Why is Holistic-ism frowned upon?

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Nov 2, 2008

I have a 60+ year old lady for a friend. She is active and healthy, and skinnier than me, and knows all this stuff about organic foods and their impact on your organs and stuff. SHE IS 60+!

Well, I'm 55, and scarcely think that simply being alive and healthy at 60 makes one an expert on health.

That said, a holistic approach requires time, something not awarded patients in this time-is-money world. Hell, a friend was d/c'ed from the hospital today after an emergency appy while he still had a fever.

Holistic isn't going to happen in this environment.

Guest27531 · Nov 2, 2008

Well, I'm 55, and scarcely think that simply being alive and healthy at 60 makes one an expert on health.
That said, a holistic approach requires time, something not awarded patients in this time-is-money world. Hell, a friend was d/c'ed from the hospital today after an emergency appy while he still had a fever.
Holistic isn't going to happen in this environment.

Holistic is starting to happen in some areas and it is generating great interest because of its potential. The healers are happy because there are treatments that offer something they don't currently have (or don't realize they have) that can help solve problems they can't currently solve and the bean-counters are happy because there is money to be made in the specialty. While these specialty departments and side-line businesses are starting to grow the traditional parts of the hospital are reeling under all the pressures being imposed on them. We need holistic medicine for our ailing health-care system!:redpinkhe

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Nov 2, 2008

Let's hope, StudyNurse.

rn/writer, RN · Nov 2, 2008

One reason (among many) that holistic practitioners have gotten a bad rap is that some of them are no more holistic than the medical practitioners they complain about. They approach patients and problems with the same either/or mentality that they rail against in the medical community.

The word "holistic" comes from the root word for "whole," meaning that every aspect of patient health is considered. Medical docs who pay no attention to nutrition, emotional status, spinal alignment, etc. close the door on many tools their patients can use to achieve success. Holistic practitioners who dismiss the medical approach entirely and insist that every problem can be solved by taking one supplement or another cheat their patients in a different, but equally limiting, way.

Instead of alternative medicine, there is much more talk now about complementary medicine, which does away with the adversarial relationship and tries instead to incorporate anything that will help patients find and maintain a state of health and happiness.

I wish you well with your endeavors.

Wellness-RN · Nov 3, 2008

Well, I'm 55, and scarcely think that simply being alive and healthy at 60 makes one an expert on health.
That said, a holistic approach requires time, something not awarded patients in this time-is-money world. Hell, a friend was d/c'ed from the hospital today after an emergency appy while he still had a fever.
Holistic isn't going to happen in this environment.

Not so long ago, I went to visit my dad at Morristown Memorial Hoapital (NJ) following cardiac surgery. While I was there, a holistic nurse came in to offer services. Outpatient services were also offered following discharge. And it was FREE; all done under a grant. It's coming. The research is happening, and providers and payers seem to be recognizing the benefits of whole heath & preventive care more.

lpnornot · Sep 21, 2009

I've been reading alot lately about how nutrition and avoidance of toxins could be the most important key to staying healthy. People in traditional societies dont have the chronic diseases we do in the industrialized or maybe even agricultural world. Diseases like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, MS etc. People from these socities start eating our "western Diet" and start getting these modern diseases. People have been cured from cancer and arthritis and asthma from eating organic foods-mostly fruits and vegetables (Gerson therapy).

Read Michael Pollans books "In Defense of Food" and "Omnivore's Dilemna". We should be eating lots of fresh local, preferably organic fruits and vegetables, meat and dairy from grass fed, (non chemically fed) animals. This is nutrient dense food, non-toxic, fats full of omega 3 and heathly lanoielic (sp) acid. No refined sugars (sugar, dextrose, maltose,prob even honey and syrup if it is refined and filtered,) no refined grains or oils. No processed foods ie make it yourself from whole foods. Yes it takes time. It also makes you healthy, reduces, maybe eliminates your dependence on drugs, and doctors, saves on medical bills, helps to prevent pollution, gives farmers a decent living and wage-not one of pesticide induced cancer, reduces our tax burden to pay for corn subsidies, reduces our dependence on oil and the wars involved-costs included, takes money and power away from the monoplozing huge processing and seed industry, reduces antibody residence, land is protected from Monsantos evil grip(with thier genetically modified seeds) and animals are not tortured, yes tortured on factory farms.

What I have learn has almost completely put me off the idea of a career as a nurse esp an lpn who I think spends most of thier time giving and almost pushing drugs (cause they have to follow doctors orders)that very likely are unnecessary.

Rascal1 · Oct 15, 2009

Holistic treatment is often discouraged by most mainstream doctors for many reasons, one being , the fact that our american medical association, the fda, the health insurers and the drug companies have become quite powerful,wealthy and influential in the 'status quo' modus operandi. And chances are they would like to have things remain that way. They all have played a part in keeping us sick.

They are more interested in being diagnosticians,prescribing a pill and sending you on your way. The waiting rooms are triple booked and we are being given 'ala carte' medical care. Another problem, book another appointment!

Holistic,proactive and preventative care works and they know that. Medical schools don't even teach nutrition.

Quite frankly, the fault of the soaring costs of health insurance does not fall solely on the shoulders of the insurers.

qhjumper · Dec 5, 2009

i totally believe that natural and holistic can be a great thing. i agree that it is ignorant to not use western/modern when th situation calls for it. that being said, i think that diet and excercise along with many herbal remedies can lead to a healthier life and longevity. people would rather take a pill vs. changing thier lifestyle and that is sad to me. we are a pill fed society and a note on the fact that many natural and herbal remedies are not fda approved...well there are thousands of drugs that have been approved that have been found unsafe and caused death. my theory, if you are unhealthy and don't change how you eat and live, you can take a pill to fix it for awhile but the pill will probably cause another organ to stress or have problems! we should combine both! they each have thier place!

Rascal1 · Dec 5, 2009

It goes beyond eating right, exercising and doing everything in moderation. It seems our ever evolving

technology is killing us, from the food we find in the supermarkets,to the microwaves and our cell-phones.

I think most doctors are controlled by the mixed greed found within the A.M.A.,the big insurance industry,

the pharmaceutical industry and the attorneys. If we are too healthy they all get paid less!

qhjumper · Dec 6, 2009

I totally agree with this as well. That's why I'm a freak about organic and at least trying to be healthy but you have a point!