"The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Body-Mind Discipline": Holistic Health

Holistic approaches have become more prominent in the treatments of many diseases. The “Holistic Health” chapter, written by Susan Walter, of the Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Body-Mind Discipline introduces the idea of holistic health as an approach to life not to health. Instead it focuses on the body as a whole instead of solely concentrating on the illness. The goal of a holistic approach is to better the well-being of your overall health by considering your everyday choices. It is important to note that the authors disclose that the body-mind discipline is not made to replace diagnosis and treatment of a licensed physician.

Holistic health developed as an “ancient healing tradition” approximately 5,000 years ago in India and China. These cultures stressed the balance of living life in harmony with nature also following the words of Socrates which cautioned against the treatment of an illness as a single issue, “for the part can never be well unless the whole is well”. While “Holism” was coined by Jan Christiaan Smuts in 1926 as an idea that emphasized living things as greater and different than their individual parts, it was not until 1970 that holistic became a popular term.

During the 20^th century, with strides in scientific advancements, holistic health concepts lost popularity in Western societies. Medical advancements created a shift in the concept of health and when germs were identified health began focusing on the termination of these “microscopic invaders” with the help of manufactured drugs. Unhealthy life choices became more common due to the belief that modern medicine would be able to fix the effects that developed. However, Walter explains that some of these treatments often are more harmful to some people than beneficial and that many treatments do not help chronic conditions. Therefore, people have gone back to the holistic approach with hopes that a more practical option will enhance vitality and well-being.

Holistic health on a rudimentary basis is aligned with the nature of law, that all things are interdependent. An individual is made up of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual parts that all affect one another. An example given is an individual dealing with stress might feel a physical reaction like a stomach ache or someone who suppresses anger might deal with reoccurring migraines and possibly even arthritis. The U.S CDC reported that the factors influencing an individual’s state of health have remained virtually the same over a 20-year span. Medical care quality makes up 10 percent, environment 19 percent, and everyday lifestyle choices account for 53 percent. Walter claims that these choices regard the consumption of physical and mental substances. That quality of life is established by “seemingly unimportant choices made every day.”

The practice of holistic health lies on the exploration of an individual’s everyday action in order to discover the best way they can achieve maximum well-being. When regarding chronic and diseases holistic health relied on a principle that focuses on holistic medicine. Holistic medicine is a term that refers to the relationship between health care professionals using the holistic approach “in partnership with their patients”. Meaning they decide to take steps to eliminate more than just symptoms.  Although Walter does introduce a relationship with health care professionals, what problems might arise from the integrations of “holistic medicine? Do we see in our common visits to the clinic holistic approaches from health care professionals?

Quiz:

Why did the holistic approach lose popularity in the 20^th century?

Who warned against the treatment of only one part of the body?

What warning do the authors disclose?

Who coined the term Holism?

Where does holistic health derive from?