What is holistic and alternative medicine?

Alternative medicine, also called holistic, gentle, complementary or unconventional medicine, offers a wide choice of practices and therapies. It distinguishes itself from traditional Western medicine by its holistic approach to health, which considers the human being as a whole, taking into account their body, mind and emotions.

Unlike conventional medicine, alternative medicine is not taught to health professionals during their traditional training. You will therefore not see it during your preparatory years in medical school except in certain countries. It is based on often ancient traditions and philosophies, and offers alternative solutions to traditional medical treatments.

It is important to emphasize that alternative medicine is not intended to replace conventional medicine.. However, it can be considered as a complementary therapy to relieve various ailments and improve general well-being. L'World Health Organization (WHO) currently recognizes 4 alternative medicines: acupuncture, homeopathy, mesotherapy and osteopathy. But there are many more, such as naturopathy, phytotherapy or hypnotherapy, to name just a few.

The field of alternative medicine is constantly evolving, with new practices and therapies emerging regularly. It's important to find out and choose qualified and experienced practitioners to make the most of these holistic approaches to health.

The word “holistic” comes from the Greek “holos” which means “all”. Holistic medicine considers health to be a state of overall well-being that is not just the absence of disease. She is interested in the root causes of disorders and aims to restore harmony between body and mind.

• Comprehensive approach to health : Holistic medicine considers that health is influenced by many factors, including lifestyle, diet, stress level, interpersonal relationships, environment, etc. It seeks to evaluate and balance all these aspects to promote the overall well-being of the person.
• Individualized treatment : Rather than focusing solely on suppressing symptoms, holistic medicine seeks to identify and treat the underlying causes of health conditions. Treatments are often personalized based on the unique needs of each individual.
• Preventive approach : Holistic medicine focuses on disease prevention by encouraging healthy lifestyles and identifying imbalances before they manifest as symptoms.
• Use of different treatment modalities : In addition to conventional treatments, holistic medicine often incorporates complementary therapies such as acupuncture, meditation, aromatherapy, chiropractic, nutrition, homeopathy, etc., depending on individual needs.
• Consideration of mind-body interaction : Holistic medicine recognizes the influence of thoughts, emotions and state of mind on physical health. She often encourages therapeutic approaches that promote emotional and mental balance to support healing.

There is a wide variety of holistic therapies:

• Acupuncture : a Chinese technique which consists of stimulating specific points of the body using fine needles.
• Homeopathy : a therapeutic method that uses remedies diluted and energized from natural substances.
• La naturopathy : a health approach which aims to stimulate the body's self-healing capacities through natural means such as diet, physical exercise and medicinal plants.
• Osteopathy : a manual therapy which aims to correct imbalances in the body and improve blood circulation and lymphatic.
• Sophrology : a relaxation technique that allows you to better manage stress and anxiety.
• We will also add hypnotherapy, massage therapy, aromatherapy, phytotherapy, sophrology, and several energy medicines.

A holistic therapist is an alternative health professional who takes a holistic approach to health and wellness. Rather than focusing solely on the symptoms of an illness or disorder, the holistic therapist considers the whole person, including their physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects.

This integrative approach aims to identify the root causes of health problems and promote a harmonious balance between body, mind and soul. He can be a doctor, a naturopath, an osteopath, an acupuncturist, a homeopath, a pharmacist, etc.

Holistic medicine does not replace traditional medicine. It can be used in addition to traditional medicine to relieve various ailments, such as:

• Chronic pain
• Stress and anxiety
• Sleeping troubles
• Chronic fatigue
• Digestive problems
• Allergies

The effectiveness of alternative therapies is often controversial. Most scientific studies on the subject are small and methodologically flawed. It is therefore difficult to draw definitive conclusions about their effectiveness.

The decision to consult a practitioner is a personal decision often also due to the lack of solutions provided by traditional medicine. It is therefore important to choose a qualified practitioner and ensure that the therapy chosen is suitable for your needs. It is also important to never interrupt ongoing medical treatment without the advice of your doctor.