|
Other common name(s): holistic health, holistic care, wholistic health, holism
Scientific/medical name(s): none
Description
Holistic medicine focuses on how the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual elements of the body are interconnected to maintain wellness (holistic health). When one part of the body or mind is not working properly, it is believed to affect the whole person. Holistic approaches focus on the whole person rather than just on the illness or part of the body that is not healthy.
Overview
Available scientific evidence does not support claims that holistic medicine, when used without mainstream or conventional medicine, is effective in treating cancer or any other disease. However, many health professionals promote healthy lifestyle habits such as exercising, eating a nutritious diet, not smoking, and managing stress as important in maintaining good health. Holistic methods are becoming more common in mainstream care, and may be used as complementary therapy or preventive care.
In mainstream medicine, a holistic approach generally means a more inclusive approach to a person's health, one that includes the patient's social and cultural situation as well as her or his illness. This term is used by doctors to reflect a new focus on a person's health (to include prevention, rehabilitation, and other approaches) rather than on illness alone. Nurses, for example, may speak of the "biopsychosocial sphere" of a patient. This means that a person's health includes the mind, body, and spirit, as well as the surrounding culture and environment. This can include family situation, housing, employment, insurance, and more, since these all impact the patient and her or his health. If all these factors are taken into account when a person is treated for cancer, it may make treatment easier and improve chances of success.
How is it promoted for use?
Holistic medicine approaches health and disease from several angles and suggests that a person should not only treat the illness but his or her whole self to reach a higher level of wellness. For example, practitioners may treat cancer by changing diet and behavior, adding social support groups, and counseling. Others may suggest taking botanical supplements and using complementary therapies
(see Art Therapy,
Hypnosis,
Imagery,
Meditation,
Psychotherapy,
Spirituality and Prayer,
Yoga ).
These approaches can be used along with conventional medicine such as chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy. Combining these different methods can help a person take control of their situation and attain a feeling of total wellness--spiritually, physically, and mentally.
Some holistic medicine supporters claim, however, that conventional medicine does not work and that only the holistic approach to cancer and other diseases is effective. They may offer a "cure" based on individual stories of success or personal experience (anecdotal reports), which are very hard to prove. Some of the different kinds of cancer which they claim can be cured by holistic methods include bone, breast, tongue, liver, lung, throat, skin, testicle, prostate, ovarian, uterus, stomach, intestinal, colon, brain, pancreatic, spleen, kidney, and bladder, as well as leukemia, lymphoma, and melanoma.
What does it involve?
The field of holistic medicine is very diverse and broad. Some providers define holistic oncology as care that includes emotional and spiritual aspects, while others focus on these aspects to the exclusion of the physical. There are many different techniques and approaches in holistic medicine, depending on the practitioner, the person, and the illness. All, however, stress the use of treatments that encourage the body's natural healing system and take into account the person as a whole.
Holistic medicine can involve the use of conventional and alternative therapies but focuses mostly on lifestyle changes. A holistic approach to stomach cancer might include reducing sodium intake, increasing intake of antioxidants through food or vitamins, eliminating Helicobacter pylori (a bacteria in the stomach), quitting smoking, improving oral hygiene, avoiding foods that contain genotoxic agents, and increasing the amount of vegetables and fruits consumed.
Holistic medicine can also include natural supplements that cause the same changes as conventional drugs. For instance, synthetic interferon is currently used to treat people with cancer. A holistic approach might be to take high doses of intravenous vitamin C instead, in an attempt to stimulate the body's production of its own interferon.
The American Holistic Association says that healthy lifestyle habits will improve a person's energy and vitality. Those habits might include exercising, eating a nutritious diet, getting enough sleep, learning how to breathe properly, taking antioxidants and supplements, acupuncture, acupressure, healing touch, craniosacral therapy, yoga, qigong, and other methods.
What is the history behind it?
Holistic medicine has its roots in several ancient healing traditions that stress healthy living and being in harmony with nature. Socrates promoted a holistic approach. Plato was another advocate of holism, advising doctors to respect the relationship between mind and body. Hippocrates, emphasized the body's ability to heal itself and cautioned doctors not to interfere with that process.
It was not until 1926, however, that Jan Christiaan Smuts coined the term "holism," which has given us the more integrated concept of psychosomatic medicine now known as holistic medicine. In the 1970s, "holistic" became a more common term. Today, holistic medicine is known as an approach to life and health which brings together the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of a person in order to create a total sense of well being.
What is the evidence?
Although there has been research on various complementary methods which may be considered part of a holistic approach, scientific research generally does not focus on holistic medicine by itself as a cure for cancer or any other disease. Available scientific evidence does not support the idea that alternative practitioners are more effective than conventional physicians in persuading their patients to improve their lifestyle. Nor have available scientific studies shown that any of these approaches are effective or cost-effective against any disease if "holistic methods" are used without conventional medical treatment.
Some health care professionals suggest that cancer pain and some side effects of treatment can be managed by using different aspects of holistic medicine that include the physical, psychological, and spiritual factors involved with each person. Increasingly, the health care team is playing an important role in the treatment provided by many research centers and hospitals. Members of this team are drawn from the specialties of medicine, nursing, surgery, radiation therapy, oncology, psychiatry, psychology, and social work. In addition, the team may call on dietitians, physical therapists, and the clergy for support. Health professionals realize that a person's health depends on the balance of physical, psychological, social, and cultural forces. However, available scientific evidence does not support claims that holistic medicine alone can cure illness.
Are there any possible problems or complications?
Adopting healthy habits related to diet, exercise, emotional, and spiritual well being are considered important to maintaining good health. In fact, studies have shown that certain diet changes and regular exercise can reduce your risk of some kinds of cancer. However, relying on healthy habits or holistic measures alone, and avoiding or delaying conventional medical care, may have serious health consequences.
Additional Resources
More Information from Your American Cancer Society
The following information on complementary and alternative therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
Barrett S. Be wary of alternative health methods. Available at: http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/altwary.html. Accessed 3/21/07.
Carson JW, Keefe FJ, Lynch TR, et al. Loving-kindness meditation for chronic low back pain: results from a pilot trial. J Holist Nurs. 2005 Sep;23(3):287-304.
Curry SJ, Byers T, Hewitt M, (Eds) with the National Cancer Policy Board and the Institute of Medicine National Research Council of the National Academies. Fulfilling the Potential of Cancer Prevention and Early Detection. Washington DC: The National Academies Press, 2003.
Deming S. Center for Research on Minority Health: Working with the Community to End Health Disparities. Oncolog 2003;48(1):4-6.
Hassed C. Cancer and chronic pain. Aust Fam Physician. 1999;28:17-21, 23-24.
Kohara H, Miyauchi T, Suehiro Y, et al. Combined modality treatment of aromatherapy, footsoak, and reflexology relieves fatigue in patients with cancer. J Palliat Med. 2004 Dec;7(6):791-6.
Kushi LH, Byers T, Doyle C, et al. American Cancer Society guidelines on nutrition and physical activity for cancer prevention: reducing the risk of cancer with healthy food choices and physical activity. CA Cancer J Clin 2006;56:254–281.
MD Anderson. Cancer and the Impact of Family History. Network Newsletter. Spring 2003. Available online at www.mdanderson.org/publications. Accessed 3/22/05
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. March 23-24, 1998: AMPAC Meeting Minutes: IX. Public Comments.
Robins JL, McCain NL, Gray DP, et al. Research on psychoneuroimmunology: tai chi as a stress management approach for individuals with HIV disease. Appl Nurs Res. 2006 Feb;19(1):2-9.
Note: This information may not cover all possible claims, uses, actions, precautions, side effects or interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor, who is familiar with your medical situation.
Revised: 03/26/2007
|
