Monday, October 26, 2009

The Usage of Holistic Medical Arts

By Barbara Heartfield

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.

Interestingly enough, medical healing evolved at the clan level. The so-called medicine man was the main healer for each tribe. These have been developed into larger schools of thought through time. Many of these traditional practices have not been studied by Western science. Many medical studies are very expensive to conduct.

Holistic medicine or alternative medicine is the use of more traditional practices of healing. Many of these traditional practices have a foundation of viewing the body as a complete system. The Western viewpoint of medicine is to keep taking things apart into smaller and smaller pieces. In a sense, holistic medicine is on the other side of the spectrum.

One of the top health problems in the United States is back pain. It is estimated that over $50 billion a year is spent on the treating and diagnosing of back related problems. Chiropractors have grown tremendously in this market for treating the spine. Insurance companies are now beginning to cover many of these chiropractic treatments.

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.

Massage therapy is another alternative form of holistic medicine. It uses different movements and pressures on muscles and soft tissue areas. This form of treatment helps to reduce stiffness, tension and relieve pain. There are many different forms of massage therapy found throughout 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.

Acupuncture uses small needles directed at the acupoints. They use of needles is painless as the acupoints do not have nerve endings. Acupressure is another alternative form of stimulation of the acupoints. Acupressure uses pressure and movement on the acupoints to activate them.

It is interesting to see how fast many of these traditional treatments are being integrated into Western medical practices. Many doctors are realizing the benefits of many of these holistic therapies. They are being used to supplement the treatments already been provided or as an alternative to surgery. This is an important step to bring a better balance of medical service to everybody.

The main disadvantage of these holistic practices is simply a lack of medical studies. Most medical studies are funded by companies hoping to profit from a beneficial treatment or drug. There simply isn't enough money to validate many of these treatments since there would be no clear owner of the process.

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.

About the Author:

0 comments:

Post a Comment