If you are searching for a more natural approach to your health care, look for a holistic doctor in your area. These types of physicians look at a patient’s entire lifestyle to help them overcome a chronic or temporary condition. What sets them apart from traditional medicine is that traditional physicians will often solely focus on the one ailment that is bothering the patient. When visiting a traditional doctor, a consultation can sometimes take only a few minutes until the doctor is diagnosing you with a specific health issue.
A physician who believes in holistic methods will take more time to discuss your overall health, get a clear understanding of your lifestyle and habits, and help set up a plan with you to improve your current condition and prevent any others from arising. Some of the things that this type of physician will consider include your:
• Emotional state
• Diet
• Other health problems
• Current problems at work or home
• Spiritual well-being
With holistic methods, you can improve your overall health rather than only curing one particular health problem. A holistic doctor will want to help you balance your life in all areas so that you are less likely to have a temporary illness or a chronic health condition. While a holistic physician may prescribe an antibiotic for strep throat, they will also want to understand why/how you may have developed the condition in the first place. To prevent an infection in the future, the physician will also want to learn more about your dietary habits and sleeping patterns because these aspects of your life can affect your entire immune system. A holistic doctor will often provide information about nutrition to help improve your health along with discussing why you should alter your sleeping patterns.
Types of Alternative Therapies
If you are looking for better ways to cope with stress, a doctor will discuss alternative therapies for relaxation such as performing yoga exercise or learning how to meditate. Additional alternative therapy methods include:
• Acupuncture
• Massages
• Herbal supplementation
• Chiropractic adjustments
• Applications of essential oils
• Removal of metallic dental fillings
• Behavioral changes
• Electromagnetic treatments
When you visit a traditional physician, they may not be as concerned about your other health conditions that can sometimes be contributing to your main medical issue. You may receive some advice about not smoking or about losing weight, but the physician usually will not offer specific treatments to overcome these problems. A holistic doctor, on the other hand, will offer advice about daily diet habits, eating plant-based meals and reducing portion sizes. To stop smoking, they may suggest an alternative therapy such as hypnosis to help you overcome the cravings for a cigarette.
Overcoming Chronic Medical Conditions
If you suffer from a chronic health condition such as arthritis or fibromyalgia, treatments from a holistic doctor can help relieve your pain and feel overall better. These types of conditions can affect the entire body with symptoms such as pain, fatigue or fever, making you feel depressed or anxious. While a traditional physician would prescribe pain relievers or antidepressants, in holistic medicine, you can undergo a variety of therapies that will help you feel better without taking medications that cause negative side effects.