What is holistic health care?
Very often, holistic health care is defined as what it is notWestern, scientific biomedicine, also called allopathic medicine. Any definition of holistic health care, therefore, should define allopathy as well. Allopathic medicine has pervaded much of Western Civilization. Also referred to as “conventional” or “biomedicine,” this systems seeks to treat diseases through an action whose result is the opposite action of the symptoms displayed. The word “allopathy” comes from the Greek roots allo, different, and pathos, suffering. Interestingly, the term “allopathic was first coined by Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy. Homeopathy, which follows the general philosophy of “like cures like” is today considered an “alternative” form of medicine. The economically, politically, and socially dominant form of medicine practiced in the United States today is allopathic medicine. The use of “alternatives,” however, has been on the rise in recent years. There are a variety of general terms
Most often, holistic health care is viewed as a field that encompasses modalities and methods that are not considered mainstream allopathic medicine. Allopathic medicine is referred to as “conventional” or “biomedicine”. It is the economically, politically, and socially dominant form of medicine practiced in the United States today. The use of “alternative,” forms of health care has increased exponentially over the years. There are a variety of general terms used for health care which is considered non-allopathic. These include alternative medicine, complementary medicine and holistic medicine, among others. While each of these terms share a similar overall health care philosophy, each is viewed from the constructs and perspective of allopathic medicine. “Alternative” seems to suggest a difference or deviance from the allopathic norm. “Complementary” instead indicates a type of health care to work alongside existing allopathic medical practices. The term “Holistic” differs from both of
