Thursday, October 22, 2009

The Usage of Holistic Medicine

By Teresa Newberry

The concept of holistic medicine is using natural methods, procedures and therapies to help heal the body as one unitary system. Holistic medicine has been practiced in many forms and in virtually all parts of the world. There is the concept of the medicine man, shaman or healer. In the absence of the scientific method, most medical treatments were practiced with a holistic or systems viewpoint.

These traditional practices have sprung up around the world with the development of different societies through time. A common theme running through them is the holistic viewpoint of healing the body. Many of these practices have been used for hundreds and hundreds of years. Western science is just beginning to get to the tip of the iceberg of traditional medicine.

The definition of holistic medicine is the foundation for a healing philosophy. This includes many of the traditions associated with the promotion, protection and restoration of health of the body. Many of these practices have developed very sophisticated methods to treat patients. It is quite fascinating to think of how they have accumulated this information through time.

Chiropractic medicine is becoming a mainstream practice. One of the top reported health problems and the United States is back pain. Chiropractic medicine targets the diagnosing and treating of problems associated with the back. This includes the spine, musculoskeletal system and the nervous system. This industry is growing rapidly as insurance coverage is becoming available.

Chiropractors are mainly focused on the issues related to the spine. The origins of chiropractors have their roots back in ancient Egypt. They have developed a number of specialized techniques and treatments to help restore the spine to its original vitality.

Another alternative form of holistic medicine is massage treatments. There are many different types of massage treatments for different ailments. These types of treatment are commonly used to reduce stiffness, aches, pain and discomfort found in the soft tissues and muscles. Different schools of massage therapy have developed in different parts of the world.

To important schools of medical practice originate around the use of acupoints. Ancient Chinese medical practitioners used acupoints to help restore health and the body. Acupoints were stimulated either using needles or through the application of pressure and movements. These were found to promote health and restore healing in the body.

Acupressure uses pressure and movement on the acupoints. Acupuncture requires the use of needles to be placed directly into the acupoints. The acupoints do not have any nerve receptacles and are not painful when a needle is inserted. Acupressure uses specific movements to help stimulate the acupoints.

There is a consolidation and integration of many of these holistic practices into Western medical practices. Western science is realizing that it can only dissect things to a certain level of comprehension. A holistic viewpoint looks at the body as a complete system. This is important to finding the right balance in the medical profession.

These are some of the more common holistic methods that are becoming more mainstream in our society. Western medical science is beginning to accept many of these traditional concepts. The body is a complex organ and is sometimes tough to study in isolation. This has held by the acceptance of many of these important therapies.

Alternative medical treatments and holistic medicine are being accepted increasingly by the medical insurance industry. This is an important step forward for these treatments. Chiropractic medicine is leading the way as the more high profile and increasingly validated form of holistic medicine. - 14130

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