Do you have a chronic disease and have exhausted your options within the mainstream system? Do you want to learn how to take your health into your own hands with holistic medicine and alternative medicine? Are you curious about how holistic health modalities such as massage, chiropractor, essential oils, and reiki can improve your quality of life?
Millions of people are looking for holistic health that goes beyond the conventional “Western” medical approach. Whether you are looking for relief for chronic issues or want to optimize your already good health, holistic medicine can help.
There are many holistic and alternative therapies and systems to choose
These therapies are considered complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Consider whether you are looking for holistic options for alternative medicine, which is used in place of conventional medicine or complementary medicine, which is used in addition to conventional medical treatment.
Are you looking for a holistic health provider who can provide you with an encompassing “Eastern Medicine” system such as Chinese medicine or ayurveda? Both of these holistic systems have evolved over thousands of years and incorporate mental, spiritual, and physical dimensions for health.
Chinese medicine is over 3500 years old. It is known for the use of acupuncture, tai chi, and herbal remedies. It is based on the five elements and the concept of life-force energy known as qi or chi. Ayurveda, which developed over 3000 years ago in India, is known for helping individuals understand the way three fundamental bodily bio-elements work to influence health. These elements, known as doshas, are Pitta (fire and water), Kapha (water and earth), and Vata (space and air).
Or, are you looking for an approach that combines modern medicine with alternative modalities, such as naturopathy, integrative or functional medicine?
Many people find holistic health providers by word of mouth or by looking online. As in any field, there is a spectrum of quality and professionalism. This is why how and where you search for providers matters.
Rather than doing a random search on the internet, using a specialized online directory from a credible organization such as the Professional Wellness Alliance (PWA) can help you hone in on practitioners by location and type of services. A good directory will have a ratings system so you can see what other clients have to say about them. Each practitioner should have a profile so you can read about their philosophy, background and training.
Also, it is important to be wary of providers or methods that wrongly claim to diagnose, prevent, or treat serious or acute health issues. Your health can suffer if you rely solely on a therapy that has not been proven to give the desired results. While most holistic therapies support or don’t affect modern medical treatment, some can interfere.
Timing is also important, especially when it comes to cancer or fast-spreading diseases. For example, in some cases cancer or another disease can spread quickly if not promptly and adequately addressed with surgery or modern medical treatment.
Just as it can be dangerous to overestimate the extent to which holistic approaches can be effective, it can also be dangerous to underestimate the potency to holistic treatments. For example, taking too high a dose of certain herbal supplements or taking them over a prolonged period of time can cause serious toxicity.
Some herbs and vitamins have contraindications for certain pharmaceutical medications or conditions. Generally, supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). This makes it important to verify the source and quality of ingredients, as there have been cases of mislabeling, contamination, and undisclosed additives.
A balanced and evidence-based approach with a qualified holistic provider can help prevent unintended consequences, while still taking a whole-person approach to health. It is also very important to maintain open communication with all of the healthcare providers you are seeing, whether holistic or mainstream, especially if you are using both pharmaceutical medication and complementary treatments.
Once you find a holistic health provider, it's important to do your due diligence by checking their qualifications.
Take some time to look into the practitioner’s background and note whether or not they are a member of a professional association or certified by a medical board. Find out how long they have been providing services in their field. Many holistic health providers are pastors and integrate ministry into their offering. Ask them more about their spiritual approach and the extent to which it informs their therapy or counseling.
The PWA License Program is more than a formality for practitioners. It includes a detailed licensing course and a professional background review. This ensures that a PWA licensed holistic health provider is up-to-date on state regulations and that they are aware of best practices to safeguard their clients. It shows that they take their client’s concerns and their profession very seriously.
Opting for a licensed holistic health provider not only protects you as the client, it also supports the holistic health movement as a whole. State regulatory boards are cracking down on unlicensed holistic health providers. This hurts the holistic health movement as a whole.
Licensure allows providers to operate in a safe environment. It builds credibility for wellness approaches that contrast to the conventional mainstream medical system and allows a legal space for these services to be accessed by people across the country.
In addition to the above-mentioned qualifications and credentials, a reputable
You want to feel comfortable and safe with any healthcare provider. Listen to your intuition and instincts. A reputable provider will be honest about what they can and cannot do. If a provider offers “miracle cures,” “quick fixes,” or “cure-alls” consider this a red flag.
Also be wary of anyone who makes sweeping claims about fast weight loss or overnight remission. Reputable holistic health providers know that the journey towards optimal health and wellness takes time and is best supported by long-term lifestyle changes.
Choose a practitioner with whom you can develop a positive rapport and who welcomes your questions, curiosity, and feedback.
With so many fields and modalities in the realm of holistic medicine, there is much to learn and consider. Remember that the fundamental idea of holistic health is a whole-person approach that integrates physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental wellbeing. A key aspect is the empowerment of taking your health into your own hands with the support of a qualified team of health professionals. As you begin to explore the possibilities in holistic health, you open the door to a lifetime of vitality and learning.
Do you want to do more to support the holistic health movement? As a client you can become a member of the Professional Wellness Alliance and support thousands of holistic practitioners. Becoming a member of the PWA Community will give you access to thousands of licensed practitioners and help support the mission to educate and support holistic health practitioners.