Holistic Health

The shamans and healers of old always looked at the whole person they were treating. They knew that a person was so much more than just a physical vessel called the body. In fact, treating the soul was first and foremost so that the body could begin its healing process.

We seem to have almost lost sight of the connection between body, mind and spirit in today's world of medicine. In many cases, a trip to the doctor has become a revolving door. The doctor breezes into your treatment room, orders the appropriate tests to determine how to treat the symptoms of your disorder and then prescribes medicine to alleviate the symptoms. But, what about the real cause of the problem? What about healing the soul as well? I find it funny that modern day medicine has taken a huge step forward in technology, but an even bigger step backward in treating the whole person instead of just the body.

I go to two doctors. I go to my traditional doctor to help diagnose and treat dis-ease in my body. Then I go to my naturopath to find out what is at the root of my dis-ease. The difference between my two doctors is that my naturopath knows me inside and out. The first time I went to see her she had me fill out about 10 pages of information which not only concerned what was happening with my body, but also what was happening in my life. The questionnaire touched on every aspect of who I am. My first appointment lasted an hour and we talked about the whole me. We talked about my feelings concerning my family and friends. We looked particularly at my diet and how I exercised. And, she actually diagnosed me as an empath, a term with which my traditional doctor was totally unfamiliar,

Being an empath basically means I wear my nervous system on the outside of my body and I feel my way through my life. It is the reason I tend to be an introvert and also why I am prone to stomach and intestinal issues. After explaining this to my traditional doctor, he prescribed an anti anxiety medicine with a list of side effects as long as my arm. My naturopath suggested massage, reiki, herbal tinctures, and ways to shield myself from over feeling. And, she didn’t even flinch when I asked about CBD.

My traditional doctor changed the subject when I mentioned CBD to him.

Now, it would seem to me that if holistic medicine and traditional medicine could meet in the middle we would be a much healthier society. The United States is actually one of the few countries in the world that doesn’t recognize the importance of the body, mind, and spirit connection. Insurance usually doesn’t even cover holistic medicine.

When did our society begin to see holistic medicine as a less than adequate treatment for dis-ease? When did we lose sight of our soul as the focus of who we really are? When did we totally start to disregard the wisdom of the natural healing process that has been handed down to us throughout the centuries?

The earth itself is the foundation of all the medicines we use today. Healing medicines are still derived and processed from the natural world around us. There is good medicine in the fresh food that we pick from the trees and vines. These is really good medicine in compassionate human touch. It seems to me that we have literally forgotten the heart and soul of healing.

I truly hope that there will come a time when holistic medicine and traditional medicine can work hand and hand to create a world centered on recognizing the needs of the whole person instead of just a sum of their body parts.

I am not a doctor... traditional or holistic... but I can offer one thing to each of you reading this today.

Virtual hugs and loving thoughts sent your way!