Holistic Treatment Techniques for Specific Conditions
Holistic therapy offers effective treatment options for a variety of specific conditions. With limited side effects, treatment techniques can provide options that offer relief, healing, and lasting health improvements.
Stress and anxiety
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health disorders in Western cultures, with over 18% of American adults struggling with some form of anxiety (Anxiety & Depression Association of America, n.d.).
Some of the most effective techniques used to treat anxiety holistically include mindfulness, yoga, breathing techniques, hypnosis, and physical exercise.
Chronic pain
Alternative medicines are common forms of treatment for musculoskeletal and other pain disorders. Between 59% and 90% of clients using holistic alternative treatments for chronic pain reported that they were helpful and could provide an adjunctive treatment to pain (Urits et al., 2021).
Much of the research on holistic treatment for chronic pain has centered around acupuncture, tai chi, meditation, and yoga. These techniques provide a physical release and help to connect the mind and body in a way that minimizes the experience of pain.
PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that creates psychological pain, impairs social function, and poses a threat to general health and life (Song et al., 2020).
Some effective holistic techniques to treat PTSD include herbal medicine, meditation, yoga, deep-breathing exercises, and other mind–body therapies.
A meta-analysis comparing these holistic alternatives found they were at least as effective as medication in decreasing negative symptoms and moderating problematic behaviors (Song et al., 2020). As with treatment of other conditions, holistic approaches have positive effects with limited risks and side effects.
Addiction
Holistic therapy is often used to help treat addiction issues and is part of many addiction treatment facilities (in- and outpatient treatment centers). Research has demonstrated that holistic techniques of dance/movement therapy, yoga, art therapy, recreation therapy, and spiritual growth and development help clients struggling with addiction to develop self-esteem, confidence, and a renewed identity (Breslin et al., 2003).
5 Benefits of Holistic Healing
There are many benefits to holistic treatments for healing and improving wellbeing. There are beneficial effects of holistic treatment for depression, anxiety, stress, cognitive function, family communication, chronic pain, PTSD, and addiction (Ventegodt et al., 2006).
1. Mind–body connection healing
Mental health issues can manifest physically with symptoms of phantom pain, digestive issues, lack of focus/clarity, and poor sleep (Ventegodt et al., 2006).
Holistic healing works with the body to regulate the nervous system and improve both mental and physical health. When the mind, body, and spirit are connected and aligned, the body naturally heals itself.
2. Autonomy and empowerment
Holistic healing practices emphasize choice and a practitioner–client relationship. Holistic therapy allows clients to take responsibility and make autonomous decisions regarding their own health and healing journey.
Clients can learn about the various options and lifestyle choices that will lead to better mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing and take ownership of behavior change.
3. Emphasis on prevention
The goal of holistic medicine is to improve health, educate clients, and create sustainable wellness over a lifetime. Holistic therapies encourage positive choices that improve mind, body, and spirit to actually prevent, rather than just treat, illness and disease and increase vitality and longevity.
4. Limited side effects
Since most holistic therapies focus on natural options, there are few risks and side effects. Unlike many conventional treatments, such as surgery and prescription medications, holistic healing has minimal risk for complications, discomfort, or long-term side effects.
5. Cost effective
Many holistic techniques can be practiced with minimal or no financial cost. While a trained holistic therapist may be beneficial in evaluating and designing a treatment program for specific goals, things like mindfulness, meditation, dance, a home yoga practice, spiritual practices, and physical exercise in nature cost nothing and can easily be integrated into daily life.
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