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| February 2006 What Has Happened to the Holistic Approach? Dr David Owen, Medical Homeopath is director of The Natural Practice, Winchester. He works with a team of fully qualified and registered practitioners who provide an integrated approach to complementary healthcare. For 20 years, Dr Owen has been working to integrate the best in complementary therapies with the best in conventional drug and surgical treatment available, however he now feels that the two therapeutic approaches, and the communication practicing them are being forced apart. Dr Owen says “ It seems that a truly holistic approach is now further away than it was a decade ago.” Many patients are increasingly viewing their illness as something external to themselves. While many are waking up to the importance of living in a way that will help sustain it, they are completely missing the connection between their bodies and minds Dr Owen feels that the most significant factor in the cause of chronic disease is unresolved negative emotions. He comments “ Patients seem surprised when an unresolved bereavement or a traumatic childhood is linked to their illness, and that the inside and outside are connected.” Those patients who are able to approach their problems using treatments based on their thoughts and feelings as well as their physical symptoms, often move to a new level of health – not just recovering but frequently discovering a new sense of wellness. Patients who like to use natural remedies are turning to the natural therapists in place of their GP’s. The Natural Practice is finding that patients do not always want their GP informed of their natural approach to treatment as they are concerned their GP will not support this. This reluctance seems to be getting stronger because some medical professionals deny that natural therapies have a part to pay. In many ways, doctors only reflect the dominant health paradigm of our time, that pharmaceuticals provide the “wonder cures.” This myth is perpetuated by research funded by those pharmaceutical companies that make millions from the drugs. Dr Owen comments that those interested in investigating natural therapies, are often under-funded or told that only certain studies give reliable evidence – the studies need are fundamentally different from those used in drug research. It makes you wonder how it is possible, despite the realisation of the adverse effects of drugs like HRT and Viox, that drug sales continue to climb! Although many patients are suspicious about taking drug treatment, they often appear to think they have no choice because they are not informed about or encouraged to take alternative routes. Although most private health insurance companies fund some treatments, many patients are denied it because it is not supported by the NHS. The truth however appears that NHS funds are protected for spending on pharmaceuticals, while those natural treatments that can make a significant long- term benefit to the nation are excluded. |