Let’s be honest, life is not easy. It comes with a horde of problems, and obstacles on the daily that is sure to cause stress. Even those of us who confidently say that we “manage stress well” still struggle to conquer it on some days, don’t we? Studies have stated that stress has a long-term impact on the body, and may contribute to illnesses of the mind and body which can then lead to poor quality of life. This is where the concept of holistic well-being comes in. What is holistic well-being? Holistic well-being is an approach that takes into account the physical, mental, spiritual, social, and emotional components of health.
Modern medicine, as a result, cannot be limited to the scope of applying theoretical and practical approaches that do not take into account the aspect of holistic wellness. As stated earlier, stress and anxiety can manifest as physical symptoms that do not go away by treating the symptoms alone. The spiritual and emotional aspects that may be contributing to the problem should be taken into account too. This is why there is a pressing need to adopt a holistic approach to look at overall health and well-being. This can be achieved by the union of modalities like human emotion, spirituality, energy healing and western medicine. These are together referred to as complementary and alternative therapy. According to a Market Analysis Report, the global complementary and alternative medicine market size was valued at USD 144.68 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.3% from 2024 to 2030. The same report also noted that the mind healing segment is anticipated to witness the fastest growth rate between 2024 and 2030. The mind healing market brings several new opportunities for growth, including development of new mental health treatments and therapies, expansion of mental health services to underserved populations, and integration of mental health care into primary care.
Contrary to popular opinion, spirituality is not bound by religion. You can be spiritual without being religious. Spirituality is when the soul seeks meaning and purpose in life, through peace and calm. A balance in the expression of human emotion is needed for one to be truly spiritual; practices such as meditation, mindfulness, yoga and energy healing can promote spirituality. By making spirituality a component of healthcare and by incorporating faith, neurobiology, and psychology should be encouraged, we can hope for improvements in overall well-being of patients.
Energy healing is another space that should be explored to achieve holistic well-being. A 2021 pilot study by IONS suggests that energy healing can reduce physical pain. In the study, patients with hand and wrist pain reported an average 2-point decrease in pain on a scale of 1-10 directly after the session. They also reported increased well-being and sleep quality, and less negative emotions.
Modalities in the field of energy healing, like the Body Code identifies and releases energetic blockages that contribute to physical ailments and emotional distress. By employing techniques such as muscle testing and intuitive inquiry, it is possible to uncover the root causes of health issues that range from unresolved emotions, energy imbalances as well as physical misalignments. If these aspects are looked at and resolved through the said practices, then there will be balance in the human body.
In addition to these benefits, the most significant aspect of energy healing is that it allows the individual to take an active role in their healing journey. This is completely different from conventional medical practice where the doctor prescribes something and the patient has little to no idea or say in what mode of treatment is being followed. In the arena of energy healing, clients partner with the practitioners to embark on a collaborative journey that cultivates empowerment, self-awareness and a better understanding of the mind-body connection.
Gone are the days where you should suffer in silence or overlook what is happening within your mind, body and soul. There are a range of programmes and treatment modalities available today that uphold the values of holistic wellness and actively aim to incorporate it in their practices. The medical fraternity has also started accepting the benefits of alternative healing today, and therefore it won’t be long before we see multidisciplinary treatment centres that have the best of both worlds – western medicine and natural healing. This comprehensive and complementary approach can lead to significant improvements in physical, emotional and spiritual health outcomes.
Shared by: Harsiddhi Pancholi, Founder, MPowerU Wellness