A holistic approach is an approach that looks at things as a whole and not just as parts. In medicine, a holistic approach changes the way a physician treats a patient since it focuses on supporting the body’s natural ability to heal and on treating the entire range of symptoms rather than addressing the most problematic ones.

Why Does The Holistic Approach Make Sense?

You are a whole person and not just a collection of organs. However, physicians will often focus on a single symptom, choose a relevant treatment such as a prescription and send you on your way.

With the holistic approach, your physician will look at your symptoms in a broader context. They will consider your overall well-being, your mind, your spirituality, and will develop a more comprehensive treatment plan that addresses your body, mind, and spirit.

This is an approach that makes sense since medical conditions are rarely limited to a single symptom. Being ill or experiencing pain can affect your sleep patterns, your stress levels, your moods, and result in more physical symptoms appearing.

The holistic approach is about finding a cure for the problem behind your symptoms rather than focusing on the symptoms. This approach prevents the problem from resulting in additional symptoms and usually results in the underlying issue going away for good.

There is a greater emphasis on the relation between the patient and the physician. A doctor who practices holistic medicine will really take the time to get to know you, to properly diagnose your symptoms, and to look for natural cures for your medical problems in the context of a customized treatment plan.

These physicians are more likely to recommend lifestyle or environmental changes, natural remedies, and to talk to you about self-care. They will recommend some strategies you can use to boost your mood and spirit so you can be better prepared to deal with physical symptoms.

Natural cures remedies are an important part of holistic medicine, but this doesn’t mean you won’t receive other types of treatments. It is possible to combine this approach with prescriptions, surgical procedures, and other more traditional treatments if needed.

Is The Holistic Approach Right For You?

A medical professional who doesn’t believe in holism will ask questions about the symptoms you are experiencing and recommend treatments for your most serious symptoms. The problem with this approach is that each patient has a unique collection of symptoms that may or may not match an existing diagnosis.

Medical professionals will usually prescribe the treatment they feel is most relevant for a patients’ most serious symptoms. Some secondary symptoms are often overlooked, and you might end up developing side effects because of the treatments prescribed.

Some symptoms might become recurring problems if your physician isn’t addressing the underlying issue. A good example of this is chronic pain. This medical issue affects more than 100 million Americans and prescribing painkillers isn’t a good way to address the underlying causes of this common problem.

You should think about scheduling an appointment with a healthcare provider who uses the holistic approach or even looking for ways to supplement your current treatment plan if you are experiencing chronic symptoms.

You should also look into holism if you are experiencing side effects because of prescriptions you are currently taking, if your doctor is ignoring some of your symptoms, or if your doctor has a hard time with finding a diagnosis that matches your symptoms.

Using a combination of home remedies and natural cure in combination with other medical treatments will help you manage your symptoms more efficiently and will boost your body’s natural ability to heal.

This could result in your medical problems disappearing or at least improve your quality of life. This approach will also empower you since you will be making more decisions regarding how your symptoms are treated.

Exploring Natural Cures And Therapies

Using natural treatments and home remedies for pain eliminates side effects. These are treatments you can use as needed to manage your symptoms and take back control of your life.

Here are some natural remedies and therapies you should think about exploring to create a customized treatment plan.

Acupressure And Acupuncture

These therapies are based on the belief that energy flows through your body. Scientists believe that acupuncture stimulates the nervous system, which results in better overall health.

Needles are inserted in specific points during an acupuncture session while acupressure uses pressure on these points. These therapies are often used to help patients manage pain.


Your sense of smell is connected to an area of the brain that is near many other important brain structures. Some scents trigger a positive reaction in your brain, which can have a positive impact on other nearby structures.

Aromatherapy is something you can easily do at home to keep stress under control or even to help with your sleep patterns.


Homeopathy is a combination of natural treatments and prescription drugs. However, small quantities are used to support your body’s natural ability to heal and recover. If you are dealing with side effects that are difficult to manage, homeopathy could be a good alternative to your current treatment plan.


Naturopathy is a school of thoughts that supports the use of diet, massages, and exercise to address medical problems. You can combine this approach with natural treatments. Herbs like ashwagandha or black cohosh are a common body pain relief home remedy that you can incorporate into your diet if you want to try this approach.

Ayurvedic Medicine

This alternative form of medicine originated in India more than 3,000 years ago. Ayurvedic medicine is about finding an internal balance and cleansing your body.

In some ways, Ayurvedic medicine is the ancestor of modern holistic medicine since it uses a combination of different treatments to improve your well-being. Typically, a practitioner would recommend that you make some changes to your diet, receive massages, and use herbs with healing properties.

Alexander Technique

Have you ever noticed how your posture and daily activities impact your overall well-being? The Alexander technique addresses this by providing you with strategies that will help you be more mindful of your body throughout your day.

The Alexander technique will make you more mindful of how you walk, stand, and sit. This can seem trivial, but it can make a real difference if your poor posture is resulting in back pain.


Balneotherapy is based on the healing properties of water. These treatments can use pressure from water, mudpacks, or water with a strong concentration of minerals.

Balneotherapy has positive effects on skin health and on the immune system, and it is believed that it could help with joint pain. These treatments are extremely relaxing and can help improve mood and stress levels.

Chiropractic Treatments

Chiropractic adjustments are often recommended in the context of a holistic treatment plan. A chiropractor will typically use controlled force on specific areas along your spine.

Chiropractic adjustments are ideal for chronic pain since they loosen muscles and help with joint movements. They can help while you recover from an injury or prevent chronic symptoms from returning when received regularly.


Reiki is somewhat similar to acupuncture since it targets specific points and focuses on energy flows. However, Reiki therapists use light touches to target these points.


There are several health benefits associated with exercising regularly. You can incorporate exercises like Pilates, yoga, or tai chi into your holistic treatment plan to get better results.

Pilates can result in healthier muscles and joints, help you manage stress, and even help you heal after an injury. Yoga is an excellent option if you want to be more active, improve your posture, and find a way to manage your stress.


A healthy diet is a crucial element of a holistic treatment plan. Eating the right foods can have a real impact on your mood and energy levels. A diet rich in vitamins will also support your body’s ability to heal.

Eliminating some foods from your diet could help reduce inflammation and toxin buildups. Reaching and maintaining a healthier weight could also make a real difference.

These holistic therapies are worth incorporating into your treatment plan if you want to address a wider range of symptoms as well as the underlying issues behind your symptoms. If you decide to receive a treatment like acupuncture, Reiki, or chiropractic, do some research to find a licensed therapist in your area and ask questions about their background and experience.

There are other forms of therapies such as natural cures, home remedies, and even some massage techniques that you can research and add to your treatment plan yourself. This could be a good place to start if you want to take a holistic approach to manage your symptoms.

Holistic medicine makes sense since focusing on the symptoms rather than on the patients rarely leads to satisfying results. You should look for a medical professional who adheres to this philosophy or look into adding some of these natural remedies and therapies to your current treatment plan.

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