FREE ESSAY ON HOLISTIC MEDICINE

HOLISTIC MEDICINE

In a lot of conditions, medical cures and treatments have proven more harmful than the
disease itself. In looking for other options, people all over the world have been turning
back to the holistic way of health and healing.
Holistic medicine is the art and science of healing the WHOLE person, or in holistic
terms, the mind body and spirit. The practice of holistic medicine integrates
conventional and alternative therapies to prevent and treat diseases and promote optimal
health. This condition of holistic health is defined as the ultimate free flow of life
energy force throughout the mind, body, and spirit.
As I mentioned before, three parts make up the whole person. Based on a common law of
nature, whole parts are made up of independent parts. 
The body, which is treated and cared for through nutritional medicine, fitness medicine,
and environmental medicine. The mind (mental and emotional health) which is basically
behavioral medicine. The spirit is treated with spiritual attunement and social health.
When one of these three parts isn't functioning correctly or is impaired for some reason,
the other parts of the person are affected. For example, a person growing nervous or
anxious about an upcoming exam can literally give themselves a headache or stomachache. 
Even Socrates, one of the greatest philosophers in history of time said in order for the
whole of a person to be well, the individual parts must be well also. This can be
achieved by many things.
For example, acupuncture is used to identify and treat disease and improve well being.
During acupuncture, needles are inserted into the meridian points of the body. Sickness
occurs when the flow of blood or "chi" is blocked at these points. The pressure applied
to these points relieves blockage and buildup thus leaving the patient feeling better.
Acupuncture can treat anything from allergies, headaches, sinus infections, stress,
insomnia and chronic pain. For those people who don't enjoy needles or wont tolerate
needles at all there is colorpuncture. Colorpuncture is basically acupuncture without
needles.
Meditation is another accepted form of holistic health. Meditation is using different
methods of relaxation to calm yourself and make you healthier inside. Candles, salves,
oils and incense are all commonly used during meditation. Meditation is an accepted form
of recovery and health promotion in the medical field.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing is yet another form of holistic healing.
This helps remove conflict and stress from your life and promote success and happiness.
Reflexing and resetting is the vibrating and stimulation of the body's reflexes. It is
most commonly done through the feet and can help with sleep disorders.
Biofeedback is recognizing and manipulating the body's signals. It helps to treat
migraines, panic attacks, anxiety, hypertension, and A.D.D.
Some of the most common methods of holistic healing are resurfacing just about
everywhere. Aromatherapy is therapy using scents to relax the mind, body, and soul. There
is a line of products in Wal-Mart now called "aromatherapy" and even well known companies
such as Delia's manufacture aromatherapy pillows.
Chiropractors are a readily accepted form of holistic treatment. Chiropractors manipulate
the body's muscles and bones to relieve pain and stress. 
Massage and is a big part of holistic life. There are deep tissue massages, Swedish
massages etc... All of which help muscular posture, balance, stress reduction, increase
of circulation and energy flow.
Nutrtiion is also an important part in a holistic lifestyle. Health food stores such as
GNC are popping up everywhere. With nutritionists come herbalists who also deal with
weight management and vitamins.
There is holistic dentistry which is generally mercury free and has less exposure to
x-ray's and harmful chemicals.
There is even Holistic Veterinary care which treats pets in the same way as humans. Pets
said to be lost cases are sometimes revived by this form of veterinary care. Anything
from arthritis, skin infections, and allergies can be cured.
Feng Shui is not as common in the US yet. It is Chinese consultancy in arrangement of
objects in the home or office to achieve harmony. It is said your outer world is a mirror
of your inner world. Lots of water fountains are used.
Spiritual Psychics, Astrologists, Child Birth, Tai Chi, Yoga, even health and beauty are
all reviving to holistic methods.
These different treatments all fall under the six specialized areas of holistic healing
1. Bimolecular Diagnosis and Therapy
2. Botanical medicine
3. Energy Medicine
4. Ethan-Medicine
5. Homeopathy
6. Manual Medicine
Basically a holistic lifestyle is trying to unite your body with gravity and your heart
with your mind. Once all your parts are in harmony, for example the ying and yang, you
can achieve perfect health. In my opinion the holistic way of life is a very interesting
way of life that really intrigues me. I would like to acquire the skills and self-control
some of these methods call for. Some methods really don't appeal to me, for example
acupuncture, but other methods such as meditation, aromatherapy, reflexology, and feng
shui, are all valid forms of the holistic way of life that would definitely be of
interest to me. Although some people think that this way of life is crazy etc, I think it
is helpful and important in every day life. Just about everyone can practice this
lifestyle in the easiest of ways. Although many people do not believe in the holistic way
of life, even more people are firm followers of these concepts and it is sure to be an
evergrowing idea that lasts for generations to come.