Holistic Medicine

Holistic Medicine (aka Alternative Care, Holism, New Thought) has existed for decades and is an approach to how treatment should be applied. Relatively recently has it begun to be integrated more into the mainstream health care system.

It first was introduced to the United States officially in 1975 at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine's first National Conference on Holistic Health.

This university conference continued there for 10 years with approximately 3,000 health professionals participating each year.

This concept then became more popular by the establishment of the American Holistic Health Association in 1989.

This philosophy of health care views both the mind and the body as interconnected and equally important in health treatment.

The whole body or complete system is viewed and treated instead of dissected and treated in individual parts. Alternative care is increasingly used in mainstream medical practice as a broad aspect of whole-body patient care.

Maintaining good health is achieved by whole body health and fitness, and emotional & spiritual well-being. The goal is wellness that is the entire person, and not just a lack of physical pain and/or disease.

For example, if someone suffers from headaches, instead of just looking for 'brain/head' issues, other body systems such as diet, stress, muscle tension, sleep and others are viewed.