Many people and practices use the terms homeopathic and holistic interchangeably when it comes to medicine. Unfortunately, this can be extremely confusing to clients who might be interested in pursuing one of these two types of healthcare. Homeopathic and holistic medicine have distinct differences that can drastically influence the type of care that you will ultimately receive. Before you settle on a health provider, you should know which of these two medicinal practices they subscribe to.
If you have been wondering what the difference is between homeopathic medicine and holistic medicine, this guide is an excellent place for you to start finding your answers.
What is Holistic Medicine?
Holistic medicine is based on the idea that a doctor needs to look at the whole picture of a person’s health. This gives them the most accurate ideas about what can be used to treat any underlying issues instead of simply managing the visible symptoms. A doctor who practices holistic medicine wants to do what is best for the entire person using every means available.
One of the main benefits of holistic medicine is the approach to treatment. Doctors often employ traditional means of treatment with pharmaceuticals, lab work, and other things that you would come to expect from functional medicine. However, they also pair that treatment with lifestyle changes and alternative treatments that can address the underlying issue for good. Some of these may include homeopathic treatments.
It’s up to the patient what treatment option they pursue, but a holistic doctor wants them to know that they have all of the options available to them.
What is Homeopathic Treatment?
Similar to holistic medicine, homeopathic treatments want to take a look at the entire person and what could be causing their ailments. Unfortunately, this type of treatment typically does not believe in diagnostic testing to determine any possible causes for an ailment. This can leave doctors guessing or assuming what might be wrong within the body.
The other main difference between the two branches of medicine is the treatment itself. Homeopathic doctors do not believe in prescribing pharmaceuticals to their patients. They do provide patients with some types of medicinal treatments, but they won’t be pharmaceuticals. You can easily purchase homeopathic remedies from the drug store if you wanted to sample them next time you get sick. They believe that the body can heal itself with very little medicine provided. In fact, a lifestyle change may be all that is necessary in order to effect lasting change.
It should be noted that homeopathic remedies are safe and are monitored by government agencies. They are all derived from natural sources, making them more environmentally-friendly ways to cure your ailments.
Holistic and homeopathic medicines both have some unique advantages, but there are key differences between the two of them. When you want the best of both worlds, you should consult a knowledgeable holistic health centre like Imagine Wellness Centre. We can help you get on the track to excellent health using the best of both practices!
