What does "Holistic Healthcare" mean?

The word Holistic comes from the Greek word “HOLOS” meaning "the whole person." Holistic Healthcare is actually an approach to life. Rather than focusing on illness or specific parts of the body, this ancient approach considers the whole person and how he or she interacts with his or her environment. It emphasizes the connection between mind & body, emotional health and physical health.

With Holistic Health people accept responsibility for their own level of well-being, and everyday choices are used to take charge of one's own health. Holistic Healthcare Professionals work in partnership with their clients. They recommend treatments that support the body's natural healing system and consider the whole person and the whole situation.

The holistic approach goes beyond just eliminating symptoms. For example, taking an aspirin for a headache would be like disconnecting the oil light on the dash of a car when it flashes. The irritation is eliminated, but the real problem still exists. In holistic medicine, a symptom is considered a message that something needs attention. So, the symptom is used as a guide to look below the surface for the root cause. Then what really needs attention can be addressed.