The "Real" Problem with Holistic Medicine

There has been a lot of media coverage and interest in holistic and alternative medicines in the last 15 years. The high cost of visits to the doctor, frustration with insurance coverage, the increasing prescription of pharmaceutical drugs and the lack of effectiveness of conventional medicine for many ailments has made many in the West try or at least consider complementary or "natural" alternatives. We feel like numbers in the medical model of today, with a lack of human connection or compassion from our providers.

So, many have turned to therapies such as acupuncture, herbs, Ayurveda, yoga, tai chi, chiropractic, naturopathic or homeopathic treatment. There are so many out there. Some do it because they are desperate, and will try "anything". Others simply are seeking an entirely new path in their healing.

Of course, with the popularity and successes, come the criticisms and naysayers. "Experts" on this or that will tell you that "this" doesn't work or "that" doesn't really help. It's all in your mind, right? We have reports that this substance or that is dangerous and shouldn't be allowed for public consumption. But those are not the real problems with holistic medicine.

Holistic medicine, from any culture is usually a reflection of the cultural values from whence it came. For example, acupuncture has many roots in the Taoist traditions of China. It can not help but be so, because that is the culture that spawned it. Acupuncture is one of the Eight Branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine, medicine being likened to a great tree. The idea was to incorporate all, or as many of the branches into one's life, to develop vital health. Tai Chi practice, qi gong energy practice, meditation, application of feng shui and tuina bodywork are some of the others. The idea is that health is rooted in self-cultivation.

That's a very important concept, self-cultivation. Cultivation is the idea of repetition of positive practice and habits to develop and maintain vitality. And this is where the problem is for us in the West. We are a society of instant gratification in every way. High speed internet, speeding down the highway, cell phones to reach anyone, anywhere at anytime. Text messaging, pagers and televisions with remote control and 500 channels. We are impatient when anything in our life is not instant or high speed. That includes dealing with health issues.

Many patients complain that their doctors spend so little time with them and just seem to want to prescribe another pill for them. However, many doctors tell me that patients ask or in some cases, demand a medication to remedy even minor problems. And, I see that too. Too often, patients simply want you to fix them, but they do not want to change. Often, it's a simply lifestyle adjustment or nutritional need that will solve their problem. Many people just don't want to do it. Or, people may have a health issue that has been ongoing for decades but give up after one or two acupuncture treatments and declare "acupuncture doesn't work". The real truth is, some people do not want to work to get better. They want the instant cure.

Holistic therapies are slower in action (usually) because they are meant to be slower. Holistic health is meant to be a principle of living that delivers a real and permanent change. You do that by repetition. Eating right, exercising regulary, adequate rest and relaxation, developing an awareness of your body, fulfilling work and relationships and, maybe most important, is a positive mental outlook. These are all elements of holistic medicine and are meant to be practiced to achieve their effect. This is why the Chinese view things you can do for yourself as infinately more powerful than something somebody else has to do to you.

Holistic health is everything you're doing in between those yaerly visits to the doctor. And for many, that can be a problem. Don't let it. Let it be your life!