Introduction to Holistic

Health
Christine Foster, MA, LLPC, NCC

What is Holistic Health

What do you think Holistic Health
consists of?

Meditation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH3
_64mLCU8&feature=watch_response

Introduction to Holistic
Principles
Paradigm:

a set of principles and assumptions

used by a culture to make sense of
the world

Worldview:

YOUR personal values and beliefs

provide a lens through which to
interact and interpret the world
Individual choice and decision
process

How do you see it ?

The Dominant Paradigm

Birth of medicine
Western, Allopathic medicine
Scientific Revolution (18th and 19th
Centuries)
Rne Descartes & Isaac Newton
Mind/Body Dichotomy (Dualism):
discrete, separate entities

Core Concepts of Holism

Interconnectedness
Balance and Harmony
Multiple Influences
Responsibility

Interconnectedness
All living things are made up of
interdependent parts that operate on many
different levels simultaneously.

Interconnectedness Cont.

Balance and Harmony

Maintenance; a state of balance (equilibrium

or homeostasis)

Living on continuum

Harmony is the ability to form and maintain

sustainable relationships

Functioning is optimal when internal

(mind/body/spirit) and external systems
(family, friends and community) are balanced

Multiple Influences
Because everything is interconnected, our
mind/body/spirit respond on multiple levels and
can be influenced in many ways.
Example: A stressed mind influences body and
hearta sick body influences mind and spirit
Looking for quick fixes (like aspirin for a
headache, alcohol for depression), doesnt work in
the long run.

Responsibility

Our ability to respond rather than react to

circumstances and challenges in our lives.

A sense of accountability or ownership.

Agreement or congruence between attention intention action.

Taking action on an intention allows you to

change old habits that no longer work for you!

Holism and Health

Internal systems

(mind/body/spirit) working together as an integrated

whole even on the cellular level

External systems

(families/communities/society/local and global

environment)

Western / Eastern Balance

Acute versus Wellness

CAM Defined
Complementary & Alternative Medicine

Either replace or complement allopathic medicine

Personal Choice

Allopathic medicine alone

Allopathic medicine + CAM (Integrative)
CAM alone
Has anyone engaged in CAM?

Research Efficacy and Responsibility

Characteristics of CAM
The body has an ability to heal itself
Our goal is to ignite this innate ability
Aim of treatment: restore balance enhancing selfhealing capabilities
The whole person is treated
Mind, body, spirit, relationships
Diagnosis and treatment are individualized

Typical Domains of CAM

Mind/Body practices
Biologically-based practices
Energetically-based practices
Manipulative-based practices
Whole medical systems

Careers in Holistic Health

Many different careers

Acupuncturist
Massage therapist
Art therapist
Yoga instructor

Specialized training necessary

Number of hours of training and practice
Specific license

Research in Holistic Health

Many aspects of Holistic Health practice
are being researched today
Mindfulness
Supplements

http://nccam.nih.gov/research

Questions???