Holistic health is a philosophy of medical care viewing physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of life as interconnected and equally important in the assessment of approaches to treatment and is based on the law of nature that a whole is made up of interdependent parts. Holistic health care incorporates practices and concepts of Eastern philosophy and diverse cultural traditions, including acupuncture and the use of herbs, massage, and relaxation techniques as well as conventional medical practices. While it is commonly associated with alternative medicine, it is also increasingly used in mainstream medical practice as part of a broader view of patient care in the modern healthcare system. Holism as a health concept has existed for some time outside of academic circles and only relatively recently has the modern medical establishment begun to integrate it into the mainstream health care system. Some components of a holistic healthcare approach can include Traditional Chinese Medicine, Homeopathy, Bioenergetic therapies, Mind-Body medicine, as well as Herbal Medicine amongst many others. Holistic health may be classified under or as a part of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).
The first National Conference on Holistic Health in the US was held at U of C San Diego’s School of Medicine in June 1975. It initially gained its greatest following among nurses however, many physicians, especially those in the then newly formed specialty of family medicine, also became interested in this movement. The Holistic Health lifestyle is regaining popularity each year, as the holistic principles offer practical options to meet the growing desire for enjoying a high level of vitality and well-being, though this ‘high level of vitality and well-being’ is not guaranteed as many medical professionals skeptical of holistic healthcare will assert.
The fact that external factors influence over personal health and well-being has been known for some time. Some examples of these contributing factors may be stress, environmental pollutants, and even lifestyle choices as in the case of recreational intravenous drug abuse which could involve needle sharing. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that the key factors influencing an individual's state of health have not changed significantly over the past 20 years. Quality of medical care is only 10%. Heredity accounts for 18% and environment is 19%. Everyday lifestyle choices are 53%. The decisions people make about their life and habits are, therefore, by far the largest factor in determining their state of wellness.
A survey that assessed both the prevalence and predictors of CAM use in a comprehensive cancer center population where all were using conventional therapies found that 63 percent had used at least one CAM approach other than a spiritual practice. Patients unanimously believed that these CAM treatments helped to improve their quality of life by helping them cope more effectively with stress, decreasing their discomforts related to treatment and the illness itself, and giving them a better sense of control. This study shows the role of ‘stress’ in a holistic lifestyle is negative and CAM treatments are available which can help alleviate it. Some CAM related stress-relieving suggestions are utilizing techniques such as biofeedback, guided imagery, massage therapy, and even acupuncture.
Personal responsibilities related to holistic health practitioners are stressed by skeptics who claim many of the therapies associated with CAM have little to no scientific merit and said practitioners must be more vigilant in making sure the alternative treatments they are providing are not actually harming their patients. A major source of contention concerning CAM amongst medical professionals skeptical of holistic health approaches is the specific use of homeopathy.
Homeopathy was developed by Samuel Hahnemann in 1796 and involves low doses of certain substances prescribed in miniscule doses to bring about cures to various ailments. It is in fact a treatment with no scientific basis like many holistic health therapies and has many absurd assumptions exemplified by the actual dilutions homeopaths use and well as their methods of preparation of substances used for treatment (some homeopaths ‘charge’ solutions over the phone and even the internet). Skeptics point to dilutions such as 1:40000 which actually exceed Avogadro’s number in that their preparations require such dilution the chance of a single molecule of the original substance is still within the 1:40000 dilution is a near mathematical possibility. An example of this particular dilution using the solar system as a reference would mean that the original substance would be the size of a grain of rice and the diluting water would need to be a sphere the size of the orbit of Pluto. Such examples do not bother homeopaths as they maintain highly diluted substances leave an “energy imprint” in the body and stimulate the immune system thereby helping to cure an illness. This “energy imprint” has yet to be quantified by mainstream science and it is this author’s opinion the idea is a vestige of the 18th century with its originator trying to describe a scientific process (the body’s immunological response) in contemporary terms when the process (antibody / antigen reaction) was yet to be discovered.
Proponents of CAM research at the NIH state many literature reviews have concluded that larger, more rigorous studies are needed before definitive statements can be made about the benefits of CAM therapies. Unfortunately this seems to be the standard conclusion whenever "CAM" research is done. Proponents counter these data, nevertheless, point to the need for a comprehensive and aggressive research program in several areas of CAM, particularly those areas where CAM practices and products are frequently used adjunctively to mainstream medical care. Skeptics point out research priorities should be based on the likely hood of useful results, not where methods are popular.
Recently, a major effort has been made to increase conventional physicians' awareness and understanding of CAM through educational programs. However, there is a great deal of variability in the content of these programs. Although a few provide detailed information on potential CAM benefits and safety issues, most are too general in content to provide physicians with the knowledge base they need to feel more comfortable about the subject and to display a willingness to discuss CAM issues with their patients. In other words, most of the "CAM" courses taught at medical schools are worthless.
Holistic physicians encourage patients to evoke the healing power of love, hope, humor and enthusiasm, and to release the toxic consequences of hostility, shame, greed, depression, and prolonged fear, anger, and grief. According to the American Holistic Medical Association, unconditional love is life's most powerful medicine. Holistic physicians strive to adopt an attitude of unconditional love for patients, themselves, and other practitioners. It must not go without saying that “toxic consequences of hostility, shame, greed, depression, and prolonged fear, anger, and grief” are in fact unquantifiable in scientific terms and the existence of such toxicities must be viewed as suspect to say the least.
All things considered, many aspects of holistic health are still currently considered highly controversial and practitioners of such treatments much proceed with the utmost of care in keeping with the Hippocratic Oath. There have always been ‘snake oils’ and cures of dubious nature and efficacy and the modern era is no exception. The danger of today is a reluctance to callout the pink elephants that so many claim to have been helped by in favor of political correctness and tolerance of opposing views. In the words of another healthcare professional, if it works for you get after it. But if someone asserts you should try any treatment make sure you understand the proof behind supposed effectiveness. In others words be skeptical.