Whether you prefer the holistic or western approach to medicine, both have their role in specific scenarios to make us feel healthy, strong and 100%.
What is Western Medicine?
Western medicine, also known as modern, allopathic, or conventional medicine, relies on a research-based approach to diagnose and treat various medical conditions using pharmaceutical drugs, surgery and radiation.
What is Holistic Medicine?
Holistic medicine, also referred to as traditional, alternative, or Eastern medicine, views health as a fusion of mind, body and spirit. The treatment and prevention of health conditions combines an individual’s nutrition, lifestyle, mental health, social relationships and environmental health.
Western Medicine Versus Alternative Medicine
Western Medicine
Western medicine is based on modern science and evaluates the body, its disorders and medical treatments in biochemical aspects.
Diagnosis & Treatment:
Conventional medicine relies on the treatments and diagnosis that work on larger populations, rather than individualized treatments.
Formal tests are typically administered when you have certain symptoms and treatments for those symptoms include medications, with suggestions for lifestyle changes after the condition has settled.
Whenever you go to the doctor for a health-related issue, you tell the nurse your symptoms, the nurse tells your doctor, and the doctor puts the puzzle pieces together based on research formulated in the past by someone who’s had similar symptoms.
This is why western medicine is superior in:
Acute & emergency care,
Diagnosing disease,
Postponing the development of disease,
Relieving symptoms,
Surgical procedures,
Clinical trials,
Drug interactions & pharmaceuticals
Cause of Illness:
Western medicine focuses on physical components like genetics, germs and physical symptoms to identify the cause of an ailment.
Nowadays, more and more patients feel that the western approach to medicine neglects to address their emotional, mental and personal wellness.
Many people are seeking an alternative approach that utilizes a holistic, or whole-person, approach to health.
Holistic Medicine
Instead of merely treating the symptoms of an illness, holistic medicine aims to improve an individual’s overall well-being by addressing the person as a whole, and by working to treat the underlying cause of disease/condition.
Alternative medicine highlights the body’s ability to heal itself and promotes healthy lifestyle changes and natural remedies during treatment.
Cause of Illness:
Holistic medicine identifies imbalances in the patient’s social, environmental and emotional influences in order to address a disease/condition.
Diagnosis & Treatment:
Rather than using synthetically produced drugs, holistic medicine offers safe, natural and effective medical treatment alternatives that promote mind, body and soul through a healthy lifestyle.
These treatments can be diet and exercise regimens, meditation, acupuncture, herbal supplements, therapy and more!
What is holistic medicine used for:
Preventative care and healing
Undiagnosable, complex conditions
Relieving symptoms,
Identifying the root cause of a symptom,
Implementing a healthy lifestyle change,
Utilizing natural supplements, herbs, homeopathy and food, as medicine.
Holistic medicine is effective in treating conditions like anxiety, depression, PTSD, arthritis, insomnia, stress, and much more.
Visit our website to learn more about our holistic approach to health, and how the California Institute of the Healing Arts and Sciences can help you or someone you know!
