Treating the Whole Person: Mind, Body, Spirit
Treating mental health in a holistic manner is a practical and effective approach to health care. By addressing a
patient’s psychological, physiological and spiritual nature, it increases their chances of recovery in a practical and
cost-effective manner. For example, studies have shown that simple dietary interventions can significantly reduce escalating health care costs.
In the United States, these rising costs have severe implications for individuals and society as a whole as the cost of health care increases
and more and more people are without health insurance. Naturopathic medicine and natural methods of healing are cost-effective because they
focus on prevention, patient involvement, noninvasive methods and appropriate use of technology.
Nutrition therapy alone could save billions. A landmark study released in 2004 at a U.S. congressional hearing found potential cost savings
resulting from daily use of calcium and folic acid could save $15 billion in health care costs annually.
Other dietary research released in 2007 determined that supplementation with calcium, Vitamin D, folic acid, omega-3 essential fatty acids,
and lutein with zeaxaanthin could save more than $24 billion in health care costs each year.
As people realize there are better ways to heal, more and more are turning complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for health care.
Consider these statistics:
According to the Institute For Health and Healing at California Pacific Medical Center, more than 80 million Americans turn to CAM every year.
A Harvard Medical School survey revealed that 68% of adults have used at least one form of CAM therapy.
In July of 2000, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology reported that at least 69% of cancer patients turn to a CAM therapy,
most commonly in combination with conventional treatment.
Mind-body interventions constitute a major portion of the overall use of complementary and alternative medicine by the public. In 2002,
relaxation techniques, imagery, biofeedback and hypnotherapy were used by more than 30% of the adult U.S. population.
At the heart of many complimentary and alternative approaches is the belief that the mind, body and spirit have a natural tendency toward
equilibrium. Modern medical science has dubbed this natural phenomena "homeostasis." Maintaining this internal balance and boosting the body's
self-healing powers are crucial to long-term good health and well-being.
Sometimes severe illness can overwhelm the homeostatic process, and in these instances modern medicine does its most important work. In the past,
the triumphs of medical science have overshadowed traditional ideas of homeostasis, but today many doctors believe that it takes more than drugs
or surgery to cope with stress-related ailments and persistent disease. Based on this paradigm shift, the idea of holistic health is becoming
increasingly accepted.
Because complimentary and alternative therapies are frequently requested by patients, the roles of mental health professionals are
drastically changing. Whereas a psychotherapist may not have discussed nutrition, herbs or lifestyle habits with a client in the past,
it has become more commonplace. Psychiatrists and medical doctors prescribing drugs have had to learn about drug/herb interactions in
order to protect their patients.
References (To view, roll mouse over the "References" heading; to hide, click on the heading)
DaVanzo, J., et al. Improving public health, reducing health care costs: An evidence-based study of five dietary supplements. The Lewin Group September 22, 2004.
DaVanzo, J., Freeman, J. Effect of selected dietary supplements on health care cost reduction - study update. The Dietary Supplement Education Alliance June 5, 2007.
Fredricks, R. (2008). Healing & wholeness: Complementary and alternative therapies for mental health. Bloomington,IN: Authorhouse.
Kessler, R., Davis, R., Foster, D. F., Van Rompay, M. I., Walters, E. E., Wilkey, S. A., Kaptchuk, T. J., & Eisenberg, D. M. (2001). Long-term trends
in the use of complementary and alternative medical therapies in the United States. Ann Intern Med, 135(4), 262-268.
Richardson, M. A., Sanders, T., Palmer, J. L., Greisinger, A., & Singletary, S. E. (2000). Complementary/alternative medicine use in a comprehensive cancer
center and the implications for oncology. J Clin Oncol, 18(13), 2505-2514.
Wolsko, P. M., Eisenberg, D. M., Davis, R. B., & Phillips, R. S. (2004). Use of mind-body medical therapies. J Gen Intern Med, 19(1), 43-50.
