Most often, holistic health care is viewed as a field that encompasses modalities and methods that are not considered mainstream allopathic medicine. Allopathic medicine is referred to as “conventional” or “biomedicine”. It is the economically, politically, and socially dominant form of medicine practiced in the United States today.
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The use of “alternative,” forms of health care has increased exponentially over the years. There are a variety of general terms used for health care which is considered non-allopathic. These include alternative medicine, complementary medicine and holistic medicine, among others. While each of these terms share a similar overall health care philosophy, each is viewed from the constructs and perspective of allopathic medicine. “Alternative” seems to suggest a difference or deviance from the allopathic norm. “Complementary” instead indicates a type of health care to work alongside existing allopathic medical practices. The term “Holistic” differs from both of these in that a holistic approach to health care focuses on the development and maintenance of a sound body, mind, and spirit.
The term Holism (comes from the Greek word meaning all, whole, entire, total) is the idea that all the properties of a given system (physiological, biological, chemical, social, economic, mental, linguistic, etc.) cannot be determined or explained by its components alone. Instead, the system as a whole determines the manner in which the parts behave or interact.
Holistic Health Care is therefore a systems based methodology; one that that honors the dynamic interactions that we have with our environment. Taking into account the many layers of the human being. The way we think and feel. What we believe or have faith in. Each of these may not be separated from the other as they are part of being whole. Therefore, “Holistic Health Care is not just a form of medicine to be practiced by a doctor, but also a way of life that is practiced by the patient.” Joshua Berka NMD
“The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in a proper diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.” Thomas Edison
