Holistic Medicine Modern medicine or traditional medical practices focus primarily on a patient's physical health as opposed to symptoms. Physical discomforts demand our attention, and it is difficult to ignore the symptoms when our bodies physically hurt. Modern medicine is used in many ways to mask symptoms without looking at the cause. Alternative medicine, integrative medicine and complementary medicine encompass a broader spectrum defined as holistic healing or holistic medicine. Holistic healing is taking an approach that uses an alternative to conventional treatments. Holistic doctors consider the whole person in the pursuit of well-being and optimal health. The philosophy is that by achieving the right balance in life you can have optimal health and well-being. Practitioners believe that the body is composed of interdependent parts: body, mind, spirit and emotions. If each does not function properly, another will be affected and manifest in disease. Holism approaches illness and health by many angels. The belief is to treat the whole self rather than just the disease or symptom. The field of holistic medicine is very diverse. It includes conventional and alternative therapies, but also focuses on lifestyle. Holistic medicine could also include supplements that could produce the same effect as conventional medications. Some use acupuncture, guided imagery, healing touch, yoga, meditation. This list continues with hundreds of options. Holism is a lifestyle approach. “The holistic healer recognizes that our discomforts or pain are simply symptoms of an imbalance (What is Holistic Healing, 2014).” This imbalance can be the result of lack of exercise, insufficient sleep, and an unhealthy… half of the paper… dies. What is holistic healing. (2014). Take a holistic approach. Retrieved from http://Http://healing.about.com/od/faq/p/holistichealing.htm. Natural well-being. (2009, April 1). The History of Holistic Medicine: The Ancient Greeks and Holistic Medicine Retrieved from http://www.naturalwellbeing.com/blog/the-history-of holistic-medicine-the-ancient-greeks-and-holistic-medicineHealing Oceans. (2011). History of holistic medicine. Retrieved from http://www.healing-oceans-family-wellness-center.com/history-of-holisticmedicine.htmlHealth & Balance. (2014, ). What is holistic medicine History of holistic medicine. Retrieved from http://Http://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/what-is-holistic-medicine.Virtualmentor. (2008, N.d.). Holistic medicine and Western medical tradition. Retrieved from http://Http://virtualmentor.ama-assn.org/2008/03/mhst1-0803.html.