Clinical holistic medicine: chronic pain in internal organs.
Holistic medicine seems to be efficient in the treatment of chronic pain in internal organs, especially when the pain has no known cause. It is quite surprising that while chronic pain can be one of the toughest challenges in the biomedical clinic, it is often one of the simplest things to alleviate in the holistic clinic. These pains are regarded as being caused by repressed emotions and are explained as psychosomatic reactions. Using holistic medicine, the patients can often be cured of their suffering when they assume responsibility for the repressed feelings. The holistic process theory of healing states that the return to the natural (pain free) state of being is possible whenever the person obtains the resources needed for existential healing. This shift is explained by the related quality of life and life mission theories. The resources needed are "holding" or genuine care in the dimensions of awareness, respect, care, acknowledgment, and acceptance with support and processing in the dimensions of feeling, understanding, and letting go of negative attitudes and beliefs. The preconditions for the holistic healing to take place are "love" and trust. Obtaining the full trust of the patient, therefore, seems to be the biggest challenge of holistic medicine, especially when dealing with a patient in pain.
Ventegodt
Søren
S
The Quality of Life Research Center, Copenhagen K, Denmark. ventegodt@livskvalitet.org
Merrick
Joav
J
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D059408:Pain Management