Things You'll Need:
- Computer with Internet access
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Step 1
Know yourself. Holistic medicine works best for people who have a strong desire to take responsibility for wellness and health in their lives. If you simply want a doctor to give you a prescription for a specific ailment, holistic medicine is probably not for you.
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Step 2
Know whether you're willing to work towards balance in your life. The cornerstone of holistic medicine is the effort to achieve emotional, mental, physical and spiritual balance. If you'd like to work with a practitioner that's interested in your emotional balance, you may find holistic medicine helpful.
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Step 3
Know whether you're willing to be frank with a physician. Holistic physicians will normally ask you to tell them about all the factors in your life that could be contributing to your problems. If you're not comfortable discussing things such as an impending divorce or job stress with a physician, you may prefer another type of medicine.
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Step 4
Be realistic. Holistic medical treatments often encompass activities such as yoga or eating whole foods that can be more time-consuming than many conventional Western medical treatments. Decide whether you're ready to make the kind of lifestyle changes that holistic medical treatment may require.
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Step 5
Learn more about holistic medicine by visiting the "American Holistic Health Association" Web site (see Resources below).
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Step 1
Consider treatments like acupuncture or holistic massage to handle body aches and pains.
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Step 2
Begin regular yoga or tai chi practice to balance your mind and body. Exercise and spiritual centering are important to holistic medicine. It's believed that these practices offer both. Learn more about tai chi at MayoClinic.com (see Resources below).
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Step 3
Broaden your options. Alternative health options like reiki and hypnosis may offer benefits to those who are open to them. Consider investigating a range of alternative health practices to see what appeals to you. You can find information on a variety of alternative health treatments at MedicineNet.com (see Resources below).
