Holistic health, alternative medicine, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) — what do they all mean? They seem to be new buzz phrases in the health community but many people have skepticism or misconceptions about the topic.
Well, there’s a big difference between the regular, American biomedical healthcare model we’re used to, and the holistic health model.
Ever feel like you wait forever to see a doctor — only to be seen for a few minutes, not listened to, and just given some drug to mask your symptoms? Americans are far too used to this, and many feel that it’s time for a change!
Unlike the biomedical model we’re used to, which simply focuses on the disease to treat the individual, holistic health focuses on the unique individual to treat the disease.
The biomedical model generally comes up with one set of solutions to cure or mask the symptoms of a disease, rather than work with the individual to find to roots of the problems and explore possible solutions and lifestyle changes to prevent the problem from reoccurring down the line.
There are so many factors that can influence our health including ecological, social, mental, physical, spiritual, internal and external factors.
Instead of simply focusing on the disease, holistic care providers look at the big picture, taking all aspects of health into account, as well as past and present lifestyle choices.
"Whole"-istic health focuses on the whole individual as a unique human being, instead of defining her by her disease.
Our current health care system could use a bit of a make-over, wouldn’t you say? Today in America, more than ever we are using a more integrated health care system.
A recent study from the American Hospital Association found that 42 percent of hospitals are now offering at least one complementary or alternative medical treatment.
Although each hospital is different in their alternative treatment offerings, we’re finally moving to a more integrated health care system.
In fact, according to the nutrition and food website archive, 76 percent of health care workers use complementary alternative medicine (CAM), as opposed to 63 percent of the general population.
“Even more revealing, health care providers, including doctors and nurses, were more than twice as likely to have used practitioner-based CAM, and nearly three times as likely to use self-treatment with CAM, during the prior year than support workers.”
It’s time that we see a positive change in our health care system that we oftentimes find ourselves relying on. Talk to your doctor about any alternative treatments that may work for you, or look for your very own holistic doctor.
Sources:
Andrews, M. (2011, November 15). Hospitals Offer Alternative Treatments: Acupuncture, Yes; Ginkgo, No : Shots - Health Blog : NPR. NPR : National Public Radio : News & Analysis, World, US, Music & Arts : NPR. Retrieved December 22, 2011, from
http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2011/11/15/142341752/hospitals-offer-alternative-treatments-acupuncture-yes-ginkgo-no?ps=sh_stcatimg
Holistic vs. Biomedical Model. (n.d.). Optimal Breathing For Education, Evaluation, Services. Superior Health, Peak Performance, Life Extension!. Retrieved December 22, 2011, from
http://breathing.com/articles/holistic.htm
Why Do Doctors, Nurses Often Use Holistic Medicine for Themselves?. (n.d.). The Nutrition and Food Web Archive-hosted by Hurricane Electric (he.net). Retrieved December 22, 2011, from
http://www.nafwa.org/general-nutrition/alternative-nutrition/32990-why-do-doctors-nurses-often-use-holistic-medicine-for-themselves.html
Reviewed December 26, 2011
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith