Holistic Medicine, EDGE Magazine 2002
by Mark L. Hoch, MD
Incoming President, American Holistic Medical Association

The concept of holistic health is not new to most readers of The Edge. I would like to address it from the viewpoint of a holistic medical doctor, and teacher, who has been involved with holistic medicine on a national level for several years. I recently relocated to the Twin Cities and am glad to be in this wonderful area. 

What is holistic medicine? Holistic medicine is a health-based practice of art and science that helps one achieve optimal health in all spheres of one's being, from the physical, emotional, mental and environmental to the social and spiritual.

How does it work in everyday life? It starts with a comprehensive evaluation that covers the spheres of one's being: what health concerns you have; what they mean to you; what illness and injuries have you had or now experience; what illnesses/problems are in your family; what is your life and social experience; what is the level of functioning of your body systems; what is your emotional and mental state; what environment do you live and work in; what are your daily habits including, sleep, diet, meditation and spiritual practice; what herbs, supplements and medications do you use; what sensitivities and allergies do you have; and what prior evaluations and treatments were done, and what worked and what did not?

After the history/life story is obtained, further information is gleaned from a complete physical exam. This includes a standard medical exam and other appropriate energetic diagnostics, such as a detailed osteopathic exam or traditional Chinese or Ayurvedic assessment if the physician is trained in these areas. At this point, an assessment is made and, in partnership, this is discussed. If further testing is needed to clarify a diagnosis or help define what the best treatment would be, this also would be discussed and arranged. A therapeutic plan is then developed to address all the relevant issues.

Throughout this process, it is critical to follow certain principles. The American Holistic Medical Association (AHMA), which was founded in 1978, has codified 12 principles to insure optimal results. These include:

Client as a person -- Establishing who the person is and not focusing exclusively on identifying symptoms and diseases.

Listen to the client -- The client's needs and insights are just as important as the physician's. There is no better source of information than the source itself.

Whole person -- Illness is viewed as a dysfunction of the whole person or system they live in rather than an isolated event or disconnected piece.

Relationship-centered care -- The quality of the relationship is a major determinant in the effectiveness of any plan. Active, conscious participation is needed from all parties.

Optimal health -- Striving to attain optimal functioning and balance in all spheres of being. This is much more than the absence of a disease or medical diagnoses.

Prevention -- Promoting healthy life choices and screening for habits and risk factors that predispose one to health problems in the future. This is common sense and is also cost-effective.

Focus on cause -- Discern and address problems as close as possible to their cause. This is much more effective than merely treating symptoms.

Opportunity -- Illness, pain, and the dying process are learning and growth opportunities, not senseless, random acts.

Innate healing power -- We all have incredible innate powers of healing in our bodies, minds and spirits, and these are to be invoked and utilized as much as possible.

All effective and safe diagnostic and treatment options -- If a treatment is effective, safe, of reasonable cost and makes sense to the client and physician, it is a good option. There is no room for dogma or anything else that stands in the way of truth and compassion. Treatments from all health systems, including medication and surgery, are good options when appropriate.

Walk the talk -- Holistic physicians must walk their talk and be a living example of practicing holism in everyday life.

Unconditional Love -- This is life's most powerful medicine.

As you can see there is much more to holistic medicine than conventional, alternative and complementary treatments. It is a way of looking at the world, as well as practicing the best quality medicine we are able to in the moment. From my standpoint, holistic medicine is what all healthcare practitioners would ideally be practicing. On a local note, I am glad we had the 2001 Holistic Medicine Review Course and Board Certification Exam here in St. Paul last November. It was co-sponsored by the Center for Spirituality and Healing at the University of Minnesota.

Mark L. Hoch, M.D., is board certified in family medicine and is a founding diplomate of the American Board of Holistic Medicine. He was on faculty of the Columbia University Stamford Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program and has taught at several other family medicine residency programs. He has been a member of the American Holistic Medical Association since 1986, on its Board of Trustees since 1995 and will be President starting in May 2002. He was also the lead physician at the Arizona Center for Health and Medicine, a multidisciplinary holistic center in Phoenix. He has training and practice experience in osteopathy, Trager, mind-body approaches, herbal medicine, diet, nutritional therapies, Qi Gong and spirituality. Dr. Hoch is now practicing at the Wellness Center Etc. at 4201 E. 54th St. in Minneapolis. A major focus of his practice is on body structure and pain issues. He can be reached at (612) 727-2989.

Copyright 2002 Mark L. Hoch