Comparing Holistic Health Care And Traditional Medicine

Western medicine is still the standard practice of treatment all over the world. What happens when you use this method of healing is that you attack the result of the malfunctioning of the body in an attempt to get quick relief. The Western medicine system is based on the belief that the body is a battle field that has to be defended against enemy intruders, such as viruses, bacteria, germs and the like. Yet holistic health care principles say that all diseases are the direct result of your lifestyle, energy type and level, and beliefs. The bacteria, viruses, etc, would not find themselves inside the body in the first place if the body was encouraged to protect and heal itself through all natural holistic therapy.

The system of holistic health care is based on the principle that the human body is a complete and highly self-sufficient system, which can repair itself under ideal conditions. These alternative therapies are meant to help the body achieve this perfect balance; thus healing itself. The Western medicine system believes that illness is caused by outside interferences and therefore, removing the "invading agents" will bring back your health.

Holistic health care and the Western systems follow two completely different (in fact opposite) premises. The holistic treatment looks at the body as one complete system where disease is the direct result of certain imbalances or malfunctioning of this whole system. Holistic healing is therefore induced by bringing back this perfect balance through physical exercises, all natural medicines, acupuncture, meditation, etc. Western medicine looks at disease as the result of an external invasion of harmful organisms, which need to be eradicated. This is achieved with medicines (chemicals) that attack these intruders; therefore, winning the battle means regaining your health.

Traditional Healing in Modern Medicine

You've heard that it's takes a village to raise a child, but Dr. Mehl-Madrona believes that it often takes a community to heal someone who is ill. The indigenous ways have much to teach us. In his books and this interview he tells us stories that he's told to his patients to help in their healing process. These stories give us universal wisdom and strength.

• Discover how to use the community to help your friends and family heal
• See how to integrate contemporary medicine with traditional healing
• Learn the traditional meaning of the Four Directions
• See how you can use stories to enhance the healing process
• Discover the hidden meaning of the Native American Medicine Wheel
• Be Inspired to live in harmony with the seasons and nature
• Learn about the real meaning of “success” in healing
• Explore how to use our ancestors’ spirits in healing and story
• Find out what the benefits of ceremony can be in your life
• Learn to create your own ceremonies for daily living
• See how the Ravens Beak story relates to modern health issues

Lewis Mehl-Madrona holds an M.D. from Stanford University and has been a practicing doctor for over 20 years. An experienced healer who has led many Native American healing ceremonies, Dr. Mehl-Madrona has also headed traditional medical clinics, helping AIDS and cancer patients as well as researching the benefits of relaxation techniques to aid in the natural correction of breech positioned babies. He is currently an Associate Professor of Family Practice at the University Of Hawaii School Of Medicine. He has been studying and working in the field of Native American and indigenous healing for many years.