THE CONCEPT OF HOLISM
Holism means All, Entire or Total. The holistic view stresses that health be viewed from the perspective that humans, as any other living organism, function as complete, integrated units rather than as aggregates of separate or disjointed parts. Consequently, the properties of any given system cannot be defined or explained by the sum of its component parts alone. Rather, the system as a whole determines how the parts behave.
The holistic approach focuses on the causes. In fact, when symptoms develop, it is often long after the causes of the symptoms occurred. The holistic approach in medicine advances that there is more to health than mere symptomatic disease management. Physical health cannot be dissociated from the mental, emotional and spiritual states. The body, mind and spirit are closely interrelated.
Holistic medicine means taking into consideration all facets of the whole person, in the prevention and management of disease. One has to consider the patient physically, psychologically, socially and spiritually. It is rightly believed that there is a relation between physical health and overall ‘well-being’. Well-being is a result not only of our physical state in terms of health or disease, but also on its relation with our psychological, emotional, social, spiritual and environmental state. These different aspects should be considered in treating a person truly as a ‘whole’.
Modern medical practices focus more on treating symptoms and syndromes. However, an increasing number of physicians are advocating a holistic approach to health care, emphasizing prevention as well as natural treatment. A holistic approach means that the doctor seeks information about a patient’s whole background. Maintaining good health should not be limited to taking care of the various singular components that make up the physical body. Other aspects such as emotional and spiritual well-being have to be considered.
Holistic medicine not only treats symptoms but it also looks for any underlying causes of these symptoms. It emphasizes the need to include analysis of physical, nutritional, environmental, emotional, social, spiritual and lifestyle factors.
In truth, medicine was always meant to be ‘holistic’. Even the World Health Organization defines health as follows: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. A holistic approach is considered good practice and has been strongly advocated, among others, by the Royal College of General Practitioners for many years.
Holistic therapies have been prevalent from time immemorial. In India, Ayurveda, the ‘science of life’ has been practiced for more than 7,000 years. In Ayurveda, wellness and disease are considered to be opposite forces where wellness holds disease in balance. One should strive on achieving balance and harmony of body, mind and spirit to maintain health and keep disease away.
The Chinese developed acupuncture some 4,000 years ago and herbal remedies were also common there. North American Indians also had recourse to herbal medicine. Several ancient western healing traditions were involved in holistic medicine. Hippocrates recognized the body’s ability to heal itself and cautioned doctors to do their part and wherever possible to allow natural healing follow its own course. Socrates promoted a holistic approach to health. Plato advised doctors to respect the relationship between mind and body.
Holistic medicine focuses on how the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual elements of the body are interconnected to maintain health. Our body responds to the way we think. Mental conditions affect the body. When one part of the body or mind is not working properly, it has been noticed that the whole person is affected. Holistic approaches focus on the whole person rather than just on the illness or part of the body that is not healthy.
Disease and dysfunction result from a disturbance of the body’s harmony and integration. To restore the health of the patient one should seek to restore this lost harmony and wholeness and bring back balance or homeostasis.