Holistic therapy involves treating the “whole” person — mind, body, and spirit — rather than just a symptom or illness. This type of therapy can include traditional and nontraditional methods to support overall health and well-being.

While this approach tends to be more popular among practitioners of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), many people engage in forms of holistic therapy alongside contemporary medicine.

Some of the many types of holistic therapy include herbal remedies, massage, meditation, and mindfulness. Other types, such as dance, yoga, and art therapy, may help a person express themselves emotionally. This may help with managing anxiety, depression, or emotional or social factors that may cause stress or illness.

This article explores holistic therapy in more detail, describing the various types and their potential benefits and risks.

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Holistic therapy is an umbrella term for a therapeutic approach that involves focusing on the connections between the mind, body, and spirit, rather than a specific symptom or illness. In this way, holistic therapy differs from contemporary Western medicine.

Practitioners of holistic therapy believe it can help address not only a person’s physical health, but also their emotional and spiritual wellbeing, with the aim of helping them heal on a deeper, more intimate level.

Holistic therapy may:

  • include aspects of contemporary medicine alongside alternative practices, such as counseling for anxiety with therapeutic massage
  • aim to help a person cultivate emotional balance, self-awareness, and techniques to manage mental and physical conditions
  • draw from various practices, cultures, and traditions

The history of holistic therapy

Holistic therapy stems from the ancient Greek philosophy of a natural approach to medicine and healing, led by Hippocrates, the “father of medicine.”

His belief in the connections between the mind, body, and soul laid the foundations of Ayurvedic medicine in India, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and modern Western healthcare.

Around the 1960s, many people in the West began taking a more holistic approach to health, drawing inspiration from the “whole medical systems” of other cultures. Many of the holistic therapies this article refers to have roots in Ayurvedic medicine and TCM.

Although holistic approaches tend to be more popular among CAM practitioners, doctors and other healthcare professionals may also approach treatment for certain conditions holistically.

This may involve encouraging a person to take an active role in improving their health and well-being, for example, through mind and body practices such as yoga.

Learn more about CAM.

Examples of holistic therapies includeTrusted Source the following:

Mind and body therapies

Mind and body therapies involve combining mental focus, breathing, and body movements to promote relaxation. A person may try:

  • Meditation: Meditation involves a person training their attention and focus on an object, thought, breath, activity, or mantra. It can helpTrusted Source reduce stress, depression, pain, and various other symptoms.
  • Mindfulness: Mindfulness, which has roots in Buddhism, focuses on awareness of the present moment. It can help people reduce stress, cope with difficult thoughts, and improve their emotional well-being.
  • Hypnotherapy: Hypnotherapy may guide a person into a deeply relaxed or trance-like state and can help with changing habits or behaviors.
  • Yoga: Yoga is a popular ancient Indian practice that combines breathing with physical postures. It has several researched benefits, including building strength and harmony between the mind and body. It also increases flexibility, reduces stress, and improves energy and cardiovascular health.
  • Tai chi: Tai chi is a type of martial arts where a person uses a series of flowing motions and body movements to help them achieve a meditative state of mind. It can also helpTrusted Source improve balance, reduce stress, and increase flexibility and strength.
  • Qigong: Qigong involves using breathing, movements, sound, and massage to benefit the mind, body, and spirit.
  • Art therapy: Art therapy is a creative outlet that encourages expression through painting, drawing, modeling, or other forms of creating art. It can help a person express how they feel without verbalizing it.
  • Music therapy: Music therapy involves encouragingTrusted Source expression through creating music.
  • Relaxation: As well as those mentioned above, relaxation techniques may includeTrusted Source exercises such as box breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and guided imagery.

Natural therapies

Biologically based holistic therapies can include:

  • Botanicals and herbal remedies: Properties in certain plants and other natural substances may help treat ailments. An example would be taking St. John’s wort herbal supplements in place of antidepressants.
  • Supplements and vitamins: Supplements, vitamins, and minerals can provide extra nutrients to the body, though most nutrients come from a balanced diet.
  • Diet adjustments: Having a healthy diet can help with various ailments. For example, a person may avoid processed foods and focus on consuming vegetables, fruits, grains, and proteins.
  • Homeopathy: Practitioners of homeopathy claim that diluted substances can treat various illnesses. However, there is no high quality evidence that homeopathy can treat any health condition.

Body therapies

These involve a therapist working with one or more parts of the body. Examples include:

Energy therapies

People who practice energy healing claim to be able to help balance energy fields throughout the body. While there is not enough evidence to support the existence of these fields, these approaches do not have harmful effects.

Some examples include:

  • Reiki: A reiki practitioner aims to move “stagnant energy” in the body by placing their hands on a person’s body.
  • Therapeutic touch: This type of massage involves trying to send healing energy into a person’s body through touch.

According to proponents of holistic therapy, its benefits may include a better understanding of the self, potentially leading to a better understanding of a person’s health and well-being.

Benefits may relate to each treatment but could include:

  • easing stress
  • helping reduce symptoms of certain mental health conditions or trauma
  • addressing spiritual concerns, such as feeling lost or incomplete
  • helping with body aches and fatigue
  • copingTrusted Source with side effects from cancer treatments
  • gaining improved general well-being and an increased sense of agency over health and wellness

The overall riskTrusted Source associated with holistic therapy is that some people may use it instead of conventional medicine. Some holistic therapies have not undergone any testing or have no scientific evidence to support their efficacy for treating or helping manage any health condition.

A person should also note that unqualified holistic practitioners may cause more harm than good, and each different therapy may have its own risks. For example, some herbal remedies supplements could cause adverse reactions or toxicity.

Complementary therapies can be helpful alongside conventional medicine, particularly when a person is experiencing mental health issues. However, a person should always speak with their doctor before trying any new therapies.

A trained and qualified practitioner or healthcare professional should always carry out holistic therapies and CAM.

Holistic therapies involve looking at a person as a whole, aiming to support the health of their mind, body, and soul, rather than just treating symptoms of illness.

These types of therapies include yoga, tai chi, herbal medicines, massage, and reflexology. Complementary therapies can be beneficial alongside conventional medicine. However, a person should always speak with their doctor before trying new therapies.