Holistic Healthcare practitioners are being utilized in greater numbers, specifically since the Human Genome Project results completed in 2003 completely undermined the long held concept of genetic determinism.
Once thought to be in the domain of the genes, the control of health and behavior are now dynamically linked to the environment, and more importantly, our perception of the environment. Holistic Healthcare practitioners believe you need to pay attention to the body, the mind, emotions, and the spirit. The techniques differ and the emphasis will differ depending upon the persons needs.
"Americans make more visits to holistic health care providers (some 600 million a year) than to M.D.s and spend more money out-of-pocket to do so about $30 billion a year by recent estimates." Newsweek, 12/2002.
"A recent study performed by the American Massage Therapy Association revealed that 28 percent of people received a massage from a massage therapist in the past five years, up from 17 percent in 1997. Eighteen percent said they had a massage in the past 12 months. Thats 10 percent higher than was reported in 1997." American Massage Therapy Association, 8/2002.
The body is designed to heal itself provided it has the proper support to do its job. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is based on a concept of balanced qi (pronounced "chee"), or vital energy, that is believed to flow throughout the body. Qi is proposed to regulate a person's spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical balance and to be influenced by the opposing forces of yin (negative energy) and yang (positive energy). Disease is proposed to result from the flow of qi being disrupted and yin and yang becoming imbalanced. Among the components of TCM are herbal and nutritional therapy, restorative physical exercises, meditation, acupuncture, and remedial massage.
Holistic, Metaphysical, Energy or Mind, Body, Spirit healing has existed since the beginning of time amid religious beliefs and practices, along with the mystery, superstition, fear, and misunderstanding. Holistic Healing is now becoming recognized regardless of what anyone chooses to believe or think. Ask almost anyone about their spiritual well-being and they will probably tell you, "Yeah, I am a spiritual person, I go to church frequently. Therein, the confusion arises out of the association of healing with religion. The majority of people, including religious leaders, do not understand the difference.
Definition: "HEAL" 1. To restore to health or soundness, 2. To set right, repair, 3. To restore a person to spiritual wholeness, 4. To become whole and sound, to return to health.
Definition: "SPIRIT" 1. The vital principle or animating force within living beings, Incorporeal consciousness. There are about twelve more elaborations mostly to do with various religious implications.
The techniques in Holistic Healthcare are un-invasive and unlike traditional medicine seldom have side effects. We recommend that if you break a leg or have a deep laceration to find an emergency hospital room for setting the broken bone and fitting a cast or suturing a laceration.
Another difference among Holistic Healthcare practitioners is the length of treatment. Some will be able to almost work miracles in a single session. Other times it might take a lifestyle change on your part to gain any benefit, which might require more sessions to discover what lifestyle change is best for you. Holistic Healthcare practitioners foster a partnership with the person to effort the unique and highly effective healing process.
Licensing and certification of practitioners varies from state to state. Check your state for licensing and certification requirements.
Holistic Healthcare practices include:
Acupuncture
Aromatherapy/flower essences
Ayurvedic medicine
Bio-feedback
Chelation therapy
Chiropractic
Essential Oils
Guided imagery
Herbology/Herbal remedies
Homeopathy
Hydrotherapy
Hypnosis/Regression
Iridology
Massage
Meditation/visualization
Mind, Body, Spirit healing (using the unconscious mind)
Movement and exercise therapy
Naturopathy
Nutrition therapy
Osteopathy
Reiki/energy medicine
Relaxation response
Reflexology
Therapeutic touch
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
How does one find Holistic Healthcare practitioners? Every community has resources: Natural food stores, natural vitamin and supplement stores: Hi Health, Vitamin Shoppe, Whole Foods, Wild Oats Market, Trader Joes, AJs Fine Foods. These stores frequently have Free publications, which have Holistic Healthcare provider information. Also, Internet directories are great resources. A few directories are listed below.
Metaphysical HealingMind, Body, Spirit, Genesis Consultants, Inc. www.gen-assist.com,
Holistic Health Care provider directory - New Holistic Health Care Products Directory. http://www.holisticseek.com
Holistic Junction: Business Directory Holistic Junction, your pathway to Holistic Practitioners, Massage Therapy http://www.holisticjunction.com
Holistic Healthcare online: A search directory for reputable practitioners by state, country, city, http://www.holistichealthcare.com
Florida Health & Fitness Directory ... Holistic Health Care: Natural Healing and Preventative Medicine Acupuncture, Chinese Herbs, Homeopathy, Shiatsu, ... http://www.floridasmart.com/business/health/index.htm
Holistic health links and new age links from Share Guide. ... Healthlinks.net - Healthcare portal and directory with over 70200 unique links. ... http://www.shareguide.com/links.html
American Holistic Health Association (AHHA) - Resource Lists. Members who work in partnership with their patients, and encourage a holistic approach to wellness. ... http://ahha.org/ahre.htm
Last, but not least do not allow traditional medical doctors, pharmacists or your family and best friends to intimidate you into believing your life is in jeopardy if you use Holistic Health care remedies or practitioners.
Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, author, metaphysical healer and inspirational leader specializes in: Mind, Body, Spirit healing and Physical/Sexual Abuse Prevention and Recovery. Dr. Neddermeyer empowers people to view life's challenges as an opportunity for Personal/Professional Growth and Spiritual Awakening.
http://www.drdorothy.net
