Author: James Anderson

The Beginner’s Guide to Holistic Health

Not everyone wants to start with medication; many prefer to try complementary methods first. Reading reviews of holistic health practitioners you are considering can be helpful. A recommendation from your healthcare provider or close family and friends is invaluable.

Benefits of Holistic Therapy

After all, when your body, mind, and soul are cared for holistically, you’re able to pursue and meet your goals with less resistance. The spiritual pillar will look different for everyone because it’s such a personal piece of overall wellness. It will play a stronger role in one person’s life more than another, depending on how each person defines it. The impact of surrounding yourself with those that care for you can’t be understated. When the demands of life increase and stress mounts, the ability to turn to someone for support and understanding is powerful. Building and maintaining these networks take time and energy, but the work is worth the effort.

This means wellness depends on more factors than simply avoiding the flu each year. You may seek out a chiropractor if you have discomfort in your back, neck, or extremities. Chiropractors often recommend other changes to diet, supplements, exercise, and stress management. There are other examples of how one area of wellness might affect the others. If you’re feeling poorly on an emotional level, it could affect you physically in a variety of ways. You might not sleep well, feel fatigued, or even experience physical discomfort.

It is based on the body’s meridians — or energy highways — where qi (or energy) flows. It is thought that these energy highways or channels provide access to the different systems of the body. Our Emotion Code, Body Code, and Belief Code Practitioners would be happy to help guide you through starting your holistic health journey! For example, Sumpf says people should check with their healthcare professional before trying sound baths if they are pregnant or have a history of epilepsy. Though often thought of as a way to release physical pain, it may help mental and emotional health, though the research is still incomplete. A 2019 study indicates that reiki could reduce depression and anxiety and improve quality of life.

How to Get Started

A third reason for the growth, interest and use of integrative therapies is the degree of chronic stress in the American lifestyle. Workplace stress, long commutes, relationship issues and financial worries are just some of the concerns that make up a long list of stressors. Sumpf and Crawford believe anyone can try holistic therapy, but certain types of therapy may not be best for some individuals. Sumpf typically has clients fill out a comprehensive intake form before the first session.

An ayurvedic doctor seeks to restore this balance with practices that include special diets, herbal supplements, yoga, massage, and meditation. Unlike India, the U.S. doesn’t license ayurvedic practitioners, and they aren’t considered medical doctors. Mindful meditation is one of the most widely used holistic health practices. While you may seek guidance from a recording or personal guide, you can easily practice it on your own, in the comfort of your own home. There are many different kinds of meditation for spiritual growth, progressive relaxation, stress management, focus, etc. Many people embrace meditation as a mind-body approach to holistic health.

Some non-medical approaches, like exercise, a healthy diet, and stress reduction, are well-researched and known to work well. Others, like IV vitamin treatments, have little scientific evidence to back them up. That’s why it’s best to use such treatments to complement standard medical treatments, not replace them. While few “alternative” methods of holistic health care are well-researched and studied, most would agree that they are generally safe.

1. Holistic health means considering all aspects of a person, including physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual health.
2. After all, when your body, mind, and soul are cared for holistically, you’re able to pursue and meet your goals with less resistance.
3. Here are a few examples of holistic health practices you may encounter.
4. Maybe you also belong to an organized religion or talk with a spiritual adviser.

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Conventional medicine often focuses primarily on the physical symptoms of disease. Holistic health also focuses on how other aspects of a person’s life, including environment, spirituality, and culture, contribute to their health. Chiropractic medicine is based on the idea that the function of your body is linked to the alignment of your spine. Chiropractors do hands-on manipulation of your spine in an effort to ease pain and improve your health without medicine or surgery. They may do imaging and lab tests, and sometimes give you exercises to do at home.

The origins of holistic therapy and its growing popularity today

Some people might practice mindfulness as a way of checking in with their intentions, guiding their actions, and maintaining a values-based approach to life. The term energy healing is used to describe a variety of holistic healing techniques that use the natural mind-body connection to promote emotional and physical well-being. By accessing, channeling, balancing, and manipulating the body’s natural energy centers, energy healing processes may help support health.

It also includes addressing mental and emotional health through self-care, education, and lifestyle modifications that promote better health. Strengthening this pillar requires careful attention to your diet and appropriate supplementation. But nutritional improvements will help strengthen the other seven pillars of holistic health and wellness. When it comes to mental well-being, a holistic approach will usually take into account not only medical and psychiatric issues, but spiritual and emotional ones as well.

It’s important to do breathwork in consultation with a licensed healthcare professional. Sumpf says breathwork can also increase lung capacity, decrease anxiety, and improve sleep. A 2017 study of 40 healthy adults indicates that diaphragmatic breathing, a common tool in holistic therapy, could improve cognitive function and lower stress responses. Crawford says evidence, rather than anecdotes, has helped bring credibility to using holistic therapy in the mental health space. She also credits a growing body of research and the 2015 publication of “The Body Keeps The Score” by Bessel van der Kolk, MD, for the growing integration of holistic therapy into modern practices.

Wellness Topics

Because holistic therapy is flexible, your needs can be evaluated, and your plan adapted as you progress through therapy based on your needs. The first step is to find a professional in your area who practices holistic therapy. Online therapy may be an option in some cases, but many of the more hands-on practices (massage and Reiki, for example) require in-person appointments.