Holistic Health
 by Sheri Burdine

The word Holistic or ‘wholistic’ originates from the Greek word Holos, which means whole. Keith Burdine, owner of Stress Be Gone Mobile Relaxation Therapy, explains, “Holistic Therapy is not one specific therapy, but any therapy that treats the individual as a whole - mind, body, spirit and emotions - to calm the emotional, relax the physical, to bring the person to a vibrant state of well-being, balance and harmony.”   Holistic Healing is a term that can be easily interchangeable with many other names commonly used in the healing community, such as: Alternative Medicine, Complementary Medicine, Holistic Health, Integrative Medicine, and Relaxation Therapy.
“The holistic approach takes the broadest possible view of illness and disease, identifying multiple causes (both internal and external), and offers multi-dimensional ‘healing’, as opposed to specific ‘cures’. It is as concerned with one’s feelings towards disease as it is with its transmission. Keith raises this question, “Can we render ourselves more healthy and disease-resistant before medical intervention is necessary, and more resilient when illness does occur?” The holistic view says yes. For 80% of our modern health complaints - the lifestyle, stress, and behavioral disorders - natural, holistic self-care methods are a viable alternative to drug-dependence, side effects, and expensive, high-tech intervention. The fundamental premise is that the body knows how to be well, given the proper support. Taking into account one’s body, mind, emotions, and spiritual life, holistic health combines the best of modern scientific diagnosis and monitoring techniques, with both ancient and innovative health promotion methods. It addresses not only symptoms, but also the entire person. It emphasizes prevention, health maintenance, high-level wellness and longevity. It views the client as an active participant in the healing process, rather than simply a passive recipient of “health care.” Holistic healing has become the new health paradigm for the 21st century. Keith explains,“ You are in control of your health and well-being, believe it or not.”
Types of holistic healing therapies and treatments include natural diet and herbal remedies, nutritional supplements, exercise, relaxation, psycho-spiritual counseling, reflexology, meditation, breathing exercises, massage, acupressure, trigger point therapy, auriculotherapy, and other self-regulatory practices.
Now, let’s discuss one method of holistic therapy and explain why it’s important to your health, it’s called ‘Massage Therapy’. A physiologist at the University of Stockholm developed Swedish massage in 1812; this is the most common type of massage. Massage Therapy is a very important therapy, contrary to some beliefs. It’s not the foo-foo fluff you see in Hollywood movies. Massage Therapy brings the body, mind, and spirit to complete balance. Massage Therapy is the application of pressure to the muscles and soft tissues of the body for relaxation and health. It addresses a variety of conditions, such as stress-related illnesses, sleep disorders, pain, headaches, high blood pressure, diabetes, and post-operative swelling. The benefits of massage are numerous, including the healing of emotional trauma through healing touch, releasing pain from emotional and physical stress on the body. Massage increases the circulation of blood and the lymphatic system, thus carrying off harmful metabolic waste byproducts that accumulate in the cells of the muscle tissue due to overwork, fatigue or chronic illness. It completely takes away stress and it feels good, so it might be a little foo-foo too.
What to expect: The massage therapist sets up a special table, and then leaves the room so that you can undress and get under the sheet. What you choose to wear or remove is completely up to you and your comfort level. A sheet always covers you, and only the part being massaged is uncovered. Massage oil or lotion is used to make long, smooth strokes and for kneading and friction. Swedish massage focuses on the superficial layers of muscle to enhance circulation, remove waste, relieve muscle tension, and ease pain. Most people find it very relaxing. The session can last 30 minutes or 60 minutes for a full body massage. There are several other methods of massage, such as chair massage, aromatherapy massage, hot stone massage, deep tissue massage, and sports massage. All of these therapies work to bring your body to balance.