Holistic Therapies - What Are Holistic Therapies and Do They Work?

As healthcare costs increase, many people have begun looking to alternative medicine for solutions to their health needs. But with so many differing opinions out there, how can a person know the best course of action to take?

Let's start with a definition for Holistic Therapies. Holistic therapies involve treating a patient as a whole, rather than just treating the symptoms. A person using such therapies will look for the cause of the symptoms and attempt to treat and prevent the problem. In other words, they will look into a patient's physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental wellbeing before recommending a course of action.

Some Examples of Holistic Therapies

There are many types of holistic treatments. Just a few of the most common ones include:

• Acupuncture


• Aromatherapy


• Reflexology


• Massage Therapy


• Chiropractic Treatment


• Physical Therapy


• Yoga


• Hypnotherapy


• Psychotherapy


• Herbal Remedies

So Do Holistic Therapies Work?

Holistic therapies have been shown to work for many individuals. In fact, different types of holistic treatments are more widely used throughout the world than Western medicine. These treatments and treatment plans are usually naturally derived, less invasive, and more affordable. However, often holistic therapies have less research involved into their effectiveness.

Perhaps the best way to know if a certain holistic therapy is right for you is to research the specific treatment plan and see if it is something you want to move forward with. Then, since these plans are generally very affordable, give it a try and see if it works for you.

Why Should I Try Holistic?

You may have heard the joke that medical doctors are just "practicing," which is why their office is called a practice. The joke becomes disheartening when you realize that it is also referring to the way doctors often get a diagnosis wrong several times before they get it right (if they ever get it right). It's not that the doctor doesn't know what he's doing, but he doctor is not the patient, and therefore can't pinpoint every nuance. As a people, we have become less in tune to our bodies and rely on others to tell us what is wrong and what we should do to correct our ailment. Holistic treatments rely heavily on a patient being aware of what is going on in his or her body and working with a natural healer to meet needs while addressing a root cause of symptoms.

Regardless of whether or not you feel that holistic therapies are right for you, it is important for all of us to educate ourselves about all of our options. And most importantly, we should gain at least some level of independence when it comes to our health.