What is Holistic Healing?
Holistic healing is essentially how one approaches life. Rather than focusing on specific parts of the body and on illness, this ancient practice analyzes the whole person, including how he/she intermingles with his/her environment. Holistic health believes that to achieve maximum well being within the body, every aspect must be functioning at full speed. Holistic health practices each individual person taking charge and responsibility for their own well being.
Holistic healing dates back more than 5,000 years to China and India. Most recently, in the 20th century, holistic healing has become a popular alternative to traditional medicine in the U.S. As soon as western societies identified germs as disease-carrying agents, they believed that “fixing†these triggers through traditional medicines would cure the person, causing many people to rely on western medicine and lead unhealthy lifestyles.
As more people are embracing better health, many doctors are beginning to see that some medical cures are, in fact, more harmful than the originating disease. Additionally, many chronic medical conditions do not respond to traditional scientific medical treatments. In looking for alternative options, holistic health has become a more popular choice, focusing on vitality and well being.
Holistic healing includes several different practices and ideologies’, including that nature is a whole, made up of mutually dependent parts. The earth is comprised of plants, animals, air, water and land. For life to be sustained, these units cannot be separated. Additionally, a person is comprised of four parts – spiritual, physical, emotional and mental. When one part is not functioning properly, it impacts the remaining parts of the person. Essentially, if someone is stressed emotionally, this may lead to physical symptoms.
Holistic health is an ongoing, continuous process that involves a deep personal commitment to achieving a sense of well being. Even though life may delve out temporary setbacks, the person continually moves forward, heading towards achieving wellness.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sites the following statistics when related to an individual’s state of health:
- 10-percent is related to the quality of medical care;
- 18-percent is related to hereditary genes;
- 19-percent is environmentally related; and
- 53-percent is directly related to lifestyle choices.
As the majority of today’s illnesses are related to lifestyle choices, including alcohol, drugs, unprotected sexual activity and nicotine. Additionally, lifestyle excesses, such as caffeine, sugar and negative attitudes can also impact the body’s natural functions.
Dr. Bob Seiler is a Utah chiropractor that focuses on Salt Lake City holistic chiropractic techniques.