What is a Holistic Approach in Medicine ?

Fr Harshajan Pazhayattil, OFM

A holistic approach in medicine means multidimensional approach with multidisciplinary options in concert to deliver total healing to grow bigger than the physical size to God's size (Mt.5:48) as normal size for growth towards fullness. Humans are created in the Image of God. What one is created in and called for is the normal size. Anything other than normal indicate abnormal conditions affecting all dimensions and aspects of life which becomes the basis for a new pathology of medicine. Any medical approach that deals with the whole human being is holistic.

In any medical problem primary health care is given. In some cases the presenting problem may not need anything further. But most illnesses are notorious for "deeper Maladies". Therefore:

1. In investigation, diagnosis, prescription, and treatment considers simultaneously every dimension of human existence e.g. physical, psychological, social, economic, political, spiritual, hereditary, environmental, vocational (work), dietary, family, etc as integral parts of the whole person together with the emotional trauma of hospitalization e.g. alienation, nakedness, check up, injection, surgery, etc. which are rarely considered.

2. Considers roots, causes, life-styles, patterns, Dietary habits, and all such so called "practical ways" of living one's life which led to the present health issues and "deeper maladies" making life impractical and unwholesome at times irremediably fatal.

3. Simultaneously seeks options for healing, health and growth on all levels. It is a combined initiative of the healing team who involves the patient in the process. Often health is defined as the right balance of chemicals and feelings with growing edge. But what maintains the right balance for a growing person is Love and the "focus" or "inner eye" in love as the motivating factor. In sickness the existential exigency is such that the "focus" becomes stronger restoring balance. The healing team knows well to put the patient in touch with God as the Healer Who restores healing normally through medication, healing team, relatives, environment and so on for a deep reconciliation i.e. physical, spiritual, emotional and on all levels. In touch with God as Love Redeeming at depth level the patient works on at the recesses of his/her being. Often blocks are removed, medicine, food, nature, relationships etc work better so as to get integrated in each aspect and cell decayed. The body and spirit gets an extra vitality, healing power with richer experience surpassing the sum total of his/her chemical components, cells, parts put together. Such a person "fully alive" has greater resistance power, greater growth potential to grow to the size of God as explained earlier. Prognosis is determined by one's ability to say "yes" to healing options, health options, growth options in Redeeming Love

If Redeeming Love is real in life, then God is real in life as the healing, liberating reality. Such love is "holistic, in the sense it deals with every dimension of human life. Such a holistic approach as we saw earlier when personlized is radically curative, essentially preventive, and basically integrative of wholesome growth in personal life, and so in the family, society, nation and the universe.

Human beings are not just body, nor feelings alone. Attitude sets mind; mind controls body- chemicals as in anger, bereavement, depression, pleasure and so on. Daily we lose countless body cells to be replaced by new ones. Wholesome healing and health requires healthy body-mind relationship within multidimensional approach.

Basics of Health and Wholeness—Patients Sought mostly after their illness:

Often patients are treated as a thing, impersonalized, one among many, a case for the changing staff. Their sickness and symptoms are seemingly more important than total health with "deeper maladies" which caused the present illness. In many hospitals God, place of worship, dear ones, relatives, and such realities of deep value for the patient are out there on the corridors. Against their experiences some study was made and added our own. They are:

1. God as Love Redeeming

2. Nature enabled. Body may need medication, with proper or controlled diet, exercise, yoga of breathing & meditation and healthy environment;

3. Love-line intact, so that life and cell may freely flow strengthening every organ;

4. Responsible human participation for wholeness in oneself, in the family, society, and the world;

5. Systems, disciplines, medications, procedures made wholesome or natural;

6. A holistic patient-cantered team with necessary equipment to deliver total health;

7. Health from its curative, preventive and growth aspects, empowering the patient for self-care.

Thus, God, nature supportive & caring relationships, a positive life-direction with discipline and personal responsibility, proper diet, exercise and work to support life are some of the principles of health care as self-care.

Some Misconceptions About Holistic Medicine:

Holistic approach in medicine does not mean:

1. Non-drug therapies or treatment without allopathic medicine;

2. Healing without medication or faith healing;

3. Treatment with alternative medicines alone;

4. Multidisciplinary approaches in medicine;

5. Multidimensional approach with medical disciplines other than allopathy;

6. Medical treatment into spiritual & psychological services;

7. "Holistic" board or herbal medicines alone.