Principles of Holistic Health

Holistic health is a health care modality that focuses on prevention of illness and the use of non-toxic, natural therapies. A naturopathic therapist or practitioner does healing through natural therapies, of which, there are many. Holistic health focuses on the entire person, not just on one particular body part, function, or symptom.

Holistic health has its premise built on Eastern health modalities and methodologies, in which the practitioner recognizes the body/mind/spirit connection, and treats the whole person, not just their body. This does not necessarily mean that you have to be a part of an Eastern theology in order to benefit from this natural approach.

This simply means that our emotions and our health are intertwined and connected. Therefore, in order to heal the body, the caregiver must also consider the state of mind and what the heart believes, as well as the emotional state and the life habits of those individuals who are seeking to improve their health.

There are many different aspects and methodologies involved in holistic health. Having knowledge of this variety of choices will give you better alternatives in the decisions you make in maintaining your health. After all, we are each individually responsible for our own health; we cannot rely on any doctor.

Recently, the term, "the body electric," has become common place - at the very least, among those involved in the art of natural healing. All our bodies function at a certain frequency in which our body's electrical systems, or, energy can be measured; and the frequency of each organ can be determined. A homeopathic remedy may be recommended if a frequency is not at the norm.

There are other alternatives in some treatments, that don't necessarily involve supplementation. For instance, acupuncture involves the use of needles that are strategically placed along the lines of the body's own meridians or electrical channels. I'll be discussing more about "the body electric" and several other modalities in upcoming articles.

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Holistic health has existed since the beginning of time. The term “Holistic Health” was not used until the 19th century; however, the philosophical roots go back thousands of years.

Benedict Lust, a physician trained in Europe, arrived in the US in the 1890’s and began to describe an eclectic combination of natural healing doctrines he called “Naturopathy.”

It taught the best of what was then known about nutritional therapy, homeopathy, natural diet, herbal medicines, spinal manipulation, exercise therapy, hydrotherapy, stress reduction, electrotherapy and other natural therapies.

The result was a new and emerging paradigm in medicine as our understanding of environment and the human body evolves. Most of the evidence of this is found in the realm of physics.

Cold laser is a therapy in which a laser is used instead of needles as in acupuncture. Laser therapy is a related energy technique which encompasses light as an energy source, and the operating tool of this healing modality.

Colon hydrotherapy is another example of a holistic approach to good health. Did you know that 70% of the body's immune system is located in the colon to prevent stored toxins from being reabsorbed?

This is a therapy that I have personally tried, so I can testify to its effectiveness. Did you know that you must take probiotics both before and after this therapy? Why would this be important?

Your body contains, and produces antibodies and yeast. There are both good and bad antibodies, and good and bad yeast. A probiotic helps to keep these levels in balance, so that there is not a deficiency of the good antibodies and yeast; because if there is, you will get sick.

During colon hydrotherapy, water - that’s the hydro part - is used to irrigate your colon and intestinal canals and flush them clean. Because this area is the home of a large percentage of the yeast and antibodies as a part of immune system function; there is a risk that too many will get flushed out during the hydrotherapy. It’s like throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Taking the probiotic helps to replenish what may be lost during the therapy.

Did you know that both John Wayne and Elvis Presley were found, upon autopsy, to have 30 lbs of waste backed up in their colon? These guys ate only meat and potatoes. This is why your mother told you to eat your vegetables; think about that.

Imagine what carrying 30 lbs feels like, and then imagine lugging that much rotted food and the accompanying gas around in your body. How weighed down they must have felt; how sluggish. I’m sure their energy pathways were blocked, and they felt tired and lacked energy. Colon hydrotherapy can assist in releasing both gas and blockages and helping to revitalize the body.

Herbology is the study of herbs, and another example of a holistic choice. Iridology is the study of the eyes, specifically, the pupils of the eyes. It is a fascinating modality which I will touch upon more later in my focus upon Energy medicine.

Old Paradigms

1. The body is a machine.
2. The body & the mind are separate.
3. Emphasize the elimination of disease.
4. Treat symptoms.
5. Specialize (tunnel vision)
6. Use high technology, heroic measure.
7. Focus on objective information (how the patient is doing based on charts, statistics, test results etc)
8. The physician should be emotionally neutral & detached
9. The physician is in control of the patient’s health choices.

New Paradigms

1. Address the whole patient.
2. The body & the mind are interconnected.
3. Emphasize achieving good health.
4. Treat underlying causes.
5. Take an integrated approach
6. Focus on Diet, Lifestyle & preventative measures
7. Focus on subjective information. (how patient is feeling)
8. The physician is a partner in the healing process.
9. The patient is in charge of health care choices.

In making new healthy choices, one must also consider lifestyle changes.

1. Do no harm
2. Nature has healing powers (herbology)
3. Identify & treat the cause
4. Treat the whole person
5. The physician/practitioner is a teacher
6. Prevention is the best cure
7. Establish Health & Wellness (this is the Ultimate Goal)

 A typical American lifestyle

1. Fast-food, & Quick Serve.
2. Microwave cooking
3. Canned foods, TV Dinners
4. Little to no exercise
5. Television for entertainment
6. Pill for every ailment
7. Wait till you’re sick to seek
8. “Super size” everything-clothes

A typical Holistic Lifestyle

1. Organic Foods, Meal Preparation.
2. Stove top or Convection Oven Cooking
3. Fresh or frozen foods
4. Exercise routine
5. Reading the arts, outdoors for entertainment.
6. Supplements for optimum health
7. Prevention is the best cure treatment
8. Everything in moderation cars, meals.

The medical paradigm shift is now in progress, and as a result, holistic health is now often referred to as “Integrated Medicine.” The era of the “demigod” physician is now over, and the era of “self-empowered” health is beginning. The relationship between the healer and the patient is now evolving into an alternative that is more focused on the natural health of the patient, as opposed to the profits of the doctors and pharmaceutical companies.

“It is best to know what sort of patient has a disease rather than know what disease a patient has.” Dr. John Rogers

Holistic health treats the whole body. It focuses on the patient and prevention of disease. It does this by working in harmony with natural healing modalities.

“Nature is doing her best each moment to make us well. She exists for no other end. Do not resist. With the least inclination to be well, we should not be sick.” Henry David Thoreau