Holistic therapy is a type of therapy that addresses the body, mind, and spirit to support healing and health. The therapy is very similar to counseling or general therapy but it often draws on alternative and complementary practices.
The goal of this therapy is to help patients develop a deeper understanding and well-being on mental, physical, and emotional levels. The therapy uses a holistic framework and evidence-based treatment and is often designed to the patient’s individual needs.
In other words, we can say that holistic therapy combines emotional and mental health with spiritual and physical aspects of experience. For instance, a person suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may experience trembling and physical pain.
In addition, the individual may also have no trust in the world and does not consider it a nurturing, safe place. Here, holistic therapy can help the individual by addressing all the symptoms whether they are emotional, physical, or even spiritual.
How Does Holistic Therapy Work?
The concept of holistic therapy says that an individual’s consciousness and self-perception are not present in one particular area. It is the integration of the whole individual including their mind, physical body, emotions or feelings, and spirit.
With the help of holistic therapy, individuals get aware of connections between the body, mind, and spirit by using various techniques. As a result of these techniques, the individuals develop a deep understanding of themselves that often leads to improves self-awareness and self-esteem.
When it comes to holistic treatment, many therapists try to use the individual’s symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and even substance use as a technique to increase high-awareness. Actually, it is a concept of mindfulness that attempts to get full awareness of oneself.
The therapists try to get individuals to accept themselves as they are, and where they are. At the moment they attempt to make them recognize themselves on a deeper level. Once individuals accept themselves as they are, they can easily realize the causes of distress and depression. Visual imagery, relaxation, and other bodywork techniques are helpful to assist individuals in these issues.
Sometimes, it is also based on the notion of energy work. The energy work focuses on correcting blockages and imbalances in the natural flow of energy in the body. Acupuncture and Reiki are examples of energy work in holistic therapy.
Related Article: Does Holistic Addiction Treatment Work?
Who Is Holistic Therapy Good For?
Many people can benefit from holistic therapy. However, it is particularly good for people suffering from depression, anxiety, trauma, stress, and PTSD. Sometimes trauma is considered a mental health problem but it can also cause a physical problem as well.
Furthermore, holistic therapy can also help with physiological symptoms such as digestive troubles and muscle tension. It is not necessary to have a mental health symptom or condition to seek help from a holistic therapist. If you want to know more about yourself and learn various aspects of well-being, you can get benefit from holistic therapy.
Types Of Holistic Therapies
Various complementary therapies are included in holistic therapy. Some common types of complementary therapies that are a part of holistic therapy are:
- Meditation
- Breathwork
- Stress management
- Somatic experiencing
- General therapy
- Hypnosis
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Acupuncture
- Yoga
- Massage
- Tai chi
- Cranial sacral therapy
- Grounding
- Reiki
- Sound baths
Note: There are many other techniques that therapists used in holistic treatment. Above mentioned therapies are just a few examples.
Reiki
It is a Japanese form of energy healing. It involves an individual lying peacefully on a mat or table. A practitioner gently places his hands on the person’s body to free energy that is stuck in the individual during periods of trauma and stress.
A study was conducted on Reiki in 2019 that states this technique can reduce anxiety and depression and improve the overall quality of an individual’s life. In addition, it is also suggested that Reiki is a useful technique for end-of-life care. However, more research is required in this regard.
Sound Healing
A sound bath is a type of healing in which therapists use singing bowls. These sounds bowls generate vibrations that change the brain waves and improve brain health. In addition, these bowls can also improve the chakra systems. The chakra systems are energy centers linked with specific organs.
Breathwork
Breathwork is a type of therapy that regulates the nervous system of an individual through breathing. In addition, it can also help with trauma treatment; however, in some individuals, it can also cause triggers. So, it is essential to consult with a professional healthcare therapist before doing breathwork therapy.
Meditation And Yoga
The basic purpose of meditation is to enable an individual to remain present at the moment. Experts say that meditation can improve mental clarity, help stress, and increase self-awareness. Similarly, yoga increases the connection of mind, body, and spirit through movement, breath, and mindfulness.
Acupuncture And Massage
Acupuncture is a technique in which a practitioner triggers specific points in the individual’s body by inserting needles. The treatment help with pain and headaches.
When it comes to massage it includes heavy and light touch. It is a common means of releasing physical pain and also helps in emotional and mental health. However, research is incomplete on it.
Tai Chi, Cranial-Sacral Therapy, And Grounding
The other name of Tai Chi is meditation in motion. It originated in ancient China and is a form of martial art that has low impact. This technique helps with stress. In addition, when it comes to cranial sacral therapy, aims to relax a person through light touch.
It is of great help to treat severe trauma when used in combination with psychotherapy. On the other hand, grounding makes a connection between one and all of your senses and increases your awareness of the present.
Grounding involves smelling your morning tea, feeling your feet on the ground, or noticing the color of the sky. This technique is also helpful for PTSD, anxiety, emotional regulation, and sleep.
