A holistic approach to health is one that recognizes the complex and interconnected relationship between an individual’s physical health and other crucial aspects of their life, including lifestyle, mental and emotional wellness, and history. Rather than treating an illness as simply a collection of symptoms to be addressed and fixed, holistic health care focuses on evaluating the person as a whole, including the factors contributing to their illness and its non-physical effects on their wellness.
The Philosophy of Holistic Health
Holistic health practices seek to address what many consider to be shortcomings in modern medicine. Holistic health providers focus on education and preventive care, and patients are encouraged to take an active role in conversations about their health. Further, holistic health emphasizes the importance of the mind-body connection in a person’s health. In a holistic health care setting, mental and emotional wellness are centered just as much as physical health.
What Does Holistic Health Care Look Like?
Some aspects of holistic medicine will look remarkably similar to what you might expect from standard Western medicine. Holistic health providers with a medical license can still prescribe medicine, order labs, or recommend a specialist when appropriate. However, holistic health care is also inclusive of alternative and naturopathic therapies, such as:
herbal medicine
Reiki and other energetic therapies
massage or chiropractic therapy
acupuncture or acupressure
mental health therapy
Who Benefits From Holistic Health Care?
Anyone can benefit from holistic medicine. Moreover, it’s important to understand that holistic health care and Western medicine aren’t mutually exclusive—in fact, when used appropriately, those two forms of medicine can work synergistically together. For example, a person with cancer might choose to undergo chemotherapy or surgery to treat their disease, but they might also use holistic medicine to help alleviate their pain, manage any side effects, and take care of their mental and emotional health while undergoing treatment.
RADIAS Health provides person-centered integrated healthcare services to people suffering from mental illness, substance use, or co-occurring disorders. Our services encompass primary care and behavioral health services delivered by compassionate, skilled health care and support staff. In addition, our care includes supplementary services such as case management, supportive housing, homeless services, residential services, outpatient DBT treatment, and more. If you or someone you know could benefit from our mission, contact us today or consider donating!