The traditional healthcare model is often a bureaucracy bogged down by insurance company rules and regulations. It tends to favor a high quantity of patients over the quality of treatment. Rather than taking the time to understand the causes of a patient's condition, symptoms are treated by simply prescribing the newest pharmaceutical products.
Functional medicine and holistic healthcare offer an effective alternative to the traditional healthcare model. However, starting down a new path can sometimes be intimidating. Embarking on a holistic health journey through functional medicine involves a transformative mindset, collaborative practitioner engagement, and significant lifestyle changes.
Dr. Camille and the team at Resilience Health and Wellness want to help you prepare for a successful holistic health journey. In this article, we'll reveal the steps needed to start your holistic healthcare journey and how to implement what you learn to achieve optimal health and wellness in life.
Mindset Shift
Before you start on your holistic health journey, you must cultivate a mindset that sees the body as an interconnected system rather than isolated parts. Holistic Medicine is based on the concept that the body works best when treated as a whole instead of separately. Embracing the idea that health is a dynamic balance of physical, mental, and emotional well-being where the body must communicate and work together to function at its optimal potential is key to starting a successful holistic health journey. Holistic practitioners educate and encourage patients to understand that symptoms are often signs of underlying imbalances, requiring a deeper exploration rather than mere symptom suppression through prescription drugs.
This is the major difference between functional holistic medicine and traditional medicine. Holistic health differs from conventional medicine by focusing on root causes rather than isolating symptoms. It involves understanding the individual's unique biochemistry, genetics, and lifestyle factors as opposed to simply prescribing a medication to treat a symptom or suppress pain and ailments.
Collaboration with a Knowledgeable Practitioner
Finding a practitioner trained in functional medicine with the experience and training to conduct in-depth assessments that consider factors such as nutrition, stress, sleep, and environmental influences is essential when starting a holistic health journey. This personalized approach helps tailor interventions that address the root causes of health issues that are specific to the individual patient.
Holistic healthcare is not a one-size-fits-all practice. Establishing a collaborative relationship with a practitioner is crucial. It is essential to share your health history openly and actively participate in the decision-making process because holistic health is seen as a partnership.
Regular communication fosters a deeper understanding of the body's responses, aiding in the adjustment of interventions as needed. This partnership ensures a comprehensive and individualized approach to optimal health. Since a person knows their body better than anyone else, open communication allows for better guidance and restorative intervention and techniques.
Holistic health requires careful monitoring and adjustments to be truly effective. Regular check-ins allow your functional medicine practitioner to accurately assess your progress and fine-tune interventions based on your dynamic health conditions. This proactive approach ensures that your treatment plan accurately responds to your changing health needs.
Lifestyle Changes
Holistic health involves more than just treating symptoms; it requires lifestyle modifications and a mindset shift that supports overall well-being. Regular physical activity is essential, but needs to be tailored to your individual needs and preferences with the help of a holistic practitioner. Adequate sleep and stress management techniques, such as mindfulness and meditation, can also contribute significantly to holistic health.
When starting a holistic health journey, practitioners often place a strong emphasis on the role of nutrition in supporting the body's healing processes. They can help new and existing patients identify potential food sensitivities and allergies and integrate nutrient-dense foods that align with their specific needs. Prioritizing nutrition by adopting a whole-food, a plant-centric diet rich in nutrients is a great place to start making simple swaps in a patient's day-to-day life. Supplements may also be considered if deficiencies are identified, but always under the guidance of the practitioner.
Since chronic stress can undermine holistic health, stress-reducing practices like yoga, meditation, or deep-breathing exercises can be great ways to experience positive changes in overall health. Recognizing stress triggers and working towards a balanced and resilient response helps to reduce the effects of stress and foster overall well-being.
Holistic Health is Closer Than You Think
Resilience Health and Wellness is dedicated to helping patients live a balanced and fulfilling life through functional medicine. Along with practitioner-patient partnership and individualized wellness plans, Resilience offers an online Master Class that provides a convenient way to learn more about how functional medicine and holistic healthcare can help you discover and address the root cause of ailments.
Sign up today and get started on your holistic healthcare lifestyle!