What is holistic healing and why is it important?

Holistic medicine is a vast and rapidly growing new field in the area of health. It is derived mainly from ancient, traditional methods of healing that have been practiced in the East for centuries. A large number of methods are covered by the term, but literature seems to agree that holistic medicine is a more personal move toward health care which attempts to connect the mind, body and spirit.

Holistic medicine can also be defined as the result of a series of important changes occurring within the American health care system today. For example, health care practitioners are coming to the realization that conventional biomedicine cannot solve many of American’s health problems.

Therefore, many doctors have begun to accept the idea that holistic medicine is often more effective, less harmful and more economical than conventional medicine.

The greater use of holistic medicine in the future is certain, and will change the American health care system. Americans will begin to approach life and illnesses in a different way and pursue a state of physical and mental well-being. People will begin to be more responsible and play a greater part in their own health and well being. As the medical community rediscovers these traditional techniques, these methods will take their place alongside technology. A greater emphasis will be put on spirituality and emotions.

How do we integrate holistic approaches to massage therapy?

For the reasons mentioned above, holistic approaches are taught at the European Institute for Massage Therapy. Holistic education includes (1) helping students become composed, stress-free and empowered with a sense of well-being; (2) taking the entire person into consideration, not just the individual’s medical symptoms and (3) body mechanics.