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It
is possible to view the human body as a complex organism which
is more than the sum of its parts and only partially understandable
in its functions. Medical scientists can never repair the
body with the confidence with which a motor mechanic may fix
a car. This is because the mechanic has a complete work manual
for the car setting out the function of every nut and bolt.
Medical doctors do not enjoy the luxury of having the manufacturer's
work manual for each and every human body. The marvellous
textbooks on anatomy, physiology and pathology will never
have all the answers.
It is obvious however that there is an essential difference
between fixing a machine and repairing the human body. The
human body is capable of repairing itself. After a motor accident
the bodywork of a car will require the attention of a panel
beater but the driver's bruises will go away by themselves.
The body heals (which means 'makes whole') itself of bruises
and broken skin, colds and flu, headaches, ulcers and numerous
other conditions.
When
the body does not appear to be doing a satisfactory job of
healing itself, one goes to the doctor for help and is treated
accordingly. But when the body is capable of healing itself
but for some reason is not doing so, would it not make sense
first to try to persuade or stimulate it to get on with the
job of healing? A stimulus to the body to persuade it to heal
itself is generally applied to the whole person and has been
aptly described by Dr Eric Ledermann as an holistic stimulus.
Many
alternative medical approaches are based on the concept of
the holistic stimulus. As this aims to treat the whole person
the holistic doctor will need to know a great deal about the
patient's life as well as all the details of the illness itself.
Here are some examples of ways in which an holistic stimulus
may be applied.
In
HOMEOPATHY the principle is to prescribe a medicine which
not only suits the symptoms of the illness but also the general
physical and mental characteristics of the patient. The classical
homeopathic physician will take a very detailed history from
the patient asking him or her about all systems of the body,
their likes and dislikes with regard to diet, their sleeping
habits and their personality. This gives the doctor subtle
information about how the whole body is functioning. He or
she is then in a position to prescribe a homeopathic remedy
which may be able to stimulate the body to heal itself. A
successful prescription, being aimed at the whole human being
as well as at the illness, will result in the person feeling
better in himself as well as in an improvement of the illness.
The
remedies themselves are derived from a large variety of natural
sources and are given in minuscule doses. If these same medicines
were to be given in larger doses they would cause the symptoms
that with minute doses they cure. Hence the central principle
of homeopathy being 'let likes be cured by likes'.
In
ACUPUNCTURE the central principle is that there is an energy
called Chi which circulates all round the surface of the body
on invisible lines called meridians. If the movement of this
energy is harmonious, the person is healthy. In an ill person
the acupuncturist can detect abnormalities in the flow of
Chi along the meridians by careful questioning and a subtle
examination of the pulse. Along these meridians, which can
be compared to train lines, are the acupuncture points, which
can be compared to stations. The acupuncturist places very
fine needles into carefully selected points on the skin to
harmonise the flow of Chi and thus allow the body to heal
itself. The application of acupuncture needles can be seen
as a type of holistic stimulus leading to increased general
health of the patient as well as an improvement of the specific
illness.
Homeopathy
and acupuncture are two of the best-known forms of therapeutics
based on the concept of an holistic stimulus, but there are
many others. Massage in its many forms can have a powerful
positive effect on the whole person and this may include an
improvement in their illness. Osteopathy and Chiropractic
in helping to create a healthier spine and joints may also
benefit the whole individual. There are many other examples
of this type of holistic stimulus and what they each have
in common is that the patient is still a passive recipient
of treatment. He or she is not necessarily encouraged to participate
actively in the application of the holistic stimulus.
Holistic
Approach with an active patient:
The
patient plays an active role in applying the holistic stimulus
to himself or herself.
Here
the role of the doctor is to help the patient find ways in
which he or she can help himself or herself become healthier
generally, in addition to alleviating or eradicating illness.
In
REMEDIAL DIETETICS a change in one's eating habits can act
as a powerful, holistic stimulus to health. This is because
the food we eat is not only fuel for the body but also the
raw material out of which the body must regenerate itself.
Thus a healthier diet or even a short, medically supervised
fast on fruit and vegetable juices can result in major changes
in health and amelioration of symptoms. In this way changes
in diet become the treatment or remedy but it is essential
that the diet be carefully tailored to suit the needs of the
individual.
STRESS
RELEASE is another important holistic stimulus. There is little
doubt that stress is an important aggravating and even causative
factor in many illnesses such as irritable bowel syndrome,
stomach ulcers, chronic headaches and high blood pressure.
Meditation, breathing techniques, relaxation tapes and Autogenic
Training - a powerful stress-releasing and stress-proofing
technique - can allow people to release a lot of tension,
feel more relaxed and on the path to good health. This can
result specifically in great improvements in their illnesses.
Regular EXERCISE, as we all know, makes us feel fitter and
more vibrant in ourselves. This can result in an improvement
in many of our symptoms. Hatha Yoga is a very sophisticated
form of physical education stimulating not only the heart,
lungs and muscles but also the internal organs of the body.
Tai Chi is a refined series of movements causing the participant
to feel energised and relaxed. The Alexander Technique teaches
us to use our bodies more gracefully, helps to conserve energy
and reduces wear and tear. Any form of sport or exercise,
even a ten minute walk every morning, can act as an holistic
stimulus and have a positive impact on health.
When
we take on the responsibility for doing things to make us
feel better, the renewed energy and positive attitude acts
as an holistic stimulus on the whole body and can actually
activate the healing process.
There
are many other therapies in which we can actively participate
in making ourselves healthier. Many of these may be used at
the same time as using holistic therapies such as homeopathy
and acupuncture or conventional medication. Furthermore, different
types of treatment used simultaneously may also complement
each other - hence the term 'Complementary medicine'. A sufferer
from irritable bowel syndrome, for example, does not have
to come off the prescribed medication to try an holistic approach.
He may be prescribed a homeopathic medicine, encouraged to
learn a deep relaxation technique and to eat a healthier diet
all at the same time. As he begins to feel better and the
symptoms of the illness improve, it will become clear to both
doctor and patient that less and less medication is needed
until sometimes it can be dispensed with altogether.
Mind
Your Health
Most doctors and health practitioners agree that many illnesses
are strongly related to our state of mind. In fact most GPs
believe that up to 70% of their consultations are for psychosomatic
complaints. This is not to suggest that all these patients
are hypochondriacs. Many severe conditions such as stomach
ulcers can be psychosomatic in origin, that is a state of
mind ('psycho') which leads to changes in the body ('soma'),
causing disease (or 'dis - ease').
The
good news about this relationship between mind and body is
that it works both ways. If our minds are capable of making
our bodies ill, then they are also able to stimulate our bodies
to heal themselves. We know that people sometimes lose the
will to live after the loss of their life partner. Others
survive the most severe illnesses by sheer determination and
have written books about how they overcame life-threatening
disease by changing their lifestyles. In almost every case
the person who recovered changed their very way of being by
releasing pent-up emotions, by finding a more fulfilling way
of doing their job or by sorting out relationship problems.
Doctors
can help patients recover in these ways by listening carefully
and asking questions not only about the illness but also about
the achievements, disappointments, shocks and happy or unhappy
relationships that form part of all of our lives. Many people
have nostalgic memories of the 'good old-fashioned GP who
made housecalls in the middle of the night' and looked after
several generations of their families. These doctors are missed
because in getting to know a great deal about the lives and
families of their patients, they were able to see the psychological
conflicts that were aggravating or causing illness. A few
gentle, well-chosen words are sometimes enough to make people
feel better about themselves and their lives. When this happens
their bodies often feel better as well.
In
spite of the wonderful advances in technological medicine
that have transformed the face of modern medicine and saved
millions of lives, many present day doctors have somehow found
themselves in a health system whereby they do not have sufficient
time to listen to the stories of their patients' lives. The
system is geared to the prescription of drugs.
The
family doctor of the future will have time to listen to his
or her patients. He or she will have not only the full range
of medical and surgical techniques at his or her disposal
but also the holistic techniques of complementary medicine.
Both systems are valid. The benefits of holistic medicine
- with its aim of stimulating the body to heal itself, its
less invasive character and fewer side effects - will enhance
and expand the therapeutic tools at his or her disposal.
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