Holistic Practitioners - Modalities Of Alternative Medicine

When patients seek out holistic therapies, it is often because conventional Western, or allopathic medicine has failed. Where allopathic medicine only looks at symptoms and focuses on the disease, the holistic practitioner looks for the underlying cause of illness. They look not only at the symptoms, but also the patient's diet and nutrition, mental and emotional state, and environmental factors at work and/or home. They may run tests to check for allergies and toxins to which the patient may have been exposed. They may even refer patients to other types of practitioners, such as massage therapists, chiropractors or holistic psychologists. Holistic therapies focus on using natural means to help the body heal itself, rather than simply managing symptoms and using invasive methods to treat disease, as conventional medicine does.

Family and friends who have been successfully treated with holistic therapies are probably your best source for referrals to holistic practitioners. You should not, however, rely solely on the experience of others when choosing a holistic health care provider. Once one is found though, their office itself should be a place where you feel comfortable, with a caring and professional staff. The practitioner should treat you with respect as an individual and be willing to answer questions about your course of treatment, as well as educating you about various treatment options. He or she should be open to using a variety of holistic therapies, rather than a single type of treatment. He or she should also have good health habits. Signs of stress, smoking or excessive alcohol use are signals that this may not be the right practitioner for you.

Holistic therapies are becoming increasingly popular and conventional practitioners are increasingly recognizing their benefits. Allopathic doctors are increasingly willing to refer patients to holistic practitioners, and some are even becoming educated in using holistic therapies themselves. Once you've found a good holistic care provider, you won't simply have a particular illness managed. A holistic health care practitioner will put you on the road to increased physical, mental and spiritual 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.