Holistic Medicine: When Treatment Looks at the Person as a Whole

In this age of modern technology and cutting-edge drugs, we are used to relying on medicine as a quick "fix" for our problems. Yet more and more people are looking for a deeper and more comprehensive approach to health. This is precisely the direction that holistic medicine is taking, combining the knowledge of classical medicine with an individual and holistic view of the patient.

What is a "holistic" approach?

Holistic medicine is a field that understands the human being as an interconnected system of body, mind, emotions, and the environment in which they live. Its basic philosophy is the belief that health is not simply the absence of disease, but a state of inner balance and harmony.

For example, when we suffer from back pain, a holistic practitioner doesn’t just ask “Where does it hurt?”, but also:

– Are you stressed?

– What is your lifestyle, sleep and diet like?

– What is weighing you down psychologically?

– How do you feel in your relationships, at work?

The goal is not only to eliminate symptoms (symptomatic treatment), but to find and eliminate the cause of the disease - so-called causal therapy.

Holistic medicine is based on the so-called biopsychosocial model, also recognized in classical medicine, which states that the onset and course of diseases are influenced by:

·       Biological factors (genetics, immune system, microbiome)

·       Psychological factors (emotions, stress, internal conflicts)

·       Social factors (interpersonal relationships, work environment, social pressure)

At the same time, more and more studies confirm the connection between chronic stress and inflammatory processes in the body, weakened immunity or hormonal imbalance.

What does holistic medicine use?

The holistic approach is multidisciplinary and uses a wide range of methods. The most common include:

·       Phytotherapy – treatment with medicinal plants, the effectiveness of which is often supported by scientific studies.

·        Nutrition and lifestyle modification – especially work with an anti-inflammatory diet, drinking regimen, microbiome and circadian rhythms.

·       Psychotherapy and work with emotions – anxiety, suppressed emotions or trauma can have a significant impact on physical health.

·       Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine – influencing the flow of energy (Qi) in the body through energy pathways (meridians).

·        Homeopathy, aromatherapy and other complementary approaches – can support self-healing processes in some patients.

·        Mind-body techniques – e.g. meditation, breathing exercises or yoga, which positively affect the nervous system (especially the parasympathetic) and reduce cortisol levels.

Practical example: When the body speaks for the soul

Mrs. Susan (48 years old) suffered from migraines for years, which classical medicine suppressed with painkillers. A comprehensive examination revealed that she lives in a very stressful environment and has suppressed her needs for a long time. Working with a psychotherapist, changing her work schedule, adjusting her diet and using magnesium and herbs led to a significant decrease in the problems.

This approach does not exclude classical treatment - on the contrary, it suitably supplemented it and strengthened the effect of the entire therapy.

When to consider a holistic approach?

·   If you suffer from chronic conditions (e.g. autoimmune diseases, allergies, digestive disorders, fatigue, headaches)

·        When the conditions recur despite regular treatment

·        If you feel that “something is not right” but the test results are normal

·        As part of prevention and a healthy lifestyle

Summary

Holistic medicine does not reject modern medicine, but expands it with a dimension that classical approaches often neglect – the soul and the life context of a person. It is not a “miracle”, but a return to a comprehensive view of a person.

It brings not only treatment, but also knowledge – who we are, what we need and how we can help ourselves.

Health does not begin in the pharmacy, but in the everyday choices we make: what we eat, how we sleep, how we breathe, how we think, what relationships we maintain and, last but not least, how we can cope with our own past and perhaps a disharmonious childhood… And this is where holistic medicine can be a wise and sensitive guide.

WT.24