What is holistic medicine? This approach to wellness focuses on treating the whole patient, not merely the symptoms of their disease. As such, it stands in stark contrast to many western techniques, which compartmentalizes problems — a broken leg or an anxious mind.

The ever-emerging science teaches us that the human body works together as a cohesive whole and responds better when treated as such. Here are five reasons I advocate for holistic medicine.

Holistic medicine focuses on treating the whole patient, not merely the symptoms of their disease. Here are five reasons I advocate for holistic medicine.

1. It Treats Mental and Physical Pain

What happens in your mind affects your body and vice-versa. If you need proof, all you need to do is think back to the last time you felt nervous. Chances are, your saliva dried up, your palms grew sweaty and your stomach revolted a bit.

Holistic medicine understands that various components come together to create the complete picture of an illness. For example, the disease of addiction encompasses physical, mental, emotional and even spiritual aspects. While certain medications can decrease the physical desire someone feels for alcohol or certain drugs, relapse is nearly certain once the person stops taking their prescription if they continue frequenting the same people and places they once associated with use.

Likewise, physical illness can lead to mental anguish, particularly in the United States, where the financial ramifications of getting too sick too young prove overwhelming for many. People with disabilities often struggle with frequent job loss, even homelessness, as they battle to navigate a complex system. Losing everything and making difficult decisions between housing, food and medication needs increase anxiety and depression in many.

2. It’s Available to More People

Holistic medicine offers one distinct advantage to many who struggle to afford the high cost of health care in America. It encompasses modalities such as the following:

Nutritional interventions
Herbal supplements
Movement therapy and yoga
Chiropractic care
Acupuncture
Art therapy
Outdoor therapy
Mindfulness

As such, it’s available to people of all income levels. While a therapeutic massage or acupuncture session might cost a pretty penny, anyone can learn how to eat better and move their bodies in ways that benefit their overall health.

You can also master many holistic techniques at home. For example, you and your partner can learn how to give each other massages. Doing so will cement your bond while easing any aches and pains.

Best of all, you can access holistic treatments anytime and anywhere you may need them. For example, if you feel a panic attack start to creep up on you at work, your colleagues won’t notice if you practice 2-to-1 breathing at your desk or silently recite the alphabet backward while staring at your monitor.

3. It’s (Usually) Free From Adverse Side Effects

Pay attention the next time a medication commercial comes on television — you probably won’t have to wait long for such an ad. Did you notice the fine print and the lengthy disclaimer, starting with, “side effects may include..?”

Holistic medicine generally comes free from adverse side effects. For example, taking a walk in nature can improve mild depression while lowering your cardiovascular disease risks. The only unintended consequence might be having to tighten your belt another notch after you shed a few unwanted pounds.

The one exception occurs with herbal preparations, particularly if you also take prescription or over-the-counter medications. For example, taking St. John’s Wort with certain antidepressants can cause a life-threatening overload of serotonin. Using white willow bark with aspirin can thin your blood too much, leading to dizziness and possibly exacerbating stomach ulcers. The bottom line: check with your doctor before mixing herbs and pills.

4. It Offers Genuine Hope for a Cure

The for-profit medicine model that reigns supreme in the United States creates one inherent problem: there isn’t as much money in making people well as in keeping them on ongoing treatment. Some people do need to be on medications for life. However, others could more readily manage their conditions through holistic means, no drugs necessary.

For example, 42% of fibromyalgia patients say that their symptoms increase after eating certain foods. Many people with this disease may, in fact, have undiagnosed food allergies. Western doctors may reach for the prescription pad, suggesting various medications for off-label use, while all the patient may need to do is identify the offending substance and avoid it.

5. Most Doctors Don’t Learn Much About It

My best friend and running partner is a physician and senior researcher at one of the most prestigious universities in America. She recently floored me when she said I probably knew more as a health blogger than she did about holistic medicine. I had to reattach my jaw to my face when she confessed her medical school education didn’t include a single nutrition course.

As knowledge advances, more medical schools today have added integrated medicine to their course offerings. Still, many doctors remain woefully unprepared to employ these treatment modalities. If you learn enough about how your body works as a complete whole, you might teach your physician a thing or two — which makes you feel pretty smart.