degrees and are state board certified.

Doctors of Naturopathic Medicine are not M.D's. They have undergone years of multiple holistic studies usually in a school that is not considered accredited. (I want to clarify what is meant by accredited. Accredited simply means that the credit hours one earns while in the school can be transferred to another school so that one does not have to retake a class or course. It does not mean that the school or college is a fly-by-night or scam.) Currently, there are no state boards for those who have graduated or who have studies for many years. In essence, anyone at this time can claim to be an nd, but this does not mean that the person is not competent in the holistic field.

Massage Therapists do go to a college and are state board certified. It is actually illegal for anyone to do massage therapy on anyone else for money unless they are state board certified.


Can I see an MD and a Holistic Practitioner?

Yes. It is your responsibility to inform your MD of any herbal or holistic program you are on and to inform your holistic practitioner of any medications your MD has prescribed for you and to report any illness or disease to your holistic practitioner. Unfortunately, it is also your responsibility to educate your MD on any herbs you are taking. Medical Doctors do not always know what the herbs are for or what they can do when mixed with other medications. Your holistic practitioner can help to educate you on the do's and dont's of herbs.


How do I know if Holistic Medicine is right for me?

Holistic Medicine can be implied on anyone, infants, children, and adults. It can also be implied on animals both domesticated, wild and live stock. Holistic Medicine has virtually no ill side-effects from the herbals, provided the patient is honest with the Holistic Practitioner.

Holistic Medicine gives you control over your body and what goes in it. MD's don't give you a choice, they don't tell you what it is you are putting in your system and they don't tell you what it does. They simply expect you to take it with no questions asked. Holistic Practitioners will educate you on what they believe can help you and how you can help yourself to be healthy.

Most Holistic Programs feel good. There usually is no pain involved. For example, massage, reiki and meditation do not hurt at all. Massage and meditation actually make you feel good all over. How many times have you gone to see your MD feeling sick or in pain and walked out feeling the same or worse?

Moreover, Holistic Practitioners prepare a Program that is tailored to you. Medical doctors tailor you to the medications, believing one type of medication is right for everyone who has this type of disease. Your chemical make-up is not the same as your next door neighbor's. This is why more often than not, most medications people are given do not work for them or takes longer to work. Holistic Practitioners know this and can test you for things that your medical doctor would laugh you out of the office for.

Today, MD's are rushed for time. They fail to give their patient's the time required for a full exam and moreover, they fail to listen to the patient. Holistic Practitioners take the time to listen, they do not rush. I, personally, can recall a time when I went to see one of my old doctors. He came into the room, saw me for all of five minutes, then began writing prescriptions. He ripped them off the pad and handed them to me and walked out as I was trying to ask him a question. I literally had to run out behind him, catch him at the nurse's station and ask him the question I had wanted to ask in the first place. His response to me approaching him was "I don't have time right now. Make another appointment." Then when I told him he would answer my question, he lied to me. He had not only lied to me, but misdiagnosed me.

Ultimately, only you can decide if Holistic Medicine is right for you. Just remember one thing, knowledge is a powerful tool!


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