Facts You Need to Know about Holistic Alternative Medicine

The cost of health care has steadily risen over the past decade. Without medical, dental and prescription drug insurance, many people simply cant pay for necessary treatment. Holistic alternative medicine could help defray many medical costs because of its focus on preventing illness; it is much less expensive to prevent an illness or injury than it is to treat one.

The Canadian Holistic Medicine Association describes holistic alternative medicine as a system of health care which fosters a cooperative relationship among all those involved, leading to an optimal attainment of the physical, emotional, social and spiritual aspects of health. Rather than seeing a patient just as the kidney failure in room 602, holistic alternative medicine the entire personal spectrum of every person including environment, nutrition, and lifestyle.

Thus, holistic alternative medicine focuses on the whole person, not merely the persons particular physical or emotional needs. Medication and surgery is a part of holistic treatment, if there is no other choice. Susan Walter, President of the American Holistic Association fully explains holistic alternative medicine on their official web site, AHHA.com. It is easiest to view holistic alternative medicine as effective treatment for all of you, not just the part of you that isnt working correctly.

How Does Holistic Alternative Medicine Work?

The many principles of holistic health are sometimes referred to simply as alternative medicine. But holistic alternative medicine is much more than this. Some forms of alternative medicine, such as aromatherapy, herbal preparations, meditation, Feng Shui, Reiki, acupuncture, homeopathy and others, may not be compatible with traditional medicine. In contrast, Animal-Assisted Therapy was once considered as alternative medicine; today, AAT is rapidly becoming a traditional therapy based upon its years of proven effectiveness. Holistic alternative medicine also values AAT as contributing to a patients overall physical and emotional health.

Holistic alternative medicine not only treats patients in the whole person context, it also focuses on a patients personal responsibility to achieve whole health and balance. For example, if you see a holistic practitioner because of a severe cough and you smoke two packs of cigarettes a day, the holistic alternative medicine practitioner would immediately advise you to stop smoking and provide you with many traditional and alternative ways for you to stop making yourself sick by smoking cigarettes.

The same approach applies to those who are addicted to alcohol and/or other drugs. A traditional medical approach to addiction is effective; a holistic practitioner of alternative medicine can often help you identify the emotional, social and spiritual issues that contribute to addiction and is essential knowledge and understanding your addiction.

Skilled holistic alternative medicine professionals concur with the physicians oath to first, do no harm.

This article on Holistic Alternative Medicine is taken from: http://herbalmedicineweb.com/facts-you-need-to-know-about-holistic-alternative-medicine.html

Alternative Medicine

Alternative medicine provides services not available through conventional medicine, incorporating spiritual, metaphysical, and religious traditions, along with emerging methods of treatment and healing. Alternative medicines include naturopathy, Ayurveda, homeopathy, acupuncture and acupressure, chiropractic, hydrotherapy, hypnotherapy, and many other therapies and medicines that are designed to restore and maintain good health.

The principle of holistic alternative medicine is that a pathogen, a virus or bacteria, for instance, is not the cause of illness, but rather that illness is the consequence of the body's reaction to the pathogen. Naturopathic and holistic alternative medicine practitioners threat their patients with methods that alleviate the symptoms of the disease. Various alternative medicine methods are effective in treating a wide range of major and minor medical conditions, and research has proven that specific alternative treatments are effective. Research also proves that the demand for alternative medicines is growing, and that some conventional physicians support aspects of alternative medicine.

Alternative medicine promotes patient empowerment, psychic and spiritual growth, and mental, emotional, and physical health. Alternative medicine teaches the positive effects of good nutrition and the intake of supplemental vitamins and minerals, and uses of plants, herbs, and animal and mineral products that treat illness and promote health.

Find the alternative medicine school that suits you by searching the many options found at www.schoolsgalore.com.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com

Copyright 2006 - All Rights Reserved K. Monteith in association with Media Positive Communications, Inc. for SchoolsGalore.com

About the Author

K. Monteith is a staff writer for Media Positive Communications, Inc. in association with SchoolsGalore.com . Find Alternative Medicine Schools at SchoolsGalore.com; meeting your needs as your educational resource to locate schools.