Definition

Noun: A system of healthcare that considers and treats the entire person—including their physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being—rather than focusing solely on a specific disease or symptom. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of all aspects of a person's life in achieving health.

Usage

"Holistic medicine" is used as a non-count noun to describe a philosophy or approach to treatment. It is often contrasted with conventional, symptom-focused medicine. * The clinic specializes in holistic medicine, incorporating nutrition, acupuncture, and stress counseling into its treatments. * She is a proponent of holistic medicine and its focus on preventive care.

Advanced Usage

• As a modifier: The term can function adjectivally before other nouns (e.g., , ).
  • He sought advice from a holistic medicine practitioner.

Variants and Related Words

• Holistic (adjective): Characterized by the belief that the parts of something are intimately interconnected and explicable only by reference to the whole. This adjective is used more broadly outside of healthcare (e.g., ).
• Integrative medicine: A related field that combines treatments from conventional medicine and complementary/alternative medicine for which there is some high-quality scientific evidence of safety and effectiveness. It is often used in a similar context to holistic medicine but with a stronger emphasis on integrating standard medical practices.

Synonyms

• Whole-person medicine
• Comprehensive medicine
• Integrative healthcare (context-dependent)

Antonyms

• Allopathic medicine (in common, though not strictly precise, usage)
• Conventional medicine (when contrasted for its often disease-specific focus)
• Reductionist medicine

Related Phrases and Concepts

• Mind-body connection: A core principle in holistic medicine, referring to the interaction between emotional, mental, social, spiritual, and behavioral factors with physical health.
• Preventive care: A major goal of holistic medicine, focusing on maintaining health and preventing illness before it starts.
• Alternative therapy / Complementary therapy: Specific treatment methods (e.g., herbalism, meditation, chiropractic) that are often employed within a holistic medicine framework.

Noun

1. medical care of the whole person considered as subject to personal and social as well as organic factors
   • holistic medicine treats the mind as well as the body