A common misconception regarding holistic medicine is the perception that it simply involves incorporating a natural approach to an individual’s lifestyle to help alleviate their problematic symptoms. Many do not understand that holistic medicine is so much more than that. This ancient practice is about healing the mind, body, and spirit, by using the patient and not simply their disease as an essential part of the healing process. To fully understand the methods behind these holistic practices and you are in the Washington DC area, contact Karen Threlkel, ND today to set up an appointment and learn how her comprehensive services can help you live a healthy life.
Holistic services and medicine are based on the understanding that the body can heal itself, and by removing obstacles that stand in its way and giving the body the support it needs, an individual can be responsible for maintaining their overall health and well-being.
The disease does not define the individual because the individual is a person and not the disease.
Many aspects are involved with healing an individual, including the patient, the doctor, and an array of different health care practices.
Treatment is so much more than just alleviating the symptoms; it also means resolving the problem that causes the disease.
Doctors that administer holistic services believe that the person is created of many interdependent parts. If one of these parts is not working correctly, all of the other parts are affected. In this way, these doctors see the individual as a whole person and understand that when an individual is experiencing any imbalance, whether emotional, spiritual, or physical, then their long-term health can be negatively impacted.
No one doctor makes up a holistic provider. In fact, holistic doctors can include doctors of osteopathy, medical doctors, chiropractors, homeopathic doctors, and naturopathic doctors. However, like with any other professional, just because they state they are a holistic provider, it is still crucial to do your research into choosing a holistic doctor that you trust. Make sure you find out about the individual’s training and experience, figure out their specialty and associations or hospitals they are affiliated with. Finally, look into their treatment philosophy to make sure they are similar to your own views and beliefs.
These holistic doctors want to treat you in a way that is not only minimally intrusive but strong enough to fight off the symptoms you are experiencing as well as the disease. These doctors accomplish this goal by asking you a lot of questions about yourself, including details about your background, exercise levels, diet, sleep, relationships, and how you feel emotionally. By examining your whole lifestyle, in addition to your problems, they will be able to come up with a treatment approach that goes beyond just pills and tackles your illness and the medical factors that are contributing to it.
Holistic doctors have a variety of treatment plans they use to help their patients achieve optimal wellness. Depending on their training and personal techniques, these treatments may include the following:
Promotion of a healthy lifestyle and changes patients should incorporate into their self-care routine to help promote their wellness. These can include exercise, psychotherapy, diet, relationship counseling, etc.
Alternative and complementary therapies (massage therapy, naturopathic medicine, homeopathy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, etc.) to help alleviate symptoms and get to the root of the issue.
This treatment includes using different systems that were developed outside of Western medicine approaches such as Ayurveda or energy therapies (healing touch or Reiki) that use energy to heal your body naturally.
A treatment plan that includes using Western medications and surgical procedures to minimize symptoms and diminish the disease, which can improve health outcomes in ways never imagined even a decade or two ago.
Deciding to use holistic services to improve your overall well-being, does not mean you have to give up on more conventional medicines. For example, if you are already using a specific medical treatment, you do not need to give up on that therapy and only stick with a holistic therapy.
Instead, you can combine these natural practices with more conventional therapies to help your body recuperate and heal from inside and out more effectively. It’s recommended that your holistic practitioner and medical doctor guide you though this to avoid possible interactions of therapies.
Holistic medicine can be a powerful tool for many people to experience the health that they always wanted. It not only draws on critical medical and scientific facts, but it also integrates people’s emotions, mind, spirit, and body to produce a better life with long-lasting health.
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4801 Wisconsin Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 407-8888
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