Decoding the Language of Holistic Health

“Holistic health” describes a philosophy of wellness that emphasizes the interconnectedness of the whole person. This encompasses the following domains :

• Physical
• Mental
• Emotional
• Social
• Spiritual
• Environmental

What happens in one part of our life, affects the whole. And it is this idea that highlights the strength of the holistic approach. To move towards healing then, we must address the health of our whole system, not just a single part. Remember, what affects one, affects the whole.

The Holistic Practitioner

There are many types of practitioners that practice from this perspective, and are represented not only in the complementary and alternative health space, but the conventional as well. The key is that a practitioner is holistic when they work to honor the body, mind and spirit connection while drawing from a variety of healing modalities. When a patient seeks out a holistic practitioner to help with a symptom, illness or concern, the practitioner will look below the surface at each part of the person’s being to uncover the root cause. They will also draw from a diverse set of healing modalities to support the healing process. This may include treatment suggestions from their particular area of expertise, to lifestyle changes, to integration of other healing modalities.

A holistic practitioner does not need to be an expert in multiple healing traditions, but is open to collaboration and/or referral to other practitioners that can support their patient’s whole healing journey. Recognizing that not just one healing modality is the best route for every patient or the “fix” for every health concern, they work in partnership with their patients to find a combination of practices that feel most supportive and offer the best benefits to the individual’s needs.

Approaches to Holistic Care

There are a variety of terms that you will see associated with practices within the holistic health space. Here we try to make sense of them to give you a better understanding of how holistic practitioners may practice.

Integrative, Complementary, Alternative, Oh My…

You have probably heard these terms in reference to various types of healing practices like acupuncture or herbal medicine. And, you’ve probably heard many practices described under multiple terms (acupuncture as integrative medicine or alternative). It’s a little confusing. I think one helpful way to think about these terms is to think of them as “approaches” to care.

Integrative Health

Integrative Health merges conventional and complementary approaches, recognizing the value of combining the best of both traditions for more comprehensive care. It aims to provide a personalized, patient-centered approach, while addressing root causes of health concerns and at the same time enhancing the body’s innate healing abilities. The key here is generally a more coordinated collaboration of modalities and is often offered through clinics and academic institutions that have integrative health centers or teams. No one modality would be seen as more important: they would all carry equal weight in their ability to support the individual’s healing.

• An example is a pain patient receiving acupuncture sessions in conjunction with conventional treatments like physical therapy and medications. The practitioners in these modalities would likely be communicating and involved in overseeing a care plan; working towards the same goal.

Complementary Health

Complementary Health refers to non-conventional (non-western) practices that are used in tandem with or as “compliment” to standard medical treatments, yet are not the primary focus. There would generally not be collaboration between conventional and complementary practitioners, and more emphasis would be put on addressing specific symptoms rather than creating an integrated treatment strategy.

• An example here would be an individual seeking anxiety support who has a western practitioner (MD) overseeing her care with medication strategies. In addition the individual is working with an acupuncturist to support her healing. These practitioners are not collaborating and the patient sought out this additional support on her own. The acupuncture is a “compliment” to the conventional care.

Alternative Health

Alternative Health, is generally seen as being used in place of standard, conventional medicine. It may include natural and non-invasive therapies as stand alone, or separate from conventional (traditional western allopathic) care. 

• An example here is an individual who utilizes homeopathy and aromatherapy to support her menopausal transition without the use of conventional western medicine.

In Conclusion

So, we’ve learned that holistic health is a philosophy of healing that considers all parts of the individual, the whole. We also know that holistic practitioners can come from diverse healing backgrounds. Understanding the terminology gives you a foundation from which to embrace a holistic approach to your health, make informed choices and become an active participant in your wellness journey!