Holistic health is about caring for the whole person — providing for your physical, mental, spiritual, and social needs. It's rooted in the understanding that all these aspects affect your overall health, and being unwell in one aspect affects you in others.
Take stress, for example. It's a psychological response, but it can also cause physical symptoms, such as headaches, trouble sleeping, weight gain, and muscle pain. Of course, it works both ways, and being physically ill can cause you to feel anxious or depressed. Meanwhile, your spirituality and your relationships can boost your mental and physical health. Studies show that having close friendships lowers your blood pressure, reduces your stress levels, and can even improve your chances of surviving cancer.
Understanding this, doctors who take a holistic approach to health don't just ask you about your symptoms. They ask about you — your overall health and your life — so they can make personalized recommendations to improve your wellness.
Holistic care providers address a wide variety of wellness concerns, and they use a wide variety of clinically proven therapies — from surgery and pharmaceuticals, to dietary changes and exercise plans, to psychological and spiritual counseling. They might also recommend evidence-based alternative therapies, such as massage, acupuncture, and yoga, for supportive care.
For example, if you're experiencing chronic pain, a holistic health care provider might prescribe medications or recommend surgery to repair an injury, but they'll also recommend that you increase your endorphins naturally by getting more exercise. They'll ask about your diet, and discuss how certain foods contribute to inflammation. They'll ask you about stress, anxiety, and depression — all of which can cause pain or be caused by it — and refer you to a therapist if you want one. Then they might also recommend massage to relax your muscles, acupuncture to help with nerve pain, or mindful meditation to help with pain management and stress relief.
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Holistic health is about caring for the whole person — providing for your physical, mental, spiritual, and social needs. It's rooted in the understanding that all these aspects affect your overall health, and being unwell in one aspect affects you in others.
Take stress, for example. It's a psychological response, but it can also cause physical symptoms, such as headaches, trouble sleeping, weight gain, and muscle pain. Of course, it works both ways, and being physically ill can cause you to feel anxious or depressed. Meanwhile, your spirituality and your relationships can boost your mental and physical health. Studies show that having close friendships lowers your blood pressure, reduces your stress levels, and can even improve your chances of surviving cancer.
Understanding this, doctors who take a holistic approach to health don't just ask you about your symptoms. They ask about you — your overall health and your life — so they can make personalized recommendations to improve your wellness.
Holistic care providers address a wide variety of wellness concerns, and they use a wide variety of clinically proven therapies — from surgery and pharmaceuticals, to dietary changes and exercise plans, to psychological and spiritual counseling. They might also recommend evidence-based alternative therapies, such as massage, acupuncture, and yoga, for supportive care.
For example, if you're experiencing chronic pain, a holistic health care provider might prescribe medications or recommend surgery to repair an injury, but they'll also recommend that you increase your endorphins naturally by getting more exercise. They'll ask about your diet, and discuss how certain foods contribute to inflammation. They'll ask you about stress, anxiety, and depression — all of which can cause pain or be caused by it — and refer you to a therapist if you want one. Then they might also recommend massage to relax your muscles, acupuncture to help with nerve pain, or mindful meditation to help with pain management and stress relief.