What is included in holistic medicine?
Traditional alternative medicine practices are also a key part of what holistic health is; they include acupuncture, homeopathy, naturopathy, massage, tai chi, reiki, and osteopathic medicine. Depending on the type of holistic therapy your therapist offers, you may engage in mindfulness exercises or body movements. Your therapist will then ask you to assess your comfort in the various areas as you learn what feels good and what feels uncomfortable, a lesson you can take with you outside of session.
What are the disadvantages of holistic care?
Cost: Many alternative therapies are not covered by health insurance, making them prohibitively expensive for some people. However, it’s important to note that alternative medicine can also have risks. Many alternative medicine practices are not backed by scientific evidence, and some may even be harmful. Some non-medical approaches, like exercise, a healthy diet, and stress reduction, are well-researched and known to work well. Others, like IV vitamin treatments, have little scientific evidence to back them up. That’s why it’s best to use such treatments to complement standard medical treatments, not replace them.