Definition

The core philosophy of holistic medicine is that a person’s mind, body, and spirit are all interdependent and an individual can’t be treated through a single approach. For example, someone who practices holistic psychotherapy wouldn’t simply treat PTSD with talk therapy. They would also observe the person’s home life to see if marital conflict is exacerbating their stress. They’d teach the person how to relax their muscles with exercises. According to a holistic practitioner, healing the whole person is the only way to get effective, long-term results.

Holistic medicine is not interchangeable with complementary and alternative medicine. Holistic medicine can certainly include complementary treatments like meditation or herbal supplements. However, it is an approach to healing, not a specific method of treatment in itself.

Additional resources

• Holistic Medicine: Advances and Shortcomings (Western Journal of Medicine)

Summary

Holistic medicine is a treatment philosophy that addresses all parts of a person: physical, emotional, and spiritual. It is not interchangeable with complementary or alternative medicine. Holistic medicine can certainly include complementary treatments like meditation or herbal supplements. However, holistic medicine is an approach to healing, not a specific method of treatment in itself.

Related terms

• complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)