When you hear the term “holistic healing,” you might picture all the pseudo-scientific treatments your painter cousin in Portland says you must do since you seem so stressed. But in 2019, holistic healing is becoming more and more widely accepted—and utilized. Here’s the deal on the buzzy (yet ancient) practice.
What is it? Holistic healing is a form of treatment that considers the whole person (including his or her mind, body and spirit)—in the quest for optimal health. The idea is that one can achieve overall wellness through gaining proper balance in life. When you visit a holistic practitioner (including naturopathic doctors, homeopathic doctors, massage therapists, dietitians and such), they’ll likely take an approach to healing whatever you’re dealing with by considering your environment—the stress in your life, your diet and medications you’ve taken in the past. While some people eschew Western medicine in favor of only holistic treatments, it’s become more and more common to combine facets of both.
Does that mean you can’t use conventional medicine? Nope. In fact, a lot of Western doctors are incorporating holistic remedies into their practices, from recommending acupuncture as a treatment to encouraging patients to try plant-based diets.
What does holistic healing entail? A lot, actually. In general, holistic healing can involve any number of treatments not common to Western medicine. These can include acupuncture, cupping, Ayurveda, reiki, hypnosis and meditation. Some, like meditation or cooking according to your ayurvedic dosha, can be done on your own, while others, like acupuncture, require visiting a licensed professional.