Holistic healing approaches consider all aspects of health – body, mind and spirit – when treating patients. An imbalance in any one or more areas could be contributing to poor health outcomes.
Thus, many modern physicians and healers advocate holistic healthcare practices with the hope of returning modern medicine back to its holistic roots.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient healing art used for millennia to provide patients relief from pain and illness. According to traditional Chinese medicine, needles are strategically inserted along meridians or energy channels of the body – these pathways serve as channels for vital energy (qi) which should keep us healthy; when blocked or moved improperly this qi becomes blocked and illness and pain occur.
Although acupuncture has been found to be safe, it’s still wise to receive treatment from a trained practitioner. Some states require them to obtain a license, certification or registration in order to practice; additionally, check your insurance company to see whether coverage exists before making your choice.
Many have found acupuncture helpful for stress-related conditions, including depression and anxiety. It may be used alongside other forms of therapy like yoga, meditation and massage.
Meditation can be especially useful for patients undergoing surgery, as studies have demonstrated its ability to reduce pre-operative anxiety and stress on both brain and body. Furthermore, it may assist recovery post procedure.
Research continues into how acupuncture works, but it’s generally believed that its practice stimulates nerves that send signals directly to the brain, activating pain-relieving hormones such as endorphins that work to decrease inflammation and alleviate discomfort.
Acupuncture is an effective and safe complementary medicine practice that has the power to treat various conditions. If you would like more information or want to give it a try, be sure to ask your physician for a referral.
Massage
Massage is a holistic healing practice that applies pressure directly to soft tissues of the body in order to alleviate pain, stress and tension. Massage may also reduce muscle stiffness and improve joint mobility.
There are various kinds of massage, such as Swedish, Thai and deep tissue treatments. Each has its own advantages that can be tailored specifically to each individual receiving it as an experience treatment.
Thai massage is an integrative therapy, drawing from yoga, acupressure and reflexology practices to release tension and stimulate energy flow throughout the body.
EFT therapy can be useful for relieving headaches and migraines, improving neck and back pain, and relieving menstrual cramps. Furthermore, EFT can also be used to combat depression, stress and anxiety.
Trigger point therapy is a type of deep tissue massage which uses slow strokes and firm pressure on specific parts of the body that are causing discomfort or tension. A trigger point therapist can use trigger point therapy to target those areas that need the most work.
Advising your massage therapist of any medical conditions you have can ensure they can customize a session specifically to meet your needs, making sure it remains safe if pregnant or recovering from injury.
Holistic healing aims to treat the whole person, rather than just one specific issue or condition. This approach can be particularly effective for chronic illnesses that have no clear cause and affect multiple parts of the body simultaneously.
Reiki
Reiki is a holistic healing practice that utilizes energy to treat the body. Originating in Japan, its practitioners use their hands to balance out subtle energy fields or biofields around their subjects’ bodies.
Energy biofield therapies, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, are an alternative form of healthcare practice based on the belief that humans possess subtle forms of energy which surround and pervade our physical bodies. Practitioners believe balancing this energy may aid the healing process more rapidly – speeding recovery for their patients faster.
Not only can practitioners help clients rebalance their energy fields, they may also assist in quieting the mind and connecting more closely to their bodies – helping to provide deep relaxation while alleviating pain, stress and anxiety.
There is limited scientific evidence that reiki can treat pain effectively, although it could prove useful in alleviating anxiety and fatigue as well. According to one 2015 study conducted on people receiving distant reiki treatment for cancer had lower levels of pain and anxiety than a control group who did not.
A 2010 study suggests that Reiki therapy may assist older adults suffering from depression and anxiety. Study participants reported a reduction in pain, enhanced mood and an increase in interest for self-care activities.
This study’s results are encouraging; however, more studies must be conducted in order to fully explore them. Researchers note some limitations associated with their work including small sample size and no control groups being available.
Since Reiki isn’t a conventional medical procedure, it is best to discuss it with your physician first before beginning treatment. Also keep in mind that due to lack of regulations within this field it may be hard to know who has qualified and experienced practitioners.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a holistic healing practice that utilizes essential oils to improve both physical and emotional well-being. It’s safe and noninvasive treatment option that can be applied directly or applied through massage; many use it as an effective complement to traditional medicine; for others it may even serve as an alternative form of care.
Aromatherapy has long been used as an effective remedy to address stress relief, depression and other health concerns. Aromatherapy can ease tension, decrease anxiety and enhance focus.
for millennia by natural healers such as shamans, acupuncturists and herbal practitioners to apply essential oils directly onto their skin or inhale through their noses.
Essential oils are made from aromatic flowers, herbs, and tree parts extracted by distillation or blending.
Some essential oils have been touted to promote relaxation while others can aid with respiratory conditions such as asthma or colds. Furthermore, essential oils can also be incorporated into cosmetic products like bath bombs or skin moisturizers for use on your body.
There is an assortment of essential oils available and they can be purchased in most stores. Some of the more popular choices include rose, eucalyptus, peppermint, lavender and lemon essential oils.
Holistic healers use oils to enhance other healing techniques, like massage and reiki. They encourage their patients to consider their overall wellness rather than focus solely on treating one disease or symptom at a time.
Holistic approaches offer many advantages: they focus on treating the whole person, involve teamwork and target the root cause of problems. Furthermore, holistic treatments can easily be tailored to meet the specific needs of a patient’s condition; so finding an integrative practitioner with experience providing personalized plans of treatment is vital to its success.
Meditation
Meditation is an integrative healing practice that can be used to reduce stress, anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions. Meditation may be used alone or combined with other treatments.
Meditation involves focusing on an experience, such as breathing or an image or sound (for instance a mantra repeated over and over) in order to relax the mind and ease tension. There are numerous types of meditation, each offering benefits depending on an individual’s individual needs and interests.
Studies have demonstrated that meditation can significantly help individuals manage pain more effectively – this can be particularly helpful for chronic conditions which do not respond to traditional medical treatments.
Meditation is an ancient technique designed to integrate mind and body. Through regular practice, meditation can also improve overall well-being while decreasing blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Meditation has many advantages for an individual’s well-being, one being increased awareness of emotions. Meditation also can teach individuals how to recognize negative thoughts or emotions before they have an effect on behavior.
Finding a qualified meditation teacher is essential when learning the practice, so using online search or speaking to friends and family members for recommendations will help ensure you find one who understands its practice.
Set aside some time each day for meditation. Begin by setting a time limit of 5-10 minutes before gradually increasing it over time as your comfort grows.
No matter the form of meditation you practice, consistency is the key to success. Establish a schedule and stick to it even if you feel like skipping sessions or giving up at first.
