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“Holistic healing” has become increasingly more mainstream in recent years, as more and more people have touted its benefits for a host of physical and mental health conditions— and there are many, reportedly. Here we’ll take a closer look at nine such practices, with a view to exploring their therapeutic benefits in greater depth.
What are “Holistic” Practices?
Several terms commonly used today refer to healing practices that are not considered strictly surgical or pharmaceutical treatments. Examples include: “holistic healing,” “holistic approaches,” “holistic healing methods,” “complementary therapies,” “alternative medicine,” “natural healthcare,” and sometimes “integrative medicine.” Whatever the term used, they all have one thing in common: They’re not conventional medical or pharmacological treatments.Another critical point is that these holistic healing methods are used in hospitals, clinics, and rehab centers alongside conventional medical and pharmaceutical treatments. And they’re readily accepted as part of treating the whole person, body, mind, and spirit. Many who have participated in various forms of holistic therapy report they’ve experienced relief from their symptoms and conditions. In some cases, holistic practices can have a profoundly positive impact on mind and body wellness.
On their website, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), a branch of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that if an approach that’s non-mainstream is used in conjunction with conventional medicine, the approach is considered “complementary.” On the other hand, if an approach that’s non-mainstream is used instead of or as a substitute for traditional treatment, the approach is viewed as “alternative.”
So, what is holistic treatment? It’s incorporating one or several types of holistic healing into an integrative treatment plan or regimen for whole-person health. According to the NCCIH, the concept refers to helping the person improve and restore their health in many domains, such as behavioral, biological, environmental, and social (not just as a treatment for disease).
Why Managing Your Stress and Finding Mental Peace is Important
Coping with a physical and mental health issue can be stressful, terrifying, confusing, hopeless, daunting, and of long-term nature. It can be difficult and frustrating to know what to do when, where to obtain the best treatment and therapies, and how to measure the success of any treatment regimen or plan. Finding ways to manage stress and gain peace of mind is crucial in healing.
List of Holistic Practices
The NCCIH lists a number of mind and body practices that it categorizes according to psychological and physical exercises. These include mindful eating, mindfulness, spiritual practices, meditation, breathing and relaxation techniques, movement education, yoga, tai chi, art, music, and dance. Physical methods in the complementary health approach include manual therapies and heat and cold techniques. Light/electrical/magnetic stimulation practices overlap psychological and physical complementary mind and body practices.
Yoga
Yoga began in India as a spiritual practice, yet it has become a popular way to promote mental and physical well-being.
What Is the Practice?
In the United States, yoga most often emphasizes breathing techniques (“pranayama”), physical postures (“asanas”), and meditation (“dyana”). Along with tai chi and qi gong, yoga is often referred to as a meditative movement practice.
Why You Should Consider Doing It
Yoga supports positive health habits. It also may improve wellness by helping alleviate stress, benefit sleep and balance, and improve mental and emotional health.
How You Can Practically Incorporate It into Your Life
Look for qualified instructors before beginning a yoga practice. Note that newcomers to yoga should avoid extreme postures to prevent getting hurt. There are also some risks of dehydration and overheating, so be cautious.
Ayurveda
Ayurveda is one example of an alternative medical system that was developed independently from the traditional Western medicine approach. Another example is traditional Chinese medicine.
What Is the Practice?
The Ayurvedic treatment uses mostly plant-based products (which may also include metal, mineral, and animal products), combined with attention to diet, lifestyle, and exercise.
Why You Should Consider Doing It
There’s some evidence of pain reduction and functional improvements in those with osteoarthritic knee problems. A 2013 clinical trial compared Ayurvedic plant extracts with a pharmaceutical drug (celecoxib) and natural glucosamine sulfate. Other pilot studies and clinical trials found Ayurvedic treatments effective for rheumatoid arthritis and type 2 diabetes. Turmeric, an often-used herb in Ayurvedic medicine, may be helpful for those who have ulcerative colitis.
How You Can Practically Incorporate It into Your Life
Talk with your healthcare provider before using Ayurvedic products. Note that there’s no clear standard regulation of the practice in the U.S., and there’s no state license requirement for Ayurvedic practitioners.
Reiki
Reiki is one of several energy therapies. These involve using a form of energy to heal the participant.
What Is the Practice?
This is a complementary health approach in which the Reiki practitioner places their hands just above or lightly on the person. The goal is the direction of energy to aid the person’s innate healing response.
Why You Should Consider Doing It
Reiki may be beneficial as part of an integrative healing program that includes conventional and holistic healing methods.
How You Can Practically Incorporate It into Your Life
Look for qualified Reiki practitioners with good reviews.
Tai Chi
Tai chi is a complementary physical and psychological approach to holistic healing.
What Is the Practice?
The practice of tai chi involves gentle, slow movements and holding certain physical postures. Controlled breathing and a meditative, mindful state are also integral to the practice. While tai chi originated in China as a martial art, its modern iteration is focused on promoting health and rehabilitation.
Why You Should Consider Doing It
Proponents of tai chi say that holistic healing seems to help them with stability and balance, reduces back pain, and reduces knee osteoarthritis pain. Some people with cancer, heart disease, and other types of chronic illness also credit tai chi for improving their quality of life.
How You Can Practically Incorporate It into Your Life
Locate nearby tai chi instructors and for peace of mind be sure to confirm they are certified. Note there are no state or federal regulations for tai chi instructors.
Watsu
Watsu is a body therapy that is gentle and performed in the water,
What Is the Practice?
Watsu combines several elements: massage, muscle stretching, shiatsu, joint mobilization, and dance. During this holistic healing intervention, the person floats in warm water and is supported while rocked, stretched, and cradled.
Why You Should Consider Doing It
This practice provides gentle, holistic relief that helps many achieve deep relaxation and injury recovery.
How You Can Practically Incorporate It into Your Life
The World Aquatic Bodywork Association has training programs for Watsu certification, so look for certified practitioners, instructors, and classes in their registry.
Float Therapy
“Float therapy” takes place in a sensory deprivation tank. The tank is dark, soundproof, and filled with saltwater.
What Is the Practice?
While floating in the sensory deprivation tank, the recipient benefits from reduced external stimuli. The intent is to improve overall wellbeing.
Why You Should Consider Doing It
Float therapy may be a welcome addition to other holistic healing methods to reduce stress and anxiety, muscle tension and pain, enhance relaxation, and improve sleep quality.
How You Can Practically Incorporate It into Your Life
Look for nearby local float therapy providers.
Acupuncture
While acupuncture has been practiced for over 2,500 years, it originated in traditional Chinese medicine. Today, it is famous worldwide for its holistic healing benefits.
What Is the Practice?
Acupuncture involves the placement and insertion of tiny needles into the skin. It’s used to treat various health problems. During acupuncture, the acupuncturist manipulates the needles with manual pressure or stimulation with small electrical currents.
Why You Should Consider Doing It
This holistic relief method may decrease chronic pain, including low back, neck, and osteoarthritis/knee pain.
How You Can Practically Incorporate It into Your Life
Some health insurers cover acupuncture, although coverage may be limited depending on which condition is treated. Medicare, for example, began covering acupuncture for low back pain in 2020. Look for a licensed acupuncturist but note that licensing requirements vary by state.
Massage
Massage is a body-based therapy that uses physical manipulation, movement, and body touch.
What Is the Practice?
Massage involves the manipulation of the body’s soft tissues. In the U.S., Swedish massage (also called classical massage) is the most common massage therapy. There are also sports, clinical massage, and shiatsu and tuina, derived from eastern cultures.
Why You Should Consider Doing It
Massage feels good, enhances well0-being, and helps relieve pain. Anyone suffering from neck and shoulder pain, low-back pain, headaches, and knee osteoarthritis pain, may want to incorporate massage into holistic relief techniques.
How You Can Practically Incorporate It into Your Life
Reduce stress and gain a sense of wellbeing by finding a qualified massage therapist nearby. The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork certifies massage therapists.
Meditation
Meditation dates back thousands of years, with many of its techniques originating in Eastern traditions.
What Is the Practice?
Meditation involves several practices focusing on integrating body and mind. Meditation seeks to enhance the recipient’s overall wellbeing and calm the mind.
Why You Should Consider Doing It
Meditation may help relieve some symptoms of depression and anxiety, lower blood pressure, reduce insomnia, and alleviate specific symptoms in those with ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome.
How You Can Practically Incorporate It into Your Life
Look for programs that focus on meditation alone or meditation and mindfulness in combination. There is also mindfulness-based cognitive therapy that incorporates mindfulness with cognitive behavioral therapy.
Take Advantage of Holistic Healing
There are many holistic therapies to consider in an overall holistic healing program. With so much to choose from, why not experiment with one or more and see how much relief they provide?
At FHE Health, we offer a variety of holistic healing practices that allow us to treat the whole person and boost their recovery from addiction and mental health disorders. For more information about these offerings and how they might help you, contact FHE Health. One of our caring counselors will be happy to assist you.
