www.petloverscompanion.com • 703.780.4400 25 continually manifest symptoms that may or may not occur the same way time after time. In conventional medicine we tend to believe that if one is not sick, that they must be healthy. The symptoms are seen as the problem and once the symptoms are under control, the patient is no longer sick. Medication is chosen that can help control any symptom of a disease process. The Holistic approach views symptoms as the body’s attempt to return itself to a state of health, not just a state of “not sick.” Therefore the therapies are directed at aiding this process, not just removal of symptoms. Energy There is an underlying idea that the individual is an “energetic being” and that the state of this “energy field” is reflected on the physical plane creating the state of health which the individual perceives. The therapies are therefore directed at stimulating the energy field to return to a state of balance and normal flow. In Chinese Medicine this energy is called the Qi and in Homeopathy it is called the Vital Force. Disease and health manifest on 3 levels The energetic state manifests on the physical, mental and emotional levels; so an imbalance may manifest on any of these levels. In fact, an imbalance, or state of ill-health, does indeed manifest on all 3 levels at the same time. We may not be able to appreciate the imbalance, but it is present none the less. An imbalance in the individual may start on one level and symptoms may develop on that level or any of the others. The correct therapy may therefore be to balance an area that does not appear to be where the current problem is, but will lead to the deepest healing result and act to prevent future problems from occurring. From this we can see why a “Holistic” approach requires obtaining information about areas that do not appear to have a direct connection with the presenting complaint; i.e. evaluating the whole patient. An example could be a tendency to stress diarrhea: treatment of a single episode would not help to prevent future episodes, but treatment of the underlying weakness will not only help this episode, but can help prevent future episodes. There are a variety of therapies available which can increase the level of health. The majority of these Holistic therapies work by stimulating the body’s own natural repair mechanisms and so tend to have a low potential for negative results. Not all patients respond and response can sometimes take a while to manifest. The many patients the symptoms are resolved and they end up much healthier. Arlington-Shirlington’s Premier Boarding Facility Come in for a tour! HOURS ������������������������������������������������ �������������������������������������� A State-Of-The-Art Home Away From Home �������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������ �������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������������������� 3520 S. Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22206 703-382-9143 www.TheBoardHound.com
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