Finding Your Way Through The Holistic Health Care Maze by Beth Prins Leas
***image1***So, you’re looking for relief from your health problems and the stress of everyday living—and you want results. You’ve tried the traditional medical route and aren’t completely satisfied. You ‘re ready to explore the world of holistic health and are feeling overwhelmed by the volume of information available at your fingertips. The list of modalities is endless – naturopathy, homeopathy, acupuncture, herbal medicine, energy medicine, hypnosis, yoga.
All these holistic approaches to health consider you as a whole — body, mind and spirit — rather than just an individual complaint or set of symptoms. But how do you find your way through the holistic healthcare maze?
J ust follow the 4 C’s:
Connection Find a practitioner you resonate with. Holistic health centers with practitioners of many different modalities are great resources and will refer you to the appropriate health care provider. Friends are also great sources for referrals. Speak with the practitioner and listen to the questions they ask you. Do you feel comfortable with them?
Communication Does the healthcare practitioner have good communication skills? And equally important — are you able to communicate effectively with them? Typically, holistic practitioners are using very understandable terms, and there is not the distance and imbalance in power that often exists between the physician and the patient. To a good holistic practitioner, it’s as important to know what patient has the disease, as what disease the patient has. The process of getting to know you takes time and efficient communication.
Collaboration Is the practitioner well connected to other holistic practitioners and the medical community? It is the meeting, connection and integration of both the traditional and complementary approaches to health, which is most effective. A healthcare practitioner who has connections to other resources and knows when to collaborate and make referrals will best be able to guide you on your journey to health and well-being.
Collaboration also includes working in partnership with you to promote wellness and healthy lifestyles. Do they provide you with self-help tools you can use? The results are dramatically improved by having a balanced relationship with your healthcare provider and becoming more involved in your healing process
Commitment — Are you willing to make the commitment to yourself— to your health, well-being and personal growth? Commitment acts as a bridge between where you are now and where you want to be. Your focus on your commitment is what carries you from your health problems and stress to the relief you seek. There are no quick fixes. As you honor your commitment on a daily basis, you become empowered. Commitment is power and it will create miracles in your life.
So, you want to find your way? Just follow the 4 C’s . . .
As Founding Director of the Total Life Care Center, a holistic health and resource center in Norwalk, CT, she has created a community of healthcare providers who share a common goal — to heal and empower the whole self. The TLC Center has over 50 Members, including medical doctors, naturopaths, massage therapists, nutritionists, chiropractors, reflexologists, psychotherapists, energetic healers, hypnotists — all of whom recognize the benefits of working together in an integrative manner and in partnership with their clients to promote wellness and healthy lifestyles.
For more information about the Total Life Care Center, please visit www.tlccenter.com or call 203-853-4852.
Beth Prins Leas
Total Life Care Center
152 East Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06851
203-853-4852