Where is holistic therapy heading?

[JaclynnC]

Hi
Quite an interesting question.

I think the majority of people who disagree withalternative therapy is most likely to be because, they have not tried it, have not given it long enough to work (more than one treatment is needed) or have a mind set that will not allow it.

Holistic therapy as we all know is also a state of mind, many treatments will allow the wellbeing of a person to be enhanced. The treatment, the feeling (the pleasant state) will then allow the mind to feel wonderful. A lot of people see it as a more relaxing treatment than actually one that heals as convential medicine would. What people think is, it cures rather than CM. but (i dont know what you all think) believe that it can be used along with CM, as some things are too damaging to be cured without CM.
I read the book of Caron Keating which she battled for years with breast cancer, using lots of alternative treatments along with CM, reading the book i believed that using alternative medicine certainly prolonged her life.
Again it is a state of mind.

Any treatment or diet that is 'good for you' can do many things for your body. It may not heal completely but it enahances good feeling, well being, which in turn will make your attitude to the problem seem better.

I think the training that is needed to complete a lot of these courses are quite intense and give you a good insight to the human body.

People do not realise the work that goes into a lot of studies, they see it a massage, a relaxing treatment, they do not realise you have spent months upon months learning about the human body, the in and outs of how it works.

Give them a doctor and of course they know that 'they must have studied' and know all about the body.

So the majority will always go with the doctors theory, rather than a 'herbal' cure.

I think more people are aware of holistic aproach to life now as the products in the shops portray the essential oils, people are more into vitamins, and every where you look on the high street there are more clinics and shops than ever before.
I did some voluntary massage at a cancer clinic a few years ago. There was a nurse who did it too, it was something that the patients looked forward to having. It was not seen as a 'cure' but as a 'wellbeing' treatment. and i'm all for that.

These treatments have been around for thousands of years, used, tried and tested. So we must be doing something right.

Sheangel

 

[JayJay]

So many good points made in this thread!

'I think people get a bit too carried away with science and forget that it is simply a way of looking at things.'

I agree with that!

Also - it is very true that the other aspects of CAM - like taking respoinsibility for our own health - are a major part of their value!

Angela: I also have a traditional BSc in Biological Sciences from Dundee University (v traditional - no alternative therapy courses there!). I enjoyed doing it and learnt a great deal. It did also highlight for me now much is not known; The scientific theories, in Biochemistry especially, are often half-formed and, at this stage in history, the god that we call science is really just a baby with a great deal to learn.


Melissa