A holistic doctor is educated and trained in traditional medicine and holds a medical degree.
They are capable of addressing all standard medical needs just as a traditional medical doctor would, however they adhere to holistic principles that use a variety of alternative methods to promote physical, emotional and spiritual health as well as encourage a better quality of life for you.
Treatment draws together the wisdom from a variety of different health care modalities and cultures, with no particular treatment option seen as the answer to all health ills. Health, healing and management of disease are acquired through the combination of many different approaches. A holistic medical doctor may find value in both traditional and alternative methods and will combine the two when the situation calls for it.
A good holistic doctor will be well rounded and knowledgeable in many different modalities and be experienced with a variety of different illnesses, diseases and conditions.
They will be skilled in pinpointing and addressing biochemical and metabolic disorders, food allergies, chemical sensitivities, nutritional deficiencies, herbal remedies, homeopathic remedies, vitamin and mineral supplementation, diet plans, lifestyle changes, environmental medicine and even spiritual aspects. This is a great benefit because you can get most of your holistic medical needs met in one place and therefore you won’t have to be running around to five or six different practitioners.
Search tools to locate a holistic health practitioner
Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine
American College for Advancement in Medicine-Locate a Physician
American Association of Naturopathic Physicians
Foundation for Alternative and Integrative Medicine
Institute for Functional Medicine
Directory of Healing Clinics, (includes international)
Cancure Directory of Clinics (includes international)
Directory for holistic dentists