Holistic health and how alternative medicine forms part of it, is a very broad subject, and we can only touch on the subject in a blog post, but here are the basics.
Holistic health
The essence of the concept of Holistic health is that health is more than the absence of disease. It involves deeper well-being of body, mind and spirit.
These three components are inseparable from and affect each other's health. The client also functions within a social system, and this system should also be healthy to avoid unnecessary stress.
There are currently many questions about:
- medication with many side effects
- suppressing symptoms with medication
- too little attention to the cause of the problem (e.g. why chronic stress or depression is present)
Another important principle is that it is just as important who the client is, as what the condition is.
The question of whether you are willing to give up what makes you sick, can also be asked.
Our focus
Therapists, practitioners and doctors in complementary or alternative medicine focus on treating the whole person. The premise is that especially emotions that are out of balance, have a ripple effect on one's health.
Longer consultations
In these fields, you will find that a consultation lasts an hour or more, and that the practitioner really listens to you to try to determine why you are not healthy. It is just as important for us to know that your employer is a bully, as that you have a tension headache.
Example
The simplest way to describe it, is that persistent tension will eventually cause a stomach ulcer. Similarly, years of bitterness, frequent anger outbursts and persistent feelings of guilt, will eventually cause a medically demonstrable condition.
Balance
Complementary or alternative medicine mainly tries to bring about emotional balance, so that illness can be prevented.
Most well-known complimentary or alternative fields
The two most well-known complementary disciplines are Aromatherapy and Homeopathy.
Aromatherapy
In Aromatherapy, the chemistry of fragrant plants is used to reach the part of the brain where learning, memory, emotions and the hormonal system are. By e.g. treating too much anger and frustration, the body will endeavour to restore its balance, instead of expressing it in a heart attack.
Homeopathy
In homeopathy, minuscule amounts of a natural component that e.g. would cause a bladder infection, is used to stimulate the body to build up its own resistance to it.
Qualifications
Aromatherapists are trained by colleges and can register with IAOTH (International Association of Therapists).
Homeopaths are trained at the Durban University of Technology and register with the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa.
Old
Some forms of complimentary healing are as old as humanity itself. From as early as there are records of people, there has been oral and written transmission of knowledge about especially plants that help with illness.
Superstitions and science
Traditional forms of treatment were often questioned and considered to be superstitions. Some accusations were founded, and some treatments were simply superstitions, but others stood the test of time.
We now live in a wonderful time where scientific research can be used to prove age-old claims right or wrong.
Complementary treatments vs mainstream medicine
Complementary or alternative medicine’s focus is not to criticize and belittle the medical field, but to attempt to pay attention to the well-being of the whole person, so that invasive medical medication can be prevented in at least some cases.
Decisive factors in complementary or alternative medicine
The following is very important when you want to use complementary or alternative medicine:
Absolute honesty with yourself and your therapist
If you feel inferior, have been assaulted, hold grudges, or fear life, admit it and mention it to your therapist.
Why is this important?
Each of the emotions caused by trauma and incidents, cause certain hormones to be secreted in your body, and when it goes on for too long, you get sick. Therefore, the emotions need to be dealt with.
Patience and effort
Holistic health usually requires a lifestyle change. You didn't develop a stomach ulcer overnight, and it may take time to reduce your stress levels. Although essential oils could provide relief from e.g. tension within minutes, you need to try to deal with the lifestyle and history that caused the tension.
Sustainability
Holistic health takes time and commitment and a lifestyle change. To keep this up, don’t try to change everything simultaneously. Once you've mastered one change, you can tackle the next one….
What can be treated by Aromatherapy?
Rheumatism, tension, panic, swollen feet, an intense mourning process, focus and attention problems, depression, muscle pains, insomnia, bladder infections, post-traumatic stress - you name it.
Aromatherapy is particularly good for the emotional reasons underlying illness. Of course, many (most) oils are also excellent for treating infection, wounds, inflammation, skin problems, and more.
Be part of the future - live essentially differently!
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