The future of healthcare is shaping up in front of our very eyes with advances in digital healthcare technologies, such as artificial intelligence, VR/AR, 3D-printing, robotics or nanotechnology. We have to familiarize ourselves with the latest developments in order to be able to control technology and not the other way around.
The future of healthcare lies in working hand-in-hand with technology. Healthcare workers have to embrace emerging healthcare technologies in order to stay relevant in the coming years.
Be bold, curious and informed!
Fear of robots taking over healthcare jobs, AI taking control of the world and growing virtual reality addiction are common and may seem unrelated, but ultimately they all represent a fear of the unknown future. But no matter how scary the future might seem at the moment, we cannot stop technological development; and sooner or later we will find out that whole areas of our lives have been transformed through various technologies.
Thus, our task is to turn to technologies with an open mind and to prepare for the changing world with as much knowledge as possible.
Technology can only aid and improve our lives if we stand on its shoulders and if we are always (at least) two steps ahead. But if we adhere to this rule, the cooperation between people and technology could result in amazing achievements.
By embracing digital technology in healthcare, we can create sustainable systems, equalize doctor-patient relationships, and find more effective solutions for diseases, ultimately leading to healthier individuals and communities. It's essential to start by improving our health and attitude towards health, medicine, and healthcare through digital technologies.
As you are probably well aware, we did our fair share in this preparation, writing hundreds of articles, creating hundreds of videos, publishing dozens of studies and research papers, and of course, writing a good number of books.
So what does it all look like in practice? To serve as an introduction, this article will explore 10 ways in which medical technology is reshaping healthcare. For more in-depth analysis and further examples, I invite you to check The Guide to the Future of Medicine.
1. Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence has the potential to redesign healthcare completely. AI algorithms are able to mine medical records, design treatment plans or create drugs way faster than any current actor on the healthcare palette including any medical professional. And with the recent generative AI revolution, they finally became available and useful for everyday people and everyday healthcare professionals.
Atomwise aims to reduce the costs of medicine development by using supercomputers to predict from a database of molecular structures in advance which potential medicines will work, and which won’t. Their deep convolutional neural network, AtomNet, screens more than 100 million compounds each day.
Google’s Med-PaLM is the first large language model specifically trained for medical purposes, and its second iteration is reported to be significantly outperforming the first version. While it is not accessible to everyday folks, it's already being tested in an extended circle of hospitals
These are only two of the many companies using AI to advance healthcare in numerous ways from designing new drugs to disrupting diagnostics. We’ve collected our favourite examples of how some of the players currently on the market are keeping their eyes on the future in a recent article. Imagine what horizons would open for humanity if early utilization of AI results in such amazing discoveries!
2. Extended reality
Extended reality (XR) holds the potential to be the next major computing platform. Collectively, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) fall under the umbrella term of XR – and all of them are relevant in terms of the future of medicine.
The immersiveness that VR offers has made it an appropriate fit as a drug-free alternative for mental health care and pain management.
While the technology is still maturing, AR already has some promising use cases in healthcare. Neurosurgeons at Johns Hopkins University performed their first AR-assisted spinal fusion surgery in 2020. A similar procedure with the technology was successfully completed in December 2022 at the Hospital for Special Surgery in the State of New York.
Mixed reality adds an additional layer of depth and perspective to the virtual elements that enable further interactions which are not possible through AR. MR use has largely remained in the realm of industries – rather than that of the general consumer – through devices such as the Microsoft Hololens and the Magic Leap. In this example, physicians employed the MR headset to hold hands-free conversations with colleagues and patients while viewing medical notes and X-rays for clinical decision-making.
3. Health trackers, wearables and sensors
As the future of medicine and healthcare is closely connected to the empowerment of patients as well as individuals taking care of their own health through technologies, I cannot leave out health trackers, wearables and sensors from my selection. They are great devices for getting to know more about ourselves and retake control over our own lives. I also use a dozen health trackers on a daily basis to live healthily.
I personally use a Withings watch and sensors to monitor my sleep and track my workout. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Over the years I have tested over a hundred digital health devices and wrote multiple times about how we can harness these new capabilities.
Regardless of whether you would like to manage your weight, stress level, cognitive capabilities better or would like to reach an overall fit and energetic state, there is a device which is guaranteed to meets your needs and do even more! The beauty of these new tech-fuelled devices is that they really make patients the point-of-care. With the ability to monitor one’s health at home and share the results remotely with their physician, these devices empower people to take control of their health and make more informed decisions.
4. Portable diagnostics devices
When it comes to gadgets and instant solutions, there is the great dream that every healthcare professional shares: to have one almighty and omnipotent device, with which you can diagnose and analyze every disease. It even materialized – although only on screen – as the medical tricorder in Star Trek. When Dr McCoy grabbed his tricorder and scanned a patient, the portable, hand–held device immediately listed vital signs, other parameters, and a diagnosis. It was the Swiss Army knife for physicians.
Thanks to the exponential progress in healthcare technology, we now live in a world where similar devices, which were once a figment of sci-fi enthusiasts' imaginations, are available! The Viatom CheckMe Pro is one such palm-sized gadget which can measure ECG, heart rate, oxygen saturation, temperature, blood pressure and more! There are also other companies working on similar devices like the MedWand which on top of measuring multiple vital parameters, includes a camera for telemedical purposes.
Then there’s the FDA-cleared BioSticker from BioIntelliSense which, despite being tiny and thin, can measure a wide range of parameters such as respiratory rate, heart rate, skin temperature, body position, activity levels, sleep status, gait and more. And of course, we shouldn't forget about portable ultrasounds like the Philips Lumify and the Clarius Portable Ultrasound we tested a while ago or the Kosmos by EchoNous, so far the only portable ultrasound benchmarked against cart-based machines I could try. The AI-backed, portable device still impresses me.
5. Direct-to-consumer genetic testing
The whole Human Genome Project cost the US government approximately $2.7 billion, which is an insanely huge amount of money. Especially if you consider that a few years later DNA sequencing giant Illumina unveiled a new machine that the company says is “expected one day” to order up your whole genome for less than $100. Just recently we started reading the first news reports about this prediction becoming a reality.
Direct-to-consumer genetic testing has come very far in the past few years. A great number of companies have started offering valuable insights, implementing new methods, while the technology in other areas is still not delivering too much.
DTC genetic tests provide individuals with personalized information about their genetic predispositions to various health conditions, enabling them to take proactive measures in prevention and early intervention, which is crucial for maintaining a good quality of life for longer. Additionally, it empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their lifestyle and healthcare, which can lead to better overall well-being and longevity.
6. Revolutionizing drug development
Currently, the process of developing new drugs is too long and too expensive. However, there are ways to improve drug development with methods ranging from artificial intelligence to in silico trials. Such new technologies and approaches already are and will remain to dominate the pharmaceutical landscape in the years to come.
Companies like Turbine, Atomwise and Deep Genomics are leveraging the power of AI to develop new drug candidates and novel therapeutic solutions in record time and shorten the time necessary to release these to the market, all while saving costs and lives.
Another promising healthcare technology is in silico drug trials. These are individualized computer simulations used in the development or regulatory evaluation of a medical product, device or intervention. While the current technology and biological understanding doesn’t allow for completely simulated clinical trials, there is significant progress in this field with organs-on-a-chip, which are already being put in use. HumMod, or the “most complete, mathematical model of human physiology ever created”, is being employed in several research projects.
Imagine if we could test thousands of new potential drugs on billions of virtual patient models in minutes? We might reach this stage in the near future.
7. Digital therapeutics
Digital Therapeutics or DTx in short is one of the latest buzzwords in the digital health ecosystem. Unlike others (NFT, Metaverse just to name a few) however, we see DTx as a meaningful trend that has the capacity to create short-term, substantial improvements in personalised healthcare.
DTx delivers evidence-based, clinically backed solutions to manage and/or improve health conditions via software and/or other digital health technologies. Drugs and digital therapeutics (DTx) have a symbiotic relationship. While DTx brings unique advantages, it works best in conjunction with traditional therapeutics. Together, they can deliver impressive results, such as reducing readmission rates and managing chronic conditions more effectively.
DTx solutions are typically delivered through smartphone apps. In other words, via a channel pretty much everyone has access to. Not only is that important because accessibility is one of the key factors for any new solution to become widely used. It also allows a certain kind of privacy, bringing treatments to the patients’ homes, removing stigmas typically connected to a number of therapies, either in substance abuse care or in mental health.
DTx represent a whole new pathway of healing that requires a bit of acclimatization: we visit app stores in addition to the pharmacy and use our phones next to, or sometimes in instead of, swallowing pills
8. Consumer medical robotics
One of the most exciting and fastest growing fields of healthcare is robotics; developments range from robot companions through surgical robots to pharmabotics, disinfectant robots and exoskeletons.
We've already seen Europe’s first exoskeleton-aided surgery and how a tetraplegic man became capable of controlling an exoskeleton with his brain! There are loads of other applications for these sci-fi suits from aiding nurses through lifting elderly patients to helping patients with spinal cord injuries.
Robot companions also have their place in healthcare to help alleviate loneliness, treat mental health issues or even help children with chronic illnesses. The Pepper, Paro and Buddy robots are all existing examples.
AI-powered prosthetics is another interesting field with breathtaking potential, although such prosthetics are not yet widely available. But with time, the costs of components will go down and these technologies will become an integral part of creating artificial limbs. We’re still years from seeing AI-limbs being commonplace but it’s a time to look forward to.
9. 3D-printing & bioprinting
3D-printing can bring wonders to all aspects of healthcare. We are still quite far from easily printing ready-to-use organs – and get rid of transplant waiting lists forever -, but the field is advancing in a steady pace with exciting announcements arriving regularly.
We can now print biotissues, regenerative heart valves that grow with the patients, artificial limbs, retinal cells, pills, blood vessels and the list goes on and will likely keep on doing so.
The pharmaceutical industry is also benefiting from this technology. FDA-approved 3D-printed drugs have been a reality since 2015 and researchers are working on 3D-printing “polypills”. These contain several layers of drugs so as to help patients adhere to their therapeutic plan.
A team of scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Informatics in Germany and the University of California at Davis have developed a method for 3D printing pills that can control the rate at which drugs are released. And in February 2023, a hospital in Spain launched a study to test the efficacy, tolerability, and acceptance of a drug produced for children using a 3D printer.
10. Patient empowerment and patient design
What is the difference between patient design and patient centricity? The latter has been the buzzword of the past two decades, however, the only thing it actually meant was “we might think about you when we make decisions”. It kept patients in a passive role, the decisions were made by the traditional stakeholders of the medical ecosystem.
Patient design is a different concept, one that invites patients to be active participants – and stakeholders – at the highest levels of decision-making in healthcare. This is called a “co-design” approach, and is defined as “a creative practice that can be used to improve customer experience and enhance value”. Patient empowerment has been evolving for decades, but information liquidity and access to technology made it explode in this century—and it became visible to the naked eye.
Healthcare carries many concepts that are no longer valid but are ingrained so deeply that we mostly never even stop to think about them. Involving patients in decision-making will help identify these fossils and look at them with fresh eyes.
Food for thought
We are truly living in revolutionary times for healthcare thanks to the advent of digital health. Our mission is to spread the knowledge and developments in healthcare that will usher in the real era of the art of medicine. Join us in this mission by sharing our articles and your thoughts with us!
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are examples of alternative medicine?
Alternative medicine refers to treatments other than those considered by mainstream medicine to be useful for treating disease. These include traditional Chinese medicine.
Alternative medicine may also refer not to scientific evidence but that have been successfully used in clinical practice. You can use meditation, hypnosis and yoga to achieve this.
What is the importance of alternative medicine?
Alternative medicines are more popular than traditional ones because they're usually cheaper and healthier. Many patients have died due to side effects or allergic reactions after using these treatments. It's also possible that certain alternative therapies may not help at all.
If you don’t understand enough about alternative medications, it can make your choice difficult. Vitamin supplements, such as vitamin pills, are not controlled like pharmaceuticals. Therefore, it is possible to overdose. To make matters worse, there are alternative remedies that contain toxic chemicals.
What are the 5 domains in integrative medicine?
Integrative medicine encompasses five domains: mind-body; nutrition; social determinants; lifestyle and prevention. These five areas include all aspects health care including mental, spiritual, as well as environmental well-being.
Integrative medicine provides a comprehensive approach to the treatment of disease, health, and well-being. It includes conventional medical treatments and complementary therapies such as acupuncture, yoga, meditation, massage therapy, herbal medicine, chiropractic care, nutritional counseling, and biofeedback.
Which treatments are not part of holistic medicine and why?
Holistic medicine focuses on the whole person as a healing approach, rather than just the symptoms. It promotes health and prevents disease.
Holistic medicine uses natural remedies, such as herbs, homeopathy and acupuncture, instead of surgery and drugs.
Holistic medicine is a lifestyle change that includes exercise, diet, yoga, meditation, breathing exercises and massage.
Holistic medicine is often called integrative medicine because it integrates all aspects of a patient's physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual needs into one comprehensive care plan.
Holistic medicine emphasizes prevention as well as early detection of diseases and encourages healthy lifestyles.
Holistic doctors believe that there are many causes for any condition. Holistic doctors instead look at the whole person, including genetic factors and environmental influences, lifestyle choices, personal habits, and lifestyle choices.
Holistic practitioners pay more attention to the mind, the emotions, and the spirit than to the body.
Holistic physicians work closely with their patients to determine what will best meet their individual needs.
What are the benefits of complementary and alternative medicine?
People who feel they do not receive enough help from allopathic medicine may use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). These include herbal medicines, mind and body therapies like acupuncture, massage, homeopathy or traditional Chinese medicine. Because they are not compatible with conventional medicine's treatment and diagnosis, CAM practitioners may use alternative treatments. Many CAM therapies can also be integrated with elements of mainstream medicine. Some forms, such as acupuncture with needles, involve heat and moxibustion.
Some CAM treatments can be used to relieve pain, anxiety, stress, relaxation, sleep disorders, or manage stress. They may improve your general well-being as well as reduce fatigue. Some CAM therapies target specific conditions, such fibromyalgia. Other CAM treatments may be just as enjoyable.
There is no single definition of what constitutes CAM; however, most definitions include at least one of the following:
- A holistic perspective that looks at the whole person, including body, mind as well as spirit and environment.
- The belief, that mind and body influence and interact
- It is believed that illness is caused by an imbalance between the environment and the person.
- Focus on the whole person and not just the symptoms.
- Combination of Eastern philosophy with Western science
- Methods that treat mind, body, spirit in a holistic way
- Use of natural products rather than synthetic chemicals
- Touch of healing
- Mindfulness
- Meditation
- Acupuncture
- Yoga
- Herbal remedies
- Homeopathy
- Chiropractic care
- Massage therapy
- Hypnotherapy
- Spiritual healing
- Biofeedback
- Nutritional counseling
- Energy healing
In addition to its potential benefits, there are risks associated with certain CAM therapies. Some therapies can cause serious harm or even death if practiced incorrectly. Others pose potential side effects that must be weighed against their perceived benefits. Before you decide whether or not to use any CAMs, talk with your doctor about these matters.
Who uses holistic medicines?
Holistic medicine treats the whole person and not only specific symptoms. It addresses both the mental as well as physical aspects of well being.
Holistic medicine encompasses acupuncture and massage therapy, chiropractic treatment as well as nutritional counseling, yoga and other complementary therapies.
People who practice holistic medicine include people with cancer, heart issues, diabetes and arthritis.
Is holistic healthcare the same thing as alternative medicine?
Holistic Health Care stands out from Alternative Medicine as it focuses on the whole person and not just the symptoms.
Holistic Health Care examines all aspects a person's health including the mental, emotional, spiritual and occupational factors as well as family factors.
Alternative Medicine doesn’t address these problems. It doesn't address these issues.
Statistics
- The use of alternative medicine in the US has increased, with a 50 percent increase in expenditures and a 25 percent increase in the use of alternative therapies between 1990 and 1997 in America. (en.wikipedia.org)
- According to a 2005 book by a US [116]Institute of Medicine panel, the number of RCTs focused on CAM has risen dramatically. (en.wikipedia.org)
- These studies found that 38.4% concluded positive or possibly positive effects for CAM (12.4%), 4.8% concluded no effect, 0.7% concluded harmful effects, and 56.6% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
- In the 17% in which they disagreed, a third reader agreed with one of the initial readers to set a rating. (en.wikipedia.org)
- According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
External Links
nccih.nih.gov
- Statistics on Complementary Health Approaches and Integrative Healthcare
- How do you name complementary, alternative, or integrative health?
liebertpub.com
doi.org
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- PubMed: The rise and rise in complementary and alternative medicine: A sociological perspective
- PubMed: Holistic Medicine – PubMed
How To
How to get a job in Holistic Medicine
The field holistic medicine is expanding at an unimaginable rate. You have many options for this career path. Returning to school is the best way to go if you're looking to make a career out of this.
There are many schools that offer courses in holistic medicine. One of these schools is the National College for Complementary Medicines, which offers both undergraduate degrees and postgraduate programs. They also have several programs designed specifically for medical professionals who wish to enter the field.
Many online universities also offer holistic health classes. The Institute of Integrative Nutrition is one such program. The institute provides students with a range of holistic health education tools.
Another option is to apply for a traditional 4-year college. Many colleges now offer holistic courses. The University of California even offers a Bachelor of Arts in Holistic Health Sciences.
A nutrition course is recommended if you intend to pursue a career involving holistic medicine. NCCM recommends to students that they study nutrition before embarking upon any professional training. Integrative medicine requires a thorough understanding of nutrition science.
Holistic medicine treats the whole person, not just symptoms. This requires more knowledge and skills than conventional medicine. Holistic medicine requires that people who are interested in it understand how to assess different types of illnesses from a nutritional perspective.
According to the NCCM, nutritionists often collaborate with doctors to offer dietary advice to patients. Some will even suggest supplements or diets based on the patient's specific condition.
The fundamental principles of nutrition are essential for holistic practitioners. This includes understanding what foods are healthy and which ones are not. It includes diagnosing nutritional deficiencies and other problems.
It is important to remember that holistic practitioners do not specialize in nutrition. Some are primarily focused on herbal treatments while others rely solely upon acupuncture. Some combine the two methods into one.
Holistic practitioners, however, recommend eating a diet rich with fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. They also emphasize eating plenty of fish and seafood. They discourage the consumption of processed food products and fast-food restaurants. Instead, they recommend eating organic produce whenever possible.
A balanced diet is a key factor in preventing disease, which holistic practitioners all agree on. There are however some things they disagree on. They disagree with the belief that gluten causes celiac. They believe that the disorder is caused by a deficiency of nutrients.
However, they agree that allergic reactions can be triggered by certain foods. Anaphylaxis is caused by shellfish and peanuts, according to them. They also caution against excessive caffeine intake.
While many holistic practitioners use herbs to treat various illnesses, they avoid using pharmaceutical drugs. Because such drugs are not effective in solving the problem but only mask it, holistic practitioners avoid using them. Therefore, natural remedies are preferred.
Holistic practitioners offer a range of alternative therapies and often employ complementary methods. These include:
- Acupuncture – In Chinese medicine, acupuncture involves strategically inserting needles into the skin. It is believed that this stimulates our body's healing ability.
- Herbal therapy – This is a form of acupuncture that holistic practitioners also use to treat different disorders. Ginseng is an example of a common herb that is used for this purpose.
- Homeopathy – Another type of traditional Chinese medicine is homeopathy. It's based on similar cures. You might experience a similar symptom when you are suffering from the same condition as someone else. In this case, you will need to search for a remedy which contains the same ingredients as the original substance.
- Massage therapy – Many holistic practitioners offer massage therapy in order to promote relaxation, stress reduction, and stress relief. They claim that massage therapy can improve blood circulation and energy levels as well as ease muscle tension.
You need to ensure that your needs are met when selecting a practitioner. A nutritionist who has a degree will be able to provide nutritional counseling. If you are interested in learning more about acupuncture and the American Association of Oriental Medicine, (AAOM), certification is available.
Ask your doctor if you have questions about holistic health care before making any decision. To find out what services your insurance covers, you might also want to consult with your doctor.
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This blog is a source of general information and discussion on health and related topics. Information and materials on this blog, on the website, or in any of the connected materials are not intended to replace or used as a substitute for the advice of a medical professional, diagnosis, or treatment. This blog does not represent the application of any nursing, medical or other health professional advice or diagnosis. We are unable to diagnose health conditions, offer second opinions or provide specific treatment recommendations via this blog or on our website.
If you or another person is suffering from a medical issue and you are concerned, consult your doctor or seek out other medical professional treatment as soon as possible. Do not disregard medical advice from a professional or delay seeking it due to information you seen on the blog or website or in any of the linked materials. If you're experiencing an emergency medical situation, dial 911 or seek emergency medical assistance on the closest phone immediately.
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By: berci.mesko
Title: 10 Ways Technology is Changing Healthcare
Sourced From: medicalfuturist.com/ten-ways-technology-changing-healthcare
Published Date: Thu, 07 Sep 2023 08:00:00 +0000
Frequently Asked Questions
What are examples of alternative medicine?
Alternative medicine refers to treatments other than those considered by mainstream medicine to be useful for treating disease. These include traditional Chinese medicine.
Alternative medicine may also refer not to scientific evidence but that have been successfully used in clinical practice. You can use meditation, hypnosis and yoga to achieve this.
What is the importance of alternative medicine?
Alternative medicines are more popular than traditional ones because they're usually cheaper and healthier. Many patients have died due to side effects or allergic reactions after using these treatments. It's also possible that certain alternative therapies may not help at all.
If you don’t understand enough about alternative medications, it can make your choice difficult. Vitamin supplements, such as vitamin pills, are not controlled like pharmaceuticals. Therefore, it is possible to overdose. To make matters worse, there are alternative remedies that contain toxic chemicals.
What are the 5 domains in integrative medicine?
Integrative medicine encompasses five domains: mind-body; nutrition; social determinants; lifestyle and prevention. These five areas include all aspects health care including mental, spiritual, as well as environmental well-being.
Integrative medicine provides a comprehensive approach to the treatment of disease, health, and well-being. It includes conventional medical treatments and complementary therapies such as acupuncture, yoga, meditation, massage therapy, herbal medicine, chiropractic care, nutritional counseling, and biofeedback.
Which treatments are not part of holistic medicine and why?
Holistic medicine focuses on the whole person as a healing approach, rather than just the symptoms. It promotes health and prevents disease.
Holistic medicine uses natural remedies, such as herbs, homeopathy and acupuncture, instead of surgery and drugs.
Holistic medicine is a lifestyle change that includes exercise, diet, yoga, meditation, breathing exercises and massage.
Holistic medicine is often called integrative medicine because it integrates all aspects of a patient's physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual needs into one comprehensive care plan.
Holistic medicine emphasizes prevention as well as early detection of diseases and encourages healthy lifestyles.
Holistic doctors believe that there are many causes for any condition. Holistic doctors instead look at the whole person, including genetic factors and environmental influences, lifestyle choices, personal habits, and lifestyle choices.
Holistic practitioners pay more attention to the mind, the emotions, and the spirit than to the body.
Holistic physicians work closely with their patients to determine what will best meet their individual needs.
What are the benefits of complementary and alternative medicine?
People who feel they do not receive enough help from allopathic medicine may use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). These include herbal medicines, mind and body therapies like acupuncture, massage, homeopathy or traditional Chinese medicine. Because they are not compatible with conventional medicine's treatment and diagnosis, CAM practitioners may use alternative treatments. Many CAM therapies can also be integrated with elements of mainstream medicine. Some forms, such as acupuncture with needles, involve heat and moxibustion.
Some CAM treatments can be used to relieve pain, anxiety, stress, relaxation, sleep disorders, or manage stress. They may improve your general well-being as well as reduce fatigue. Some CAM therapies target specific conditions, such fibromyalgia. Other CAM treatments may be just as enjoyable.
There is no single definition of what constitutes CAM; however, most definitions include at least one of the following:
- A holistic perspective that looks at the whole person, including body, mind as well as spirit and environment.
- The belief, that mind and body influence and interact
- It is believed that illness is caused by an imbalance between the environment and the person.
- Focus on the whole person and not just the symptoms.
- Combination of Eastern philosophy with Western science
- Methods that treat mind, body, spirit in a holistic way
- Use of natural products rather than synthetic chemicals
- Touch of healing
- Mindfulness
- Meditation
- Acupuncture
- Yoga
- Herbal remedies
- Homeopathy
- Chiropractic care
- Massage therapy
- Hypnotherapy
- Spiritual healing
- Biofeedback
- Nutritional counseling
- Energy healing
In addition to its potential benefits, there are risks associated with certain CAM therapies. Some therapies can cause serious harm or even death if practiced incorrectly. Others pose potential side effects that must be weighed against their perceived benefits. Before you decide whether or not to use any CAMs, talk with your doctor about these matters.
Who uses holistic medicines?
Holistic medicine treats the whole person and not only specific symptoms. It addresses both the mental as well as physical aspects of well being.
Holistic medicine encompasses acupuncture and massage therapy, chiropractic treatment as well as nutritional counseling, yoga and other complementary therapies.
People who practice holistic medicine include people with cancer, heart issues, diabetes and arthritis.
Is holistic healthcare the same thing as alternative medicine?
Holistic Health Care stands out from Alternative Medicine as it focuses on the whole person and not just the symptoms.
Holistic Health Care examines all aspects a person's health including the mental, emotional, spiritual and occupational factors as well as family factors.
Alternative Medicine doesn’t address these problems. It doesn't address these issues.
Statistics
- The use of alternative medicine in the US has increased, with a 50 percent increase in expenditures and a 25 percent increase in the use of alternative therapies between 1990 and 1997 in America. (en.wikipedia.org)
- According to a 2005 book by a US [116]Institute of Medicine panel, the number of RCTs focused on CAM has risen dramatically. (en.wikipedia.org)
- These studies found that 38.4% concluded positive or possibly positive effects for CAM (12.4%), 4.8% concluded no effect, 0.7% concluded harmful effects, and 56.6% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
- In the 17% in which they disagreed, a third reader agreed with one of the initial readers to set a rating. (en.wikipedia.org)
- According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
External Links
nccih.nih.gov
- Statistics on Complementary Health Approaches and Integrative Healthcare
- How do you name complementary, alternative, or integrative health?
liebertpub.com
doi.org
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- PubMed: The rise and rise in complementary and alternative medicine: A sociological perspective
- PubMed: Holistic Medicine – PubMed
How To
How to get a job in Holistic Medicine
The field holistic medicine is expanding at an unimaginable rate. You have many options for this career path. Returning to school is the best way to go if you're looking to make a career out of this.
There are many schools that offer courses in holistic medicine. One of these schools is the National College for Complementary Medicines, which offers both undergraduate degrees and postgraduate programs. They also have several programs designed specifically for medical professionals who wish to enter the field.
Many online universities also offer holistic health classes. The Institute of Integrative Nutrition is one such program. The institute provides students with a range of holistic health education tools.
Another option is to apply for a traditional 4-year college. Many colleges now offer holistic courses. The University of California even offers a Bachelor of Arts in Holistic Health Sciences.
A nutrition course is recommended if you intend to pursue a career involving holistic medicine. NCCM recommends to students that they study nutrition before embarking upon any professional training. Integrative medicine requires a thorough understanding of nutrition science.
Holistic medicine treats the whole person, not just symptoms. This requires more knowledge and skills than conventional medicine. Holistic medicine requires that people who are interested in it understand how to assess different types of illnesses from a nutritional perspective.
According to the NCCM, nutritionists often collaborate with doctors to offer dietary advice to patients. Some will even suggest supplements or diets based on the patient's specific condition.
The fundamental principles of nutrition are essential for holistic practitioners. This includes understanding what foods are healthy and which ones are not. It includes diagnosing nutritional deficiencies and other problems.
It is important to remember that holistic practitioners do not specialize in nutrition. Some are primarily focused on herbal treatments while others rely solely upon acupuncture. Some combine the two methods into one.
Holistic practitioners, however, recommend eating a diet rich with fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. They also emphasize eating plenty of fish and seafood. They discourage the consumption of processed food products and fast-food restaurants. Instead, they recommend eating organic produce whenever possible.
A balanced diet is a key factor in preventing disease, which holistic practitioners all agree on. There are however some things they disagree on. They disagree with the belief that gluten causes celiac. They believe that the disorder is caused by a deficiency of nutrients.
However, they agree that allergic reactions can be triggered by certain foods. Anaphylaxis is caused by shellfish and peanuts, according to them. They also caution against excessive caffeine intake.
While many holistic practitioners use herbs to treat various illnesses, they avoid using pharmaceutical drugs. Because such drugs are not effective in solving the problem but only mask it, holistic practitioners avoid using them. Therefore, natural remedies are preferred.
Holistic practitioners offer a range of alternative therapies and often employ complementary methods. These include:
- Acupuncture – In Chinese medicine, acupuncture involves strategically inserting needles into the skin. It is believed that this stimulates our body's healing ability.
- Herbal therapy – This is a form of acupuncture that holistic practitioners also use to treat different disorders. Ginseng is an example of a common herb that is used for this purpose.
- Homeopathy – Another type of traditional Chinese medicine is homeopathy. It's based on similar cures. You might experience a similar symptom when you are suffering from the same condition as someone else. In this case, you will need to search for a remedy which contains the same ingredients as the original substance.
- Massage therapy – Many holistic practitioners offer massage therapy in order to promote relaxation, stress reduction, and stress relief. They claim that massage therapy can improve blood circulation and energy levels as well as ease muscle tension.
You need to ensure that your needs are met when selecting a practitioner. A nutritionist who has a degree will be able to provide nutritional counseling. If you are interested in learning more about acupuncture and the American Association of Oriental Medicine, (AAOM), certification is available.
Ask your doctor if you have questions about holistic health care before making any decision. To find out what services your insurance covers, you might also want to consult with your doctor.
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