Health promotion has received numerous definitions over time, with differences dependent on the emphasis and perspective one has, rather than any core substance disagreement (Irvin et.al 9). However, the most characteristic one is probably that of Perry and Jessor (1985), who define health promotion as “The implementation of efforts to foster improved health and well-being in all four domains of health [physical, social, psychological and personal]” (22). So, taking into account the aforementioned definition of health promotion, one can say that holistic health and medicine are indeed dedicated to health promotion, in more ways than one, that will be further analyzed throughout this paper.
Basic Principles of Holistic Health/Medicine
Holistic health or holistic medicine is a field of alternative medicine that focuses on the whole of a human existence, meaning the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health of each individual (American Cancer Society). To holistic medicine, if the body, or mind suffers the whole person’s health is affected, which is why it is believed that all four pre mentioned elements of a human existence interconnect to bring health to an individual. For that reason, when a person is ill or unhealthy for some reason, holistic health will focus on the whole person, rather than trying to manage the disease and cure the specific illness or part of the body that suffers (American Cancer Society). In other words, holistic health targets maximum well-being, where all four elements that comprise humans, function the best possible way. So, it becomes obvious that holistic health is a direct example of health promotion, as already defined by Perry and Jessor.
With respect to the law of nature, holistic health forwards the concept that everything around us is closely connected with one another. For example, the earth is made up of various, independent systems, like land, water, animals and air. Although independent, if one system faces a problem, the other systems are also affected, which is exactly what happens to individuals: if something goes wrong in physical, emotional, mental or spiritual level, overall health is negatively impacted (Walter). For instance, if one is stressed because they have missed the bus and will be late for work, all the nervousness might as well cause a physical reaction, like a stomach ache. Studies have shown that suppressed anger, or anger turned inward is a reason for migraines (Boyle, Church & Byrnes 47), which demonstrates the interconnection of emotional and physical health. The good thing about holistic health is that it is an ongoing process, where the current health status of an individual does not block cure; everyone can achieve overall wellbeing, despite potential mishaps that may occur on the way (Walter).
It is widely accepted that lifestyle choices affect health and elevate the risk for developing a disease, if one choses to not take care of their overall health (Genetic Science Learning Center). The most prevailing dangers that jeopardize one’s health is smoking, drugs, alcohol, lack of exercise and unhealthy eating habits, while some of the equally dangerous, yet not as recognized, dangers to health, include sugar and of course, negative attitudes towards life and low self-esteem (Walter). But, if what is inside the human being is of low quality, due to the bad lifestyle choices one makes, illness might take hold. What holistic health does is to promote people towards eating healthy, exercising, taking care of their inner self and balance and allow a healthy mind and spirit live in a healthy body, exactly like the Latin quotation “Mens sana in corpore sano” (Juvenal, line 356), meaning “a sound mind in a healthy body”.
Applications of Holistic Medicine in Health Promotion
Some mainstream doctors and other health care professionals chose to add non-mainstream, or complementary treatments to the care they provide patients with, which is called holistic care, or most widely known as integrative care (American Cancer Association).
Integrative medicine or integrative health is a completely patient-centered care that not only educate, but also empowers individuals to take a very active role in their own health care and wellness (Bravewell Collaborative). So, with integrative care, optimal health and healing is achieved with an integration of the best medicine used in the West and a greater understanding of the very nature of any disease, illness and suffering, as a means to promote healing and wellbeing.
However, there are practically myriads of healing arts that are based in holistic health/medicine, who can get involved in integrative medicine, there is a wide array of different approaches and applications of holistic medicine to patients. For example, health care professionals can work with acupuncturists, massage therapists, practitioners using Ayuvedic medicine or nutritionists, among others.
Holistic Health is considered part of alternative and complementary medicine (Passarelli) and according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, approximately 38 percent of adults in the US and about 12 percent of children prefer some form of a complementary and alternative medicine (nih.gov). The population of the UK also show a preference for contemporary and alternative medicine, given that about one third of them use the aforementioned medicine (Hill).
Contemporary and Alternative Medicine, in general, appears to be experiencing an increase in recent years, especially within biomedical health care, although many are still skeptical on the use of holistic health (Hill). It is for sure that health promotion must partner with other professions, in light of the 21st century, in order to promote public health (Hill).
Conclusion
Holistic Health is considered by many part of Contemporary and Alternative medicine and is believed to promote health in various ways. If health promotion is indeed implementing ways to foster improved health on all major elements that comprise the human nature, that of the body, mind and soul, the holistic health has lots to demonstrate. It relies on basic principles that treat an individual as a whole and not every illness or body part that aches separately. By caring for the entire “human ecosystem”, holistic health promotes overall health and well-being, and educates people on how to achieve high levels of wellness.
Truth is that for the last 20 years holistic health and complementary and alternative medicine have become the pole of serious criticism; however, it is vital that health promotion joints forces with holistic health, since they both have the same goad: public health. According to the latest statistics and figures, about a third of the population in the US and the UK have started using complementary and alternative medicine, which shows that people are in fact trying to enhance their wellbeing and life a healthier, happier life. And, when people want health, governments are obliged to take the necessary action to provide them with exactly that.
Works Cited:
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Boyle, Scott, Church II, Wesley and Byrnes, Edward (2005). “Migraine Headaches and Anger”. Print. Best Practices in Mental Health, Vol. 1, No. 1, Winter 2005. Lyceum Books, Inc.
The Bravewell Collaborative (n.d). “Elements of Integrative Care”. Web. Nov. 8, 2013 <http://www.bravewell.org/integrative_medicine/integrative_care/>
Genetic Science Learning Center (n.d). “Lifestyle Choices and Risks”. The University of Utah. Web. Nov. 8, 2013. < http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/health/history/lifestyle/>
Hill, Faith (2003). “Complementary and alternative medicine: the next generation of health promotion?”. Oxford Journals. Health Promotion International 18 (3): 265-272
Irvin, Rootman, et.al (2001). “Evaluation in Health Promotion: Principles and Perspectives”. WHO Regional Publications European Series, No 92
Juvenal, edited by Courtney & Rudd (1991). “Juvenal: Satires I, III, X”. Print. Bristol Classical Press; 2 edition.
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2008). “The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the United States”. US Department of Health and Human Services: National Institutes of Health. Web. Nov. 8, 2013 <http://nccam.nih.gov/news/camstats/2007/camsurvey_fs1.htm>
Passarelli, Tonya (2008). “Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the United States». Print. <http://www.cwru.edu/med/epidbio/mphp439/complimentary_meds.pdf>
Perry, C.L. and Jessor, R (1985). “The concept of health promotion and the prevention of adolescent drug abuse. Health Education Quarterly, 12 (2): 169-184
Walter, Susan (n.d). “Holistic Health”. American Holistic Health Association. Web. Nov. 9, 2013 < http://ahha.org/rosen.htm>
