| Holistic medicine is based on healing principles and | | | | spirit medicines. Like all holistic medicine methods, |
| treatments that are intended to prevent dis-ease; | | | | naturopathy is based on the philosophy that takes |
| and maintains health and wellness by facilitating | | | | into account all aspects of life; and the |
| the body's innate abilities (to heal itself). | | | | interrelationship of physical, mental, and emotional |
| As an integrative system of health intervention | | | | wellbeing. In doing so, natural health treatments |
| and maintenance, holistic medicine is comprised of | | | | are customized to meet the health and wellness |
| mind-body-spirit medicine and natural health | | | | needs of the patient as an individual, and not just |
| treatments like chiropractic, naturopathy, | | | | for the treatment of symptoms. |
| homeopathy, energy healing, and massage | | | | Massage therapy is a fast-growing holistic |
| therapy. The philosophy (of all of these | | | | medicine in these United States. While it is |
| complementary therapies) shared in common is | | | | probably one of the most non-invasive forms of |
| the belief in doing no harm and treating the | | | | natural health care, it is one of the widely |
| "whole" person, and not just the "dis-ease." | | | | recommended treatments for stress, chronic |
| Holistic medicine like chiropractic is typically | | | | muscle pain, and other common health issues. |
| administered by an educated and licensed D.C. | | | | Licensed massage therapists generally administer |
| (Doctor of Chiropractic). Integrating a combination | | | | basic forms of bodywork including Swedish |
| of therapies, chiropractors will often design a | | | | massage, deep tissue therapy, and sports |
| treatment plan specific to the individual; which | | | | massage; however, some holistic medicine |
| may include holistic nutritional counseling, bodywork | | | | practitioners who have received more advanced |
| therapies, and gentle spinal adjustments. | | | | training, may offer modalities like acupressure, |
| Homeopathy, another form of holistic medicine, | | | | craniosacral therapy, infant/pre-natal massage, |
| was developed by Samuel Hahnemann during the | | | | myofascial release, Trigger Point therapy, and |
| 18th century. Homeopathy facilitates diluted | | | | more. Additionally, some massage therapists may |
| remedies created with animal, plant, and mineral | | | | provide reiki and energy healing services. |
| substances. Founded on the principles that "like | | | | Interested in learning more about this or other |
| cures like," this holistic medicine field is not only | | | | holistic therapies? Let professional training within |
| gaining acceptance in the Western world, but is | | | | fast-growing industries like massage therapy, |
| also finding its way into European and Indian | | | | holistic health, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, |
| traditional medical universities as part of | | | | and others get you started! Explore holistic |
| comprehensive curricula. | | | | medicine [ courses near you. |
| Naturopathy is by far, one of the most inclusive | | | | What is Holistic Medicine? |
| holistic medicine systems available today. | | | | © Copyright 2008 |
| Naturopathic medicine entails a broad spectrum of | | | | The CollegeBound Network |
| natural healing modalities including acupuncture, | | | | All Rights Reserved |
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| holistic nutritional counseling, chiropractic, | | | | charge to relevant websites, as long as Copyright |
| homeopathy, herbal medicine, hydrotherapy, and | | | | and Author Resource Box are included; and ALL |
| even massage therapy, among other mind/body | | | | Hyperlinks REMAIN intact and active. |