The Application Of Whole Body Medical Arts
May 26, 2010 by Barbara Gomez
Filed under Supplements
Practitioners of holistic medicine are those that use natural methods and therapies to help restore the healing process in the body. There are many different types of holistic medicine sometimes referred to as alternative medicine. These practices have not necessarily been validated by Western medical studies. That is no way implies that they are not valid. It simply means that they have not yet been studied.
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.
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.
The chiropractic industry originated in ancient Egypt. The techniques and traditions of chiropractic medicine have changed through time. However, the focus is on using natural treatments and therapies to restore the health of the back. Many techniques are used including traction, electrical stimulation and massage chair therapy.
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.
The use of acupoints is another traditional medical practice originating in China. In ancient Chinese medicine acupoints were used to stimulate and restore health in the body. Two schools of practice evolved from the use of acupoints. One branch is acupressure and the other branch is acupuncture.
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.
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.
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.
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