HOLISTIC MEDICINE
Holistic medicine is defined by the Canadian Holistic Medical Association as follows:
A system of health care which fosters a cooperative relationship among all those involved, leading towards optimal attainment of the physical, mental emotional, social and spiritual aspects of health. It emphasizes the need to look at the whole person, including analysis of physical, nutritional, environmental, emotional, social, spiritual and lifestyle values. It encompasses all stated modalities of diagnosis and treatment including drugs and surgery if no safe alternative exists. Holistic medicine focuses on education and responsibility for personal efforts to achieve balance and well being.
Dr. Manso has been practicing holistic medicine since the early 1980's. Instead of treating symptoms, he finds the root of the problem and treats with natural remedies whenever possible. As a licensed MD, he occasionally uses prescription medicines, but he prefers and mainly utilizes herbs, vitamins, minerals, nutrition and life style changes to facilitate the body's own inherent healing. He considers and treats the whole person, mind, body, and spirit.
The term "Complementary Medicine" is often used by "conventional" medical practitioners to refer to noninvasive, non-pharmaceutical techniques used as a complement to "conventional" medical treatments such as drugs and surgery. The term implies that "conventional" medicine is used as a primary tool and the noninvasive, non-pharmaceutical techniques are used as a supplement when needed. In many cases, properly chosen noninvasive and non-pharmaceutical healing techniques plus properly chosen lifestyle changes can completely and safely heal both acute and chronic illnesses. In other cases, "conventional" medicine is only needed in emergencies or when the safer noninvasive, non-pharmaceutical methods fail. In some cases "conventional" medicine will be a major part of a Holistic Healing Plan, but in some cases it is not needed at all.
Integrative Medicine seeks to combine the best of both conventional and complementary medicine to address the biological, psychological, social and spiritual aspects of health and illness. Integrative Medicine physicians are medical doctors who are trained in both conventional and alternative therapies who value the principles of integrative medicine and will professionally guide patients through the various health care systems and treatment options.