What is a holistic
doctor? Holistic doctors are
educated and trained in traditional medicine and hold a medical
degree. They are capable of addressing all standard medical needs
the same as a traditional medical doctor, however, they adhere to
holistic principles that use a variety of alternative methods to
promote physical, emotional and spiritual health and encourage a better
quality of life.
Treatment draws together the wisdom from a variety of different health
care modalities and cultures. No particular treatment option is seen as
"the" answer or the "superior" solution. Health, healing and
management are acquired through the combination of many different
approaches. Pharmaceuticals or surgery may be prescribed, but
only when absolutely essential and after other methods have been
exhausted. A holistic medical doctor sees value in both traditional and
alternative methods and will combine the two when the situation calls
for it.
Holistic doctors are my first choice and my highest recommendation for
anyone interested in holistic health care, especially those living with
chronic illness or any medical condition. Holistic health
practitioners of all kinds are valuable and to be utilized as needed,
but many medical needs can only be met by a holistic medical doctor and
it gives you a much wider variety of treatment options. They are
the best of all worlds.
Some alternative and holistic treatment methods require a
prescription. For example, I take natural pig thyroid extract for
hypothyroidism and natural cortisol due to malfunctioning adrenal
glands. Even though these treatments are natural, they require a
prescription from a medical doctor.
A good holistic doctor will be well rounded and knowledgeable in many
different modalities and be experienced with a variety of different
illnesses, diseases and conditions. They will be skilled in
pinpointing and addressing biochemical and metabolic disorders, food
allergies, chemical sensitivities, nutritional deficiencies, herbal
remedies, homeopathic remedies, vitamin and mineral
supplementation, diet plans, lifestyle changes, environmental
medicine and even spiritual aspects. This is a great benefit
because you can get most of your holistic medical needs met in one
place and therefore you won't have to be running around to five or six
different practitioners.
If you're looking for certain holistic services that you're holistic
doctor doesn't provide, they are usually connected with many other
health care practitioners in the community and will know where to
guide
you.
Finding a Holistic Doctor
Two of the best places to find a holistic doctor are the
American Holistic Medical
Association and the
American
Academy of Environmental Medicine . You can find referrals there
with contact
information, credentials and specialties.
All holistic medical doctors listed at both these agencies must be a
licensed MD (Medical Doctor) or DO ( Osteopathic Doctor)
You can also find listings at the American Holistic Health Association,
but not all listings here are medical doctors, this organization has
referrals for all types of
holistic
health practitioners, so if you're
searching specifically for a medical doctor, be sure to check their
credentials and look for the M.D. or D.O. beside their name.
Just like any field of medicine there will be different levels of skill
and quality amongst holistic medical doctors, be sure to research and
make the best choice for your situation.
When searching for holistic doctors it's important that you find
someone you feel comfortable with. Someone who respects you,
values your input and is a good listener. Trust and communication are
of the utmost importance, because building a relationship with your
doctor and working together is the foundation of holistic
medicine.
A good holistic doctor will encourage you to participate in all
decisions regarding your treatment options and present you with a
variety of self care modalities as well.
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doctors back to holistic medicine
