Holistic health care, also known as complimentary alternative medicine (CAM), has continued to grow at unprecedented levels as traditional Western dogma is challenged by its own rising costs, the association of side affects, and a burgeoning field of alternative health care methods advocating prevention and treatment through organic food, herbs and traditional Eastern approaches such as acupuncture, reflexology, meditative practices and energy healing. Currently, in the U.S., CAM use has topped 40% with no sign of slowing down. In one study CAM use has even surpassed such time honored practices as the use of prayer (35%) for health related issues.
As someone who has worked in the holistic health field for over 12 years now, I have come to notice a very interesting pattern. The most devout Western medicine practitioners (Specialists, MDs and PhDs of medicine or pharmacology) tend to have a very left brain, “it must be scientifically proven,” approach to medicine and shy away from holistic health practices. Conversely, the most devout Eastern medicine practitioners (acupuncturists, reflexologists, energy healers, homeopaths, kinesiologists, etc.) tend to see traditional Western care and the pharmaceutical industry as more detrimental than beneficial to human health and founded on symptom treatment rather than the etiology of health problems. Interestingly enough, just as science has shown the many benefits provided by various pharmaceuticals, surgeries, and Western approaches, so too has science progressed enough to validate many CAM practices. So why does it seem neither group is willing to embrace the benefits of the other?
In this article I hope to present a method of evaluation and assessment of health concerns that will help the interested individual, the patient, and the health practitioner alike in determining the most effective method for achieving and maintaining optimum health. As many individuals are not willing to utilize one system or the other due to previous teachings, social bias, or a lack of education on the benefits of a system, it seems logical that adhering to the system the individual is comfortable with while gently integrating some of the benefits of the unfamiliar system may be the most effective and acceptable approach. This allows the health practitioner to conform to the beliefs and desires of the individual while doubling the number of modalities he or she may draw on for resolving any health concern.
Both holistic health care/CAM and traditional Western approaches cannot only coexist, but with appropriate attention to patients’ symptoms and the overall state of their health a more affective and truly holistic approach integrating the best of both systems can be implemented. The foundation of this approach is the concept of physiological load.
Physiological load is the sum total of all stressors on the body and is best evaluated by dividing the body into 4 primary systems of systems: musculo-skeletal system (physical structure), visceral system (internal organs), hormonal system, and limbic/emotional system (psychology). These four systems are each essential to our survival and are also intimately related in that they have the ability to reduce excessive stress in any one area by distributing this load into any one or all of the other systems. This protective mechanism insures that no singular system becomes overloaded to the point of total collapse of the whole.
Examples of this system of balancing at work are the Chinese acupuncture meridians and the way they relate organs to muscles and vice versa or the affects of any powerful emotional state on the hormonal system, most aspects of the visceral system (increased heart rate, changes in digestion, etc.) and physiology (posture). The above mentioned affects of emotional states on the rest of the systems will also occur secondary to any traumatic event originating with the structure or organs; such as a car accident or a heart attack. The key in all these examples it the body’s ability to dissipate stress and redistribute it throughout all the systems so that no one system is consumed or overloaded.
One way to think about physiological load is to envision each of the systems as a sink and all of the sinks being connected by one piping system. A stressful event affecting one or several systems would be like adding water to the appropriate sink or sinks and the piping system would be the body’s way of returning to the most appropriate level of homeostasis for longevity of the whole system. Keeping this analogy in mind, reduction of stress on any one system has the affect of indirectly reducing stress on all other systems. One of the most obvious examples of this at work would be the effectiveness of meditation or meditative type practices like yoga, tai chi, and Qigong as a CAM for most all health maladies. These relaxing and stimulating practices which impact the limbic/emotional system and then overflow benefits onto all of the other systems have been shown to aid in everything from cancer to arthritis. A Western medicine example would be the effects of any medication that alleviates a symptom and improves a person’s quality of life, thus increasing their ability to be active, or improving their psychology and thus having a concomitant affect on the other three systems.
The usefulness of this way of looking at things, for the individual seeking optimum health, the CAM practitioner, or the traditional Western doctor, is in determining where the greatest level of physiological load is BEFORE choosing one’s course of action. Because the weakest link in any system will always be the system’s downfall, identification and correction of the weakest link should ALWAYS be undertaken along with any medical or therapeutic approach. Consider that a person of great athletic skill will accomplish little in their sport if their psychology is counter to their physical prowess; or a person being treated in the traditional Western sense for post menopausal symptoms will not last long if degenerative kidney or liver condition is ignored. Conversely, a knee or back surgery patient with a properly functioning digestive system and/or ideally aligned structural system will heal faster due to increased nutritional support and reduced structural stressors respectively. Correcting or eliminating any overwhelming stress on any one of the four systems, be it with Western medicine or the CAM approach will yield the most improvement to quality of life and symptom resolution of minor stressors on any of the other systems.
This model is also beneficial as it allows the individual working with others or looking to help one’s self a way of looking at the big picture and developing strategies that reduce load on ALL systems. Consider the enrichment, physiological and psychological benefits of hobbies, quality time spent with family, or other activities that you find not only fun, but truly stimulating! Think of those activities that transport you away from all cares and worries and bring peace not only to the mind but to the body as well. If you were to think back to when you were younger, when fun and relaxation was not something you planned for but rather something you allowed, what did you do? What brought you the most joy and happiness?
Whatever it was, do you still do it? Most will answer “no,” but these activities, that were once so common sense, so taken for granted, and so valuable, can yield the same or greater benefits today that they provided you as a child. Think of the four sinks and what effect rekindling a hobby or really taking time out for those that mean the most to you would have on the amount of stress pouring in to each of them. What effect would drinking more water, resolving long standing family feuds and releasing the emotional burden, or cleaning up your digestion and improving the quality of the food you eat have?
The answer is, it would have a HUGE effect so start now! The biggest lesson I have learned from the physiological load model is to discount nothing, weigh the affects of everything, and do all you can to drain those sinks so that those effects you can’t avoid can easily be distributed. Follow this approach for maximum vitality and longevity, and if you have symptoms, start this approach; the results will be immediately noticed and carry over to more areas of your health and vitality than you can imagine. May you live in health and happiness.
Jae Sabol is an exercise therapist and holistic lifestyle coach specializing in the integration of Eastern and Western medicine as the ideal approach to creating effective dietary and stress reduction programs, rehabilitation programs (neck, back, shoulder, and hip pain), and programs for general health and longevity.
Jae is a graduate of the four-year Corrective Holistic Exercise Kinesiology (CHEK) Program and a certified CHEK Holistic Lifestyle Coach, Golf Biomechanic, National Academy of Sports Medicine Trainer, International Sports Sciences Association Trainer, and former Instructor for the National College of Exercise Professionals. Jae has also completed training in Neuromuscular Therapy, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Reiki, Hypnosis, Matrix Energetics, Massage Therapy and a host of other holistic practices.
To contact Jae Sabol directly call: (310) 755-4693
For a full bio please visit: www.resonatehealth.com