The world has made many advancements in modern medicine. However, globally diseases and poor health continue to rise. In the past 20 years, alternative medicines have become more familiar. Many physicians have changed the way they practice medicine. More and more physicians are leaning towards Holistic Medicine.

What is Holistic Medicine?

The misconception is that holistic medicine is separate from modern medicine. The holistic approach includes alternative and modern medicine. The holistic approach includes all modalities including surgery if necessary. However, the approach focuses on social, mental, physical and spiritual health.

Stress is often a cause of many illnesses. The holistic approach would delve into why a person is experiencing stress. To alleviate the illness, it is believed you must alleviate the source. If a physician only prescribes a medication for the symptoms of an illness, then only the symptoms will be alleviated. The illness still exists. However, if one can determine the source of the stress and alleviate the stress, one can alleviate the illness.

Often, when a person is not feeling well, it may be due to a poor diet and lack of exercise. However, most physicians have little time to determine the cause of "not feeling well". The holistic approach examines the patient's physical, emotional and spiritual health. The holistic approach attempts to determine the root cause of the illness. Many people suffer due to poor nutrition and a change in diet can change "not feeling well" to feeling great.

Many physicians of modern medicine have embraced the holistic approach. Many hospitals now offer alternative medicine therapies to their patients. A patient with a positive attitude will more likely have a positive outcome compared to a patient with a negative attitude. The holistic approach helps cultivate a healthy attitude to assist a patient to over come their particular illness.

Holistic medicine is a fusion of alternative and modern medicine. Treatment may include a change in diet, acupuncture, surgery and many other options.