Benefits of Incorporating Holistic/Alternative Care into Your Wellness Plan

Alternative or holistic healing means taking holistic approach when seeing treatment for imbalances and choosing to live a more balance lifestyle.

What distinguishes holistic healing apart from alternative medicine, complementary medicine, and integrative medicine is that physical health is not necessarily the main focus, but addressing the "root of the problem."

The experience of physical discomfort usually is the first prompt a person's pursuit of holistic healing, especially when conventional medicine has not helped entirely.

Holistic healing addresses all parts of the individual, not just the physical aspect of a person where manifested illnesses are most apparent. It also addresses, mind, body and spirit. Holistic healing is not intended to serve as a band-aid or a one-time fix.

It is an ongoing journey of discovery in search of more answers and ultimately; living better, being healthier, and striving for wholeness of the mind, body and spirit connection. Holistic healing is a lifestyle approach.

What does Alternative/Holistic Healing address?

All parts of the person's life -

• Physical healing
• Mental health
• Wellness
• Emotional well being
• Spiritual belief and values

A person who embraces the desire to find wholeness within his or her own being learns the importance of finding balance in:

• Relationships
• Caring for our environment
• Having compassion for all living things
• Accepting and tolerating differences among a diverse population of people

How do we become Unbalanced?

• Overworking
• Juggling too many schedules
• Not honoring yourself by not listening to what your body is telling you.
• Forcing yourself to do something that your mind and body disagree with
• Imbalance may be the result of mental, emotional, or spiritual needs not being met

How do you incorporate holistic healing into your life?

• Recognizing stress factors
• Getting enough rest
• Eating a balanced diet
• Exercising
• Live your life with integrity and honesty
• Finding time to connect to your soul and spirit through meditation
• Having integrity
• Learning to set boundaries

What happens when we are out of balance?

Disassociation with the body can easily manifest into illnesses? People may seek a holistic practitioner to help them to become balance again.

What is the role of a holistic practitioner?

The holistic healer recognizes discomforts or pains which are symptoms of imbalance and may ask to talk about the roots of the health issue.

The holistic healer looks at the "whole person" in order to make his or her complete evaluation and uses all information gathered before suggested what energy healing to offer.

Keep in mind, not all holistic healers are equal, each has his or her specialty or expertise to offer. It would be best to shop around and make some calls. Most holistic healers will offer a free consultation. Choosing to go to a holistic healer is no different from choosing a medical professional. When deciding which modality to try, do your research and ask questions.

A few healing modalities are:

• Massage
• Reflexology
• Energy Medicine
• Reiki
• Aromatherapy
• Natural Diet
• Ayurveda Medicine
• Yoga
• Counseling
• Herbal remedies
• Acupuncture
• Meditation
• Homeopathy
• Chinese medicine

Health Insurance
At this time, most major health insurance do not cover most holistic healing therapies. Some insurance companies offer discount for massage, acupuncture and chiropractic services.

Helen Chin Lui is a certified Reflexologist, certified Energy Medicine and Reiki practitioner. She is the founder and owner of the Healing Place in Medfield. She specializes in helping clients with chronic digestive disorders and chronic pain. If you would like to schedule a free 60 minute consultation or make an appointment, please call 508 359 6463 or visit her website at www.healingplacemedfield.com