Holistic/Alternative Practices
Aaron Wolpert and Warren Barnhart
Essential Questions
1. How can alternative medicines benefit your health?
2. How does alternative medicine differ from allopathic medicine?
3. In your opinion, is alternative medicine viable as treatment?
What is a Holistic Health Practitioner? What is Holistic Healing?
The difference between holistic and allopathic medicine
Alternative medicine is any healing or wellness practice that is not based within the conventionally system of medical doctors, nurses, and hospitals. Allopathic medicine classifies all of the conventional medical practices that we use today is the western world.
Holistic vs Allopathic Medicine
- Allopathic has been backed by many scientific studies.
- Holistic medicine has not had many, in-depth, scientific studies performed on it.
- Allopathic medicine is traditionally used in the developed, western world.
- Holistic medicine is traditionally used in underdeveloped and traditional societies.
Examples of Alternative Medicine
- Homeopathy - Theory stating that the causes of a set of symptoms is also the cure.
- Naturopathy - Medicine based on the healing powers of nature.
- Herbal Medicine - the practice of using the medicinal and therapeutic uses of plants.
- Chiropractic - the practice of reducing stress on the spinal column and nervous system by maneuvering vertebrae.
- Acupuncture - Process of inserting small needles into the skin to relieve bodily pain.
Locations in Lancaster
- Han Shi Acupuncture
- West End Yoga
- Natural Healing Center LLC
- Family Chiropractic of Lancaster County
- Blue Skies Chiropractic Health Center
Advantages and Disadvantages of Holistic and Allopathic Medicine
- Allopathic medicine has been backed by many scientific studies.
- Holistic medicine has not had many, in-depth, scientific studies performed on it.
- Allopathic medicine often has many side-effects
- Holistic medicine has no side-effects
- Holistic doctors are less common than allopathic doctors
- Allopathic medicine is often very expensive