Page 10 - ISI_163_AugustSeptember

Health Care
PAGE 10 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT • AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2020
Holistic Health and Well-Being
Right for You?
BY KATHLEEN MULROY
An increasing number of people are
embracing holistic health and well-being
practices. Still, many skeptics prefer tradi-
tional western medicine to treat their bodily
and spiritual ills.
I confess I used to be one of the scoffers,
until I experienced the benefits of a couple
of holistic health practices for myself.
Practitioners and followers of holistic An increasing number of people are embracing ho- and engaged with their community as long
health and well-being believe if someone listic health and well-being practices. © vtupinamba,
has imbalances in the body, mind, or spirit, Bigstock.com.
these imbalances can negatively affect
the person’s overall health. It’s important ACUPUNCTURE
to look at the root causes of an illness, Acupuncture is an alternative therapy
rather than just stopping or minimizing that used to be considered of dubious value
the symptoms. but is now largely accepted in the western
First, a practitioner will analyze all medical community. I admit to finding it
aspects of a patient’s life and will use a hard to believe—despite the growing evi-
wide variety of medical and psychological dence in its favor—that sticking needles in
therapies to treat the physical or emo- my body could possibly be helpful.
tional illness. After months of elbow pain caused by
repetitive motion, however, I’d exhausted
the regular medical avenue. A friend recom-
mended I try acupuncture, and I reluctantly
LOST RIVERS NEW agreed.
HOSPITAL / FOOT CLINIC PATIENTS After three treatments with a certified
Timothy G. Tomlinson, D.P.M WELCOME acupuncturist, my pain was greatly dimin-
ished. Now I’m a believer!
Ingrown/Infected Toenails • Toenail Problems
Toenail Trimming • Corns/Callouses • Arch/Heel Pain Several holistic health and well-being
Toe/Joint Pain • Diabetic Foot Problems/Care practices are also used in psychology and
208 -252-7655 counseling. I had never taken much stock
Lost River Hospital • 551 Highland • Arco, Idaho in these, but several years ago, my Idaho
therapist suggested I try something called
EFT for a past trauma. I decided it might be
worth exploring.
Schedule a BALANCE DISRUPTED ENERGY
3D Mammography EFT tapping is an alternative acupres-
TM
exam today! sure therapy treatment used to restore
balance to a person’s “disrupted energy.”
It’s been an authorized treatment for war
veterans with PTSD and has demonstrated
some benefits as a treatment for anxiety,
depression, physical pain, and insomnia.
Of course, it might not help everyone, but I
feel that it was useful for me.
Kootenai Outpatient Imaging is proud
to offer the latest in mammogram technology Practitioners of holistic health can
for patients. include doctors of osteopathy, naturopathic
and homeopathic doctors, and chiropractors.
The 3D Mammography™ system provides
three dimensional views for more accurate exams. Even medical doctors sometimes suggest
The technology is currently available at both our holistic practices for their patients. These
Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls locations. might include massage, acupuncture, nutri-
Schedule by calling (208) 625-6300 or tional counseling, and special exercises.
online at kh.org/imaging Psychotherapy, relationship, or spiritual
* Mammography is the most effective screening tool counseling might also be recommended.
used to find breast cancer. It can find cancers at an Full Circle Natural Medical Clinic in
early stage, when they are small and the chance of
survival is highest. 3D Mammography™ detects up Missoula, Mont., offers an area of holistic
to 41 percent more invasive breast cancers and treatment called “Regenerative Medicine,”
reduces false positives by up to 40 percent.
which they say rejuvenates “body function
and tissues” via injections of a variety of
Coeur d’Alene, ID Post Falls, ID
208.625.6300 208.625.6350
hormones and natural substances. Blue
kh.org/imaging Heron Holistic Health in Boise, Idaho,
takes a different approach, using astrology,
Chinese Medicine, and detox teas, among
other strategies, to improve clients’ health
and well-being.
LIfE ASSESSMENTS
Some gerontologists and other medical
practitioners are using aspects of holistic
health and well-being when looking at
treatment options for older adults’ illnesses
and disabilities. Since a gerontologist’s goal
is to keep seniors as active, healthy, happy,
they possibly can, some practitioners don’t
want to rule out potentially beneficial alter-
native therapies. They might ask the patient
to complete a Holistic Quality of Life assess-
ment, which can be an important aspect of
geriatric care management.
This assessment looks at the elderly
patient’s overall function, living situa-
tion, social support, and various aspects
of health, needs, and desires. It can help a
medical practitioner work with a patient to
improve a sense of well-being, productivity,
and quality everyday physical, emotional,
and spiritual experiences.
Other assessment tools might include
written and verbal surveys or question-
naires, self-reporting, and journaling.
fINDING HOLISTIC PRACTITIONERS
If you are looking for a holistic prac-
titioner in your area, you can visit the
American Holistic Medical Association
website (ahha.org). The AHMA suggests
you also get a recommendation from some-
one you trust, or contact a credible health
organization, and ask for a recommenda-
tion. You should also find out as much as
you can about the practitioner’s training,
experience, specialties, license, and asso-
ciation with professional organizations and
hospitals.
If you’re a southern Idahoan, you can
check out the Idaho Health & Wellness
Directory for practitioners. If you live in
Montana, there’s a website for the Montana
Association of Naturopathic Physicians;
www.montanand.org.
I suggest that you might want to keep
an open mind about alternative medical
and spiritual practices. As I learned on
a personal level, adding holistic health
and well-being to the traditional western
medical treatment you receive might be the
right approach. ISI