Health and Wellness Holistically
Over the years I have been able to see the applications and benefits
of traditional and non-traditional (holistic) methods used for estab-
lishing health and wellness in people. Many people do not truly under-
stand the differences between the two, or have an unclear picture of
what a holistic approach to health is.
Holistic is a term for describing our beings as “whole” or “intercon-
nected.” When a therapist or practitioner describes themselves as be-
ing “holistic,” they are stating that they are viewing in the “complete.”
Here is an example of a traditional versus a non-traditional approach
to musculo-skeletal injuries: Joe has chronic knee problems when
running. He has seen a physical therapist that only practices traditional
methods of rehabilitation. When Joe sees the PT and describes the
problem, the PT reviews his medical history and injury and starts
to work on Joe’s knee issues without considering the rest of Joe’s
musculo-skeletal system. So the therapist fixes Joe’s knee issues and
sends him on his way. Joe feels better but it is short-lived when two
months later Joe is struck again with the same knee pain.
This time Joe decides to try a different physical therapist who
practices a holistic approach to body wellness. The therapist reviews
Joe’s medical history and tests Joe’s kinesiology strengths and weak-
nesses. Upon testing, the therapist finds that part of Joe’s musculature
in his hip and low back are weak and too tight, decreasing his ability
to optimally function and stabilize his knees. The therapist applies the
appropriate corrective exercises and stretching for his entire body.
Some time later, Joe is feeling good again, leaves corrected and is able
to hold his correction permanently.
Joe is no longer suffering from a repetitive injury because of the
holistic (whole body) approach. This is just one simple example of the
differences in a traditional and non-traditional approach to health.
There are many great physicians, therapists and healers in the world
who come from both sides of these practices. We need one to have the
other. I firmly believe in viewing heath, fitness and wellness issues from
a holistic eye because of the benefits it has had on my clients’ health
and mine. There are many great teachers of holistic health in the world.
I have found that the CHEK institute is an amazing source of physical
and nutritional education dedicated to this approach.
August 2009 | RAGE monthly 51
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