Despite the ongoing journey ahead, the prevailing thought is catching up to the notion that 85-90% of medical issues stem from or are worsened by psychological trauma, impacting us all to varying extents. Modern science now comprehends how trauma affects our nervous systems, immune systems, hormonal systems, inflammatory responses, and even our DNA expression, leading to challenging medical conditions.
The Body as a Storehouse of Trauma
It is now evident that the body serves as a container for trauma, with its symptoms often unveiling the hidden secrets or buried memories we carry. But what if our bodies aren’t just passive receptacles that hold onto our pain? What if they are, in fact, our strongest allies? What if the key lies not in keeping score, bearing burdens, or carrying the weight of our stories, but in viewing our bodies as gateways to inner realms that can unveil profound mysteries, offering paths to not just symptom alleviation but also unexpected healing, self-compassion, behavioral shifts, relational restoration, community well-being, and even unconditional love?
Healing vs. Curing
As we gear up to instruct on utilizing the Internal Family Systems model for medical purposes, the distinction between healing and curing has been a focal point. In conventional medical training, the emphasis typically revolves around achieving a cure rather than healing. While being cured means being rid of diseases or symptoms, being healed signifies a restoration to wholeness that transcends the physical but also encompasses it. Healing doesn’t always guarantee a cure, yet sometimes, healing paves the way for recovery.
The Significance of Healing Trauma
Understanding the link between psychological trauma and medical ailments underscores the importance of differentiating between healing trauma and curing diseases. Treating trauma doesn’t guarantee a cure, as cutting-edge trauma therapies like IFS primarily focus on healing trauma, which, in turn, can potentially reverse chronic nervous system dysregulation and alleviate medical symptoms. Healing first may lead to a cure, but it’s not a definite outcome.
Embracing a Healing Journey
Many testimonies exist of individuals experiencing radical recoveries from so-called incurable diseases by delving into deep trauma healing and shadow work. These stories highlight the transformative power of psychological and spiritual self-help practices in altering personalities, fostering healing, and, at times, even welcoming illnesses as catalysts for profound personal growth.
Taking Responsibility for Healing
The core belief lies in acknowledging that while a disease isn’t one’s fault, healing remains a personal responsibility. Opting for a healing journey necessitates a conscious choice to confront buried traumas, embrace discomfort, and embark on a path toward self-discovery and transformation. It’s crucial to recognize the agency individuals hold in deciding their healing course, respecting their boundaries, and honoring their right to make autonomous choices in their health journey.
Empowering Health Choices
Encouraging individuals to actively engage in their recovery by exploring trauma-informed therapies and self-help tools can yield more favorable health outcomes than solely adhering to standard medical directives. By integrating comprehensive, trauma-informed approaches, individuals may unlock the potential for enhanced well-being and healing beyond conventional medical paradigms.
By comprehending how trauma influences our physiology and cellular functioning, we can leverage tools like IFS to navigate the healing process, allowing symptoms and diseases to serve as gateways to profound emotional and spiritual healing. Embracing practices that address trauma at its core may lead to the resolution of ailments and the restoration of holistic well-being.
Join us to delve deeper into the transformative potential of trauma-informed healing approaches in our upcoming session on IFS As Medical Treatment. We look forward to welcoming you as we explore the pathways to healing and well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does holistic mean?
Holistic means whole-based. It means looking at the whole picture rather than just part of it. This can be difficult because we have become accustomed to seeing things in their entirety.
Our default mentality is to see things in black and white. In reality, there are infinite shades of grey.
Try to look at everything from different perspectives when you work on a project. You should look at it from all sides.
Consider how the whole thing fits together. Is there a way for its elements to interact?
If you find a problem in your situation, take the time to ask why. Make sure to take into account the impact of every change you make.
Is holistic medication legal?
The answer is both yes and no. Yes. Many medicines have been shown to be effective against different ailments. No, because they don’t cure everything. It depends on what you mean by “holistic.” It all depends on your definition of “holistic.” If you mean taking into consideration all aspects of a person’s health, then it is true. But if you only mean using natural remedies instead of chemical ones, then it is not.
Some believe that holistic medicine is a newer form of medicine. This is false. Even though some healers from ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome and other countries used natural remedies, this was without any scientific knowledge.
It was not until the Middle Ages when medical practitioners began to study anatomy & physiology. This led directly to the development surgery, obstetrics, pharmacology, and a host of other medical specialties. In the 19th Century, almost all Western countries had public hospitals that could be used by trained doctors to provide medical care.
Today, traditional medicine is the predominant form of healthcare. However, many still prefer to use alternative and complementary medicine. Many people find that it is more beneficial than taking pharmaceutical drugs.
Some people find that they feel more relaxed when receiving massage therapy than tranquilizers. Some people enjoy healthy eating and avoid prescription medications. Some people find that exercising regularly is beneficial for their bodies.
Why is alternative medicine important?
Alternative medicines are very popular because they’re often cheaper and better for you than traditional treatments. There have been cases in which patients have died from side effects, such as allergic reactions, after receiving these treatments. Alternative therapies might also be available.
Alternate medicines can be dangerous, especially if you don’t know enough to choose the best ones. Vitamin supplements, for example, are not regulated like pharmaceuticals. It is easy to overdose on vitamins. Other remedies, however, can be toxic.
What are the 5 domains of integrative medicine?
Integrative medicine encompasses five domains: mind-body; nutrition; social determinants; lifestyle and prevention. These five areas are concerned with all aspects, including the physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Integrative medicine offers a comprehensive approach for addressing your overall health, well-being, and treatment of diseases. It can include conventional medical treatments, as well as complementary therapies, such as acupuncture or yoga, meditation, massage therapy and herbal medicine.
What is complementary medicine?
Complementary Medicine is an umbrella term for any medical treatment that complements mainstream medicine. This covers treatments such as acupuncture (aromatherapy), chiropractic care, homeopathy and hypnosis.
Complementary medicines are not used instead of conventional medicine but rather alongside it. Because they combine Western scientific methods with other proven healing methods, they are sometimes called “alternative” and “integrative medicine.”
What does a holistic medicine doctor do?
A holistic doctor is one who treats patients holistically. They may incorporate western medicine into their treatment, as well as traditional methods such acupuncture or herbs.
They are not interested in treating symptoms but rather a disease. After treatment, the patient should feel better.
The doctor should not only treat the disease, but also prevent it from happening again.
The term holistic refers to a person who considers all aspects in their life.
Why do people with cancer use alternative methods?
Patients with cancer face many difficulties when trying to manage their illness. Patients may feel hopeless or helpless, and might lose all hope of recovery. Patients might experience nausea, pain or fatigue, as well as loss of strength and appetite.
A majority of conventional treatments are ineffective against cancer cells. Many cancer patients turn to complementary medicine for treatment. A majority of cancer patients will use alternative medications at least once during treatment according to research.
Sometimes, cancer patients will choose complementary medicine to chemotherapy. This is because they believe it will be easier and more effective in managing side effects. It may be because it’s less expensive.
The following are other reasons:
Some patients believe natural remedies can prevent a recurrence.
Many people believe natural remedies can improve their quality of living.
Others believe natural remedies could reduce your chance of developing cancer.
Natural remedies are first-line therapy for those who are concerned about side effects from chemotherapy.
Statistics
- A 15-year systematic review published in 2022 on the global acceptance and use of CAM among medical specialists found the overall acceptance of CAM at 52% and the overall use at 45%. (en.wikipedia.org)
- According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
- An assessment of conventional treatments found that 41.3% concluded positive or possibly positive effects, 20% concluded no effect, 8.1% concluded net harmful effects, and 21.3% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
- In 83% of the cases, the readers agreed. (en.wikipedia.org)
- 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)
External Links
nccih.nih.gov
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- PubMed: The Rise and Rise of Complementary and Alternative Medicine: A Sociological Perspective – PubMed
- PubMed: Holistic medicine – PubMed
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- BIOFEEDBACK TRAINING, TENSION-TYPEHEADACHE – PubMed
- PubMed: Randomized controlled trial examining the effects of foot reflexology on hospital anxiety and depression in female older adults.
liebertpub.com
How To
How to make a career in Holistic Medicine
The field, known as holistic medicine, is growing at an unparalleled 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.
Many schools offer holistic medicine courses. 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 classes in holistic health. One such program is the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. The Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN) provides holistic education resources and tools for students.
Another option is to attend a traditional four year college. Many colleges now offer courses in holistic health. For example, the University of California has a Bachelor’s Degree in Holistic Health Sciences.
If you plan on pursuing a career in holistic medicine, you should consider taking a course in nutrition. NCCM recommends that students take a course in nutrition before they begin any professional training. A good knowledge of nutrition is crucial for integrative medicine.
Holistic medicine is more holistic than traditional medicine because it focuses on the whole person and not just symptoms. It requires more skill and knowledge. Because of this, those interested in holistic medicine need to understand how to evaluate different types of illness from a nutritional perspective.
According to the NCCM nutritionists often work alongside doctors to give dietary advice to their patients. Some may even recommend diets or supplements that are specific to the patient’s needs based on their assessment.
As a result, holistic practitioners must have a firm grasp of basic nutrition principles. This includes knowing which foods are healthy, and which are not. It also means identifying nutrient deficiencies and other problems that may be causing them.
It is important that holistic practitioners are not all trained in nutrition. Some focus mainly on herbal treatments, while others concentrate solely on acupuncture. Some people combine these two approaches into a single treatment.
Most holistic practitioners advocate a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables and nuts. They recommend eating lots of seafood and fish. They suggest avoiding processed foods and fast food restaurants. Instead, they encourage people to eat organic produce whenever possible.
One thing holistic practitioners agree on is that a healthy diet will prevent disease. However, they do have differences on some points. For example, they do not believe that gluten causes celiac. Instead, they believe that a lack in nutrients is responsible for the disorder’s onset.
However, they agree that allergic reactions can be triggered by certain foods. Anaphylaxis is caused by shellfish and peanuts, according to them. They also warn against consuming too much caffeine.
While many holistic practitioners use herbs to treat various illnesses, they avoid using pharmaceutical drugs. These practitioners feel that these drugs mask the problem and do not solve it. This is why they prefer to rely upon natural remedies whenever possible.
Holistic practitioners are not only able to offer alternative therapies but also employ many complementary methods. These include:
- Acupuncture – In Chinese medicine, this involves strategically inserting needles under the skin. It is believed that this stimulates our body’s healing ability.
- Herbal therapy – In addition to acupuncture, holistic practitioners commonly use herbs to treat various disorders. Ginseng is an example of a common herb that is used for this purpose.
- Homeopathy – A type of traditional Chinese medicine that is based upon the principle that similar cures work, homeopathy. Imagine that you have a similar symptom to someone who has the same ailment. In that case, you should seek a remedy that contains the same ingredients found in the original substance.
- Massage therapy – Many holistic practitioners offer massage to promote relaxation and stress reduction. They claim that massage therapy can improve blood circulation and energy levels as well as ease muscle tension.
Make sure you are satisfied with the services provided by your chosen practitioner. For example, a practitioner who specializes in nutrition counseling is a good choice. The American Association of Oriental Medicine (AAOM) has a certification program that allows you to learn more about acupuncture.
Before you make any decisions regarding holistic healthcare, talk to your doctor. 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: Karoline
Title: The Healing Power of Addressing Psychological Trauma for Medical Conditions
Sourced From: lissarankin.com/the-difference-between-healing-curing/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-difference-between-healing-curing
Published Date: Tue, 21 May 2024 03:35:55 +0000
Frequently Asked Questions
What does holistic mean?
Holistic means whole-based. It means looking at the whole picture rather than just part of it. This can be difficult because we have become accustomed to seeing things in their entirety.
Our default mentality is to see things in black and white. In reality, there are infinite shades of grey.
Try to look at everything from different perspectives when you work on a project. You should look at it from all sides.
Consider how the whole thing fits together. Is there a way for its elements to interact?
If you find a problem in your situation, take the time to ask why. Make sure to take into account the impact of every change you make.
Is holistic medication legal?
The answer is both yes and no. Yes. Many medicines have been shown to be effective against different ailments. No, because they don’t cure everything. It depends on what you mean by “holistic.” It all depends on your definition of “holistic.” If you mean taking into consideration all aspects of a person’s health, then it is true. But if you only mean using natural remedies instead of chemical ones, then it is not.
Some believe that holistic medicine is a newer form of medicine. This is false. Even though some healers from ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome and other countries used natural remedies, this was without any scientific knowledge.
It was not until the Middle Ages when medical practitioners began to study anatomy & physiology. This led directly to the development surgery, obstetrics, pharmacology, and a host of other medical specialties. In the 19th Century, almost all Western countries had public hospitals that could be used by trained doctors to provide medical care.
Today, traditional medicine is the predominant form of healthcare. However, many still prefer to use alternative and complementary medicine. Many people find that it is more beneficial than taking pharmaceutical drugs.
Some people find that they feel more relaxed when receiving massage therapy than tranquilizers. Some people enjoy healthy eating and avoid prescription medications. Some people find that exercising regularly is beneficial for their bodies.
Why is alternative medicine important?
Alternative medicines are very popular because they’re often cheaper and better for you than traditional treatments. There have been cases in which patients have died from side effects, such as allergic reactions, after receiving these treatments. Alternative therapies might also be available.
Alternate medicines can be dangerous, especially if you don’t know enough to choose the best ones. Vitamin supplements, for example, are not regulated like pharmaceuticals. It is easy to overdose on vitamins. Other remedies, however, can be toxic.
What are the 5 domains of integrative medicine?
Integrative medicine encompasses five domains: mind-body; nutrition; social determinants; lifestyle and prevention. These five areas are concerned with all aspects, including the physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Integrative medicine offers a comprehensive approach for addressing your overall health, well-being, and treatment of diseases. It can include conventional medical treatments, as well as complementary therapies, such as acupuncture or yoga, meditation, massage therapy and herbal medicine.
What is complementary medicine?
Complementary Medicine is an umbrella term for any medical treatment that complements mainstream medicine. This covers treatments such as acupuncture (aromatherapy), chiropractic care, homeopathy and hypnosis.
Complementary medicines are not used instead of conventional medicine but rather alongside it. Because they combine Western scientific methods with other proven healing methods, they are sometimes called “alternative” and “integrative medicine.”
What does a holistic medicine doctor do?
A holistic doctor is one who treats patients holistically. They may incorporate western medicine into their treatment, as well as traditional methods such acupuncture or herbs.
They are not interested in treating symptoms but rather a disease. After treatment, the patient should feel better.
The doctor should not only treat the disease, but also prevent it from happening again.
The term holistic refers to a person who considers all aspects in their life.
Why do people with cancer use alternative methods?
Patients with cancer face many difficulties when trying to manage their illness. Patients may feel hopeless or helpless, and might lose all hope of recovery. Patients might experience nausea, pain or fatigue, as well as loss of strength and appetite.
A majority of conventional treatments are ineffective against cancer cells. Many cancer patients turn to complementary medicine for treatment. A majority of cancer patients will use alternative medications at least once during treatment according to research.
Sometimes, cancer patients will choose complementary medicine to chemotherapy. This is because they believe it will be easier and more effective in managing side effects. It may be because it’s less expensive.
The following are other reasons:
Some patients believe natural remedies can prevent a recurrence.
Many people believe natural remedies can improve their quality of living.
Others believe natural remedies could reduce your chance of developing cancer.
Natural remedies are first-line therapy for those who are concerned about side effects from chemotherapy.
Statistics
- A 15-year systematic review published in 2022 on the global acceptance and use of CAM among medical specialists found the overall acceptance of CAM at 52% and the overall use at 45%. (en.wikipedia.org)
- According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
- An assessment of conventional treatments found that 41.3% concluded positive or possibly positive effects, 20% concluded no effect, 8.1% concluded net harmful effects, and 21.3% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
- In 83% of the cases, the readers agreed. (en.wikipedia.org)
- 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)
External Links
nccih.nih.gov
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- PubMed: The Rise and Rise of Complementary and Alternative Medicine: A Sociological Perspective – PubMed
- PubMed: Holistic medicine – PubMed
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- BIOFEEDBACK TRAINING, TENSION-TYPEHEADACHE – PubMed
- PubMed: Randomized controlled trial examining the effects of foot reflexology on hospital anxiety and depression in female older adults.
liebertpub.com
How To
How to make a career in Holistic Medicine
The field, known as holistic medicine, is growing at an unparalleled 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.
Many schools offer holistic medicine courses. 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 classes in holistic health. One such program is the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. The Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN) provides holistic education resources and tools for students.
Another option is to attend a traditional four year college. Many colleges now offer courses in holistic health. For example, the University of California has a Bachelor’s Degree in Holistic Health Sciences.
If you plan on pursuing a career in holistic medicine, you should consider taking a course in nutrition. NCCM recommends that students take a course in nutrition before they begin any professional training. A good knowledge of nutrition is crucial for integrative medicine.
Holistic medicine is more holistic than traditional medicine because it focuses on the whole person and not just symptoms. It requires more skill and knowledge. Because of this, those interested in holistic medicine need to understand how to evaluate different types of illness from a nutritional perspective.
According to the NCCM nutritionists often work alongside doctors to give dietary advice to their patients. Some may even recommend diets or supplements that are specific to the patient’s needs based on their assessment.
As a result, holistic practitioners must have a firm grasp of basic nutrition principles. This includes knowing which foods are healthy, and which are not. It also means identifying nutrient deficiencies and other problems that may be causing them.
It is important that holistic practitioners are not all trained in nutrition. Some focus mainly on herbal treatments, while others concentrate solely on acupuncture. Some people combine these two approaches into a single treatment.
Most holistic practitioners advocate a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables and nuts. They recommend eating lots of seafood and fish. They suggest avoiding processed foods and fast food restaurants. Instead, they encourage people to eat organic produce whenever possible.
One thing holistic practitioners agree on is that a healthy diet will prevent disease. However, they do have differences on some points. For example, they do not believe that gluten causes celiac. Instead, they believe that a lack in nutrients is responsible for the disorder’s onset.
However, they agree that allergic reactions can be triggered by certain foods. Anaphylaxis is caused by shellfish and peanuts, according to them. They also warn against consuming too much caffeine.
While many holistic practitioners use herbs to treat various illnesses, they avoid using pharmaceutical drugs. These practitioners feel that these drugs mask the problem and do not solve it. This is why they prefer to rely upon natural remedies whenever possible.
Holistic practitioners are not only able to offer alternative therapies but also employ many complementary methods. These include:
- Acupuncture – In Chinese medicine, this involves strategically inserting needles under the skin. It is believed that this stimulates our body’s healing ability.
- Herbal therapy – In addition to acupuncture, holistic practitioners commonly use herbs to treat various disorders. Ginseng is an example of a common herb that is used for this purpose.
- Homeopathy – A type of traditional Chinese medicine that is based upon the principle that similar cures work, homeopathy. Imagine that you have a similar symptom to someone who has the same ailment. In that case, you should seek a remedy that contains the same ingredients found in the original substance.
- Massage therapy – Many holistic practitioners offer massage to promote relaxation and stress reduction. They claim that massage therapy can improve blood circulation and energy levels as well as ease muscle tension.
Make sure you are satisfied with the services provided by your chosen practitioner. For example, a practitioner who specializes in nutrition counseling is a good choice. The American Association of Oriental Medicine (AAOM) has a certification program that allows you to learn more about acupuncture.
Before you make any decisions regarding holistic healthcare, talk to your doctor. To find out what services your insurance covers, you might also want to consult with your doctor.
