"Holistic" is the health industry's new buzzword, most
often associated with Alternative medicine, the new buzz phrase. The
status of the word "holistic" has made it victim to advertisers and
marketers, who are attaching it to everything under the sun. They know
holistic is one of those words that instantly "validates" a product or
service. I remember at the height of the no fat craze, going into the
supermarket and seeing pretzels packaged with No Fat boldly printed on
the labels. Pretzels have always been one of the least fat filled foods
you could find. "Organic" began popping up on packaging during the
height of the natural foods craze. The problem was and in some ways
still is, each company had its own definition of organic. And now I see
the same thing happening with the word "Holistic". A consumer sees
"Holistic" in the product name or description and buy it thinking the
product is somehow better. When asked what "holistic" is, very few can
answer correctly.
Synergistic - when parts work together for the benefit of the whole
In simplest terms holistic is the synergistic relationship of
parts of a whole. So the term can be applied to any system, whether it
be mechanical, electronic, a business, or health. Since I am in the
health business I will speak about "holistic" in health terms. Be aware
I am simplifying for the sake of time and space.
Holistic is as much a concept, as it is a practice.
Our overall wellness is determined by the state of our Spiritual
(emotional) being, along with the state of our Mental being and our
Physical being. If the Spirit, Mind, or Body is not well then our
overall wellness is not at ease (dis-ease). In order to relieve the
dis-ease of our wellness, we must receive holistic treatments. These
treatments are actually a system or group of treatments that seek to
affect the three elements of being, Spirit, Mind, and Body. A good
example of this is (can be) aromatherapy, which through the application
of essential oils effects the physical being. At the same time the
aroma "can" be soothing to the soul. A good therapist will take the
time to speak with the ailing person, asking pertinent questions about
their health and explaining what the treatment is expected to do. A
caring nature is important for any therapist to have.
Sometimes the holistic treatment can not be provided in one
location or by one therapist. In that case in order for the treatment
to be considered holistic, each therapist working with a client must be
aware of what the other therapist(s) is/are doing. The therapies must
be carried out synergistically.
Holistic, in terms of health, means taking into consideration
the three elements of the being, Spirit, Mind and Body, when attempting
to regain or maintain an optimal state of Well-being. Any meditation or
mind set training, by itself is not holistic. Any food by itself is not
holistic, any exercise by itself is not holistic.
A holistic state is only achieved when all three elements of the being are being addressed.
