Holistic health care is a term we hear more often these days, yet many people don’t have an understanding of what it means. This type of care takes a more natural approach to overall wellness, versus the traditional Western medicine model which focuses primarily on treating symptoms and diseases as they emerge rather than preventing them altogether. If you’ve considered making the switch to a holistic health care provider, here are some top signs that this could be the right choice for you:
Natural Solutions
You may be interested in taking a more natural approach to your health. Much of modern medicine is centered around pharmaceutical solutions, but this isn’t the only way to approach health and wellness. There are many ancient and natural solutions that can be just as effective, and often with fewer side effects – you know, the ones they ramble off very quickly in pharmaceutical commercials that often include the very symptoms you’re trying to cure.
Focus on Prevention
In many cases, it can be beneficial to focus on prevention rather than cure. Many people only visit the doctor when they are already sick or in pain. If you’re interested in taking a more natural approach to your health, holistic health care consists of an approach that focuses on prevention, rather than cure. This means taking steps to maintain your health and prevent disease before it has a chance to take hold.
Integrative Care
Holistic healthcare practitioners take an integrative approach to care, which addresses the mind, body, and spirit. Together, you look at health as an overall balance rather than just treating one specific area. If any one of these three is out of balance, it can impact your overall health by throwing the other two out of balance as well. For instance, many people suffering from mental health issues often end up also suffering from physical health issues as a result of depression, anxiety, and long-term stress. These physical ailments can then exacerbate the mental health issues by restricting healthy activities and furthering feelings of depression. Holistic health aims to bypass all that, keeping things balanced and well-regulated from the start.
Overall Wellness
Wellness is about much more than the absence of disease. It’s about feeling your best mentally, emotionally, and physically. When you’re focused on wellness, you’re much more likely to maintain your health long-term. Having a provider who understands your approach to healthcare will only further the feeling of balance and wellness. This can look different for each individual but often includes practices like yoga, meditating, acupuncture, and eating a healthy diet.
Active Participation
Maybe you want to be an active participant in your healthcare journey. In traditional Western medicine, patients are often passive participants in their own healthcare. This means that they simply follow the orders of their doctor without much input of their own. In holistic healthcare, patients are seen as more equal partners with their practitioners. This means that you’ll have a say in the treatment plan and be more invested in your own care.
If you’re interested in a focus on preventive care rather than reactive care, holistic health care could be a perfect match for you. If you’re still not convinced, give it a try, or even begin incorporating it into your current health routine to begin benefitting from it. Soon, you may find yourself seeking the services of your traditional providers less and less.