The Holistic Approach to Chronic Illness
By Jane Sheppard Harris
We all want our children to be vibrantly healthy and happy. Children
will inevitably get sick at times, but some children are dealing
with illness on a continual basis. Unfortunately, an increasing
number of children are burdened with chronic illnesses or disorders
that can make their lives pretty challenging.
The current system of conventional health care can be enormously
frustrating and lacking in real answers for children diagnosed with
asthma, autism, multiple allergies, attention deficit disorder,
recurring infections, or other chronic health problems. Visits to
the doctor may result in drug prescriptions with which you may not
feel comfortable. The medication may keep the symptoms in check,
but what you really want is for your child to completely heal and
reclaim health and vitality.
The holistic approach to health does not reject conventional medicine,
but is a sensible, complete form of healing that considers your
child’s entire picture of health and uses the best and most appropriate
options for healing. It is a process of strengthening every system
of the mind-body and allowing your child’s natural healing potential
to flourish. Many of the chronic health problems that affect children
will respond best when addressed from a holistic point of view.
Holistic is defined as pertaining to all aspects of human nature
– physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. To approach health
holistically is to consider the mind, emotions, spirit, and entire
body when addressing the health of a person, not just the area that
is manifesting the symptoms. The underlying foundation and prerequisite
for true healing is compassion for the patient, and consideration
of all aspects of the patient’s nature, including the family, culture
and community. Taking all this into consideration, holistic practitioners
choose therapies that are most appropriate for the individual child.
Alternative medicine covers a broad range of healing philosophies,
approaches, and therapies that can be used alone, in combination
with other alternative therapies, or along with conventional medicine.
Most homeopaths, naturopaths, and doctors of oriental medicine are
holistic practitioners, considering all aspects of their patients
and assisting them in achieving a vibrant state of health. But not
all alternative practitioners can be considered holistic, nor is
a conventional medical doctor necessarily not
holistic. Alternative practitioners who believe that all disease
is caused by vitamin deficiencies or spinal misalignments are no
more holistic than a medical doctor who believes that all illness
is caused by germs.
When it comes to medicine, it is beneficial to not have an either/or
attitude. Both conventional and alternative have an important place
in health care and can make a powerful team in certain situations.
Integrative medicine (another word for holistic medicine) is an
emerging system of health care practiced by medical doctors who
respect all valid systems of healing, recognizing the value of each
one. Alternative and conventional treatments are combined in order
to meet the needs of the patient on all levels of healing. The treatments
that are the most effective in helping the patient are the ones
used. It is not a matter of what type of medicine is better. It
is a matter of what works for each patient.
Doctors who practice integrative or holistic medicine establish
healing partnerships with their patients and emphasize prevention
and self-care. They consider the patient’s thoughts, feelings and
beliefs when prescribing treatment. They may incorporate one or
several alternative therapies into their practices and/or work in
partnership with alternative practitioners either through referrals
or by working directly with them. More and more medical doctors
are aligning with integrative medicine and you may
be able to find such a doctor in your area. You can conduct personal
interviews with potential doctors first to get a sense of their
philosophy and how they work.
Finding a holistic doctor can be important, but good health really
begins at home with breastfeeding, good nutrition, quality food,
a non-toxic environment, natural remedies to strengthen immunity,
and mental, emotional and spiritual nurturing. Parents are the coordinators
of holistic health care for children. You know your child’s body,
mind, emotions, and spirit better than anyone else. By carefully
assessing your children in each of these areas, you can prioritize
their needs and focus on what may be diminishing their health. If
you need help from a health professional, you can choose the form
of health care that is most appropriate and coordinate the different
therapies so your children can receive integrated, whole-person
health care.
Healing vs. Curing
We have been taught to look outside ourselves and to call upon
doctors or other health care practitioners to cure us. It is important
to acknowledge that there is a difference between curing and healing.
Curing means the elimination of symptoms or signs of a disease.
Treatment with drugs, surgery, herbs, or other methods may cure
you by relieving the symptoms of discomfort, pain, or disease. However,
unless the underlying pattern of dysfunction is stopped, the symptoms
may recur. Healing goes deeper than curing, and occurs when the
root cause is overcome and the systems of the mind-body, including
emotions and spirit, are strong and vital. Although health care
professionals can help facilitate healing, the ability to heal ultimately
comes from within.
Consider, for instance, recurring infections. Simply taking antibiotics
or an herbal remedy may cure
the present infection. But if the body is overloaded with toxins
and the immune system is weak, the infections may continue. The
impaired immune system and all the other affected systems of the
mind-body must ultimately be healed
internally. To address the problem holistically, there are many
factors to explore. First, the toxic assault on the body needs to
be discontinued by changing the diet and reducing chemical exposures
as much as possible.
Next, all the systems of the body and overall health must be strengthened.
In order to function effectively, the immune system relies on neurotransmitter
activity from the nervous system, as well as nutrients and hormones
from the digestive and endocrine systems. If the other systems of
the body are blocked in some way, there may be problems with immunity.
Furthermore, the immune system is strongly affected by thoughts,
feelings, and beliefs. If your child is frequently sad or angry,
the immune system will become compromised to some extent. Likewise,
plenty of laughter and joy has been shown to strengthen immunity.
So all the systems of the mind-body, including thoughts, feelings,
and beliefs need to be considered.
Practical Use of This Philosophy
Healing is usually not as simple as taking a pill or a natural
remedy. Children are all different and their mind-bodies are complex.
You may hear of a supplement, herb or treatment that has worked
for another child, but this does not necessarily mean it will help
your unique child.
How do you decide which therapies to use for your child’s particular
health condition? It helps to first get a diagnosis to determine
where to begin. Particularly if your child is experiencing symptoms
that are unusually persistent or severe, have him or her checked
out by a doctor first. Then you can focus on specific pieces of
the puzzle and take a look at each aspect of your child to determine
the specific needs. Keep in mind that the body, mind, emotions,
and spirit are all interrelated, each one impacting the others.
Some treatments will affect several or all aspects of your child’s
health. Massage therapy, for example, can positively affect the
circulatory, lymphatic, nervous, muscular, skeletal, digestive and
immune systems as well as providing emotional security and mental
relaxation.
The Holistic Health Assessment
The following factors are important to consider in determining
your child’s entire picture of health. Many chronic illnesses can
be alleviated or healed completely after making certain changes
in these critical areas. Keep in mind that although nutritional,
environmental and structural problems may seem physical in nature,
these factors can greatly affect your child’s mental and emotional
health. Likewise, mental and emotional nurturing can positively
affect the physical body. Your child is one mind-body with all these
interrelated, interactive systems, and emotional stress, environmental
toxins and processed food will impact his or her entire being.
Nutritional
Nutrients are needed to provide energy and assist in the functioning
of your children’s many body processes. Food is a vital part of
health, and diet can be a substantial factor in the cause as well
as the treatment of many health problems. Take a look at what your
children eat on a regular basis. Does their diet give them enough
of the nutrients they need for good health? Do they eat a lot of
processed foods that contain sugar, hydrogenated oils, additives,
or white flour? Is their food mostly organic? Pesticides and other
chemicals can diminish the functioning of the body, particularly
the nervous, hormonal and immune systems
Simple changes to your children’s diet can improve their health
considerably. In addition, you may want to supplement the diet with
vitamins, minerals and herbs. There has been much research done
in this area, and it is best to find out all you can before purchasing
any supplements. A child who has been ill for some time may need
nutritional supplementation under the supervision of a health professional.
A certified or licensed nutritionist, naturopathic physician, medical
doctor specializing in nutritional medicine, traditional Chinese
medical doctor, or herbalist can assist you with nutritional assessment,
diet and/or supplementation.
Even if a healthy diet is eaten, the metabolism may not be functioning
optimally. The food a child eats may not be absorbed into the body
properly, causing the cells and tissues to be lacking in the nutrients
needed. Food sensitivities or allergies can be a major factor for
a child dealing with chronic congestion, behavior problems, ear
infections, or many other puzzling ailments. A doctor specializing
in environmental medicine, a qualified homeopath, or a practitioner
of NAET may be helpful in these situations.
Structural
The structure of the body includes the muscular, skeletal and nervous
systems. The components of these systems give the body support to
stand upright and move around in all directions. The nervous system
controls nerve impulses from the brain that stimulate important
organs and tissue of the body. Improper spinal alignment may cause
patterns of strain and impede the flow of nerve impulses and energy
to certain organs and tissues, which can result in pain or disease.
Chiropractic adjustments can be beneficial in aligning the spine
and unblocking the nerve flow.
The head is made up of many bones that are supposed to move gently
in synchronization with one another to allow for the proper movement
of fluids. Many things can affect the movement of the bones in the
head, including falls, recurrent infections, and birth trauma (especially
if forceps were used). Fluid that accumulates behind the eardrum
can result in chronic ear infections. Gentle movement of the bones
of the head to allow drainage of the fluid can prevent and cure
the infections. Craniosacral work is the gentle movement of the
bones of the head and sacrum. Practitioners who do this work are
usually chiropractors or osteopaths who can also do gentle spinal
manipulations for children. There are also craniosacral therapists
that do this treatment alone or combine it with other therapies.
Many forms of massage and bodywork can help to correct structural
imbalances and alleviate symptoms of pain and tension. Alleviating
the stress in your child’s life is an important aspect of maintaining
structural health and strengthening the nervous and immune systems.
Exercise is a necessity, and yoga can be helpful. Deep breathing,
relaxation techniques, and meditation have been shown to decrease
stress and pain by promoting deep relaxation. Children can easily
learn to do regular yoga, deep breathing and/or meditation.
Unexpressed emotions, physical trauma, poor diet, pollution and
stress can cause the flow of energy in the body to become blocked
or stagnated. This can weaken your child’s immune and other systems.
Acupuncture or acupressure can be helpful in releasing the blocked
energy and strengthening immunity and overall health. Reiki, therapeutic
touch, or energy work can positively affect physical health as well
as mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Environmental
In addition to outdoor pollution, children are continually exposed
to toxins in their food, water, schools, and homes. Extensive research
done over the last 30 years shows a definite link between environmental
toxins and disease. Exposures to synthetic chemicals and natural
allergens, such as dust, molds, and pollen can trigger serious physical,
neurological, and psychological problems. In addition to typical
allergy symptoms such as asthma, eczema, hives and hay fever, environmental
toxins can directly cause, contribute to, or aggravate the following
health problems: fatigue, arthritis, recurrent infections, stomach
aches, constant congestion, headaches, muscle or joint pain, hyperactivity,
depression, bowel problems, bad breath, twitches, auto-immune diseases,
behavioral problems, memory problems, learning problems, and emotional
problems.
Be aware of what your children are breathing, touching, applying
to their skin, and eating. Remember to take environmental factors
into account when you are determining the cause of any disease.
There are numerous tests you can do on your own or with a doctor.
A doctor practicing environmental medicine will do a thorough environment
and nutrition history, as well as a physical examination, in order
to uncover possible contributing factors to your child’s health
problems. Homeopathy, when prescribed by a qualified classical homeopath,
can be very helpful in assisting the body to recover from environmental
insults. NAET can eliminate the body’s allergic reaction to a substance.
Mental-Emotional
There has been an enormous amount of research done on how thoughts
and emotions affect the cells, organs and tissues of the body. Many
researchers and clinicians have reported the negative health effects
of hopelessness, depression and the bottling up of emotions. Thoughts
and emotions actually generate physiological substances that affect
the processes in the body.
The field of psychoneuroimmunology is helping us to better understand
how the nervous, immune and endocrine systems communicate. Neuropeptides
and neurotransmitters are messengers released by the brain that
influence the cellular activity in the body. White blood cells (key
factors in getting rid of bacteria and cancer cells) receive direct
messages from the brain through the nervous system. These are just
some of the communication
paths between the mind and body. Through research and experience,
it is becoming increasingly evident that the mind and body are one
and the same. Your child’s state of mind definitely influences the
development of and the healing of illness.
Emotional health needs to be nurtured throughout pregnancy, birth
and childhood. Listening to your children and honoring their feelings
promotes healthy expression of emotions. Nurturing touch communicates
love, the main ingredient for emotional growth and well-being. Babies
need to be breastfed, held, carried, rocked and cuddled on a continuous
basis.
Does your child freely express his or her feelings and have a strong
sense of self-worth? Has there been a loss of a close relative,
teacher, friend, or pet and has he or she been able to fully grieve
the loss? Has there been any type of physical or emotional trauma
or a traumatic birth? These emotional states can definitely affect
the state of a child’s health.
If needed, a psychotherapist can provide support for and be a guide
for your child’s mental and emotional healing. Art or music therapy
can be very helpful for children to get in touch with their feelings.
Imagery is a fun and powerful mental technique that allows children
to use their imagination to influence their health. They can use
guided imagery to calm themselves down, relieve pain, increase immunity
to disease, increase body image, increase learning or athletic potential,
and promote healing.
Spiritual
Beyond the mind-body connection, there is a source of inspiration
that you can access. This is your spiritual connection. Working
with spirit means reaching beyond your understanding of your own
limits to access a greater healing power. You can bring this healing
power into your life and your child’s healing. It can take the form
of prayer, inspiration, intuition or insight. In his book The
Healing Journey, O. Carl Simonton, M.D., oncologist and director
of the Simonton Cancer Center states “our work with patients has
demonstrated that health involves body, mind, and
spirit. And while the mind alone can be used to influence the physical
state, it is used most effectively when it is aware of spirit.”
It is not necessary to subscribe to a particular religion in order
to work with spirit. You can explore your own beliefs about what
spirit means to you. Intuition, gut feelings, hunches, meditation,
and prayer are only a few of many spiritual processes. When you
pay attention to these “gifts”, you can increase your awareness
of your child’s health condition and gain important insights to
help you in your parenting decisions. You can help your children
to access their spiritual connection by teaching them to pray, discussing
your beliefs, reading spiritual books, attending church, helping
others in need, creating rituals, attuning to the moon and the seasons,
and taking walks in nature. Nature is a potent healing force and
an essential part of the healing process. Meditation is suitable
for children and can be as simple as observing or counting breaths.
Teaching children prayer or meditation trains them to tune in to
their spiritual lives and to notice the many ways in which they
are blessed. The Whole Parenting
Guide, by Alan Reder, Phil Catalfo, and Stephanie Renfrow
Hamilton (Broadway Books, 1999), provides ways to teach children
different types of prayer and meditation.
A recent double-blind study looked at the effects of prayer on
heart attack patients. These patients all received the same high-tech
coronary care, but half were also prayed for by name by prayer groups
across the country. The group that was prayed for had fewer deaths,
faster recovery and used fewer medications. (Randolph C. Byrd, Positive
Therapeutic Effects of Intercessory Prayer in a Coronary Care Unit
Population, Southern Medical
Journal, Vol. 81, no.7, July 1993, pp. 826-29) This is one
of many studies done that suggest a healing connection to prayer.
Larry Dossey, M.D, author of the best-selling books Healing
Words: The Power of Prayer and the Practice of Medicine and
Prayer is Good Medicine,
has looked at 160 of these studies. In talking about prayer, he
notes, “…interestingly, the studies on prayer show no correlation
between religious affiliation and the effects of prayer in the laboratory.
The factors that seem to work are love, compassion, empathy and
deep caring.”
In summary, approaching health holistically means that you strive
not only to be free from disease, but also to create deeper healing
on all levels. Preventive measures of holistic health can become
a way of life for the whole family.
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Use the information provided on this site as an educational resource for determining your options and making your own informed choices. It is not intended as medical advice or to diagnose, prescribe, or treat any specific illness.