The quest for the ideal holistic doctor in NJ can take you down some interesting paths. Many people who claim to be "alternative doctors" may not be medical professionals at all, so it’s important to know what you’re searching for when you explore this line of health care. An alternative medicine doctor practicing in NJ is a certified medical professional who believes that a complementary combination of modern science and natural, traditional methods of health care should be melded to balance both your body and mind at the same time.

There are a multitude of holistic approaches to wellness. However, the most important determinant of wellness is a healthy lifestyle like wholesome eating habits, proper rest and appropriate exercise and recreation. For those seeking professional help, some other forms of treatment may include:

Metabolically Directed Therapy

Medically Supervised Alternative Therapies (provided by a trained and licensed MD)

Nutritional Therapy

Traditional Chinese Therapies

Acupuncture

Acupressure

Aromatherapy

Energy-based therapies

Meditation and/or prayer

Herbal remedies

Homeopathic remedies

Practitioners who believe in a "whole person" approach put their patients as people first and will look at "the big picture" when they are selecting appropriate therapies as opposed to micromanaging specific symptoms or abnormal lab values. It’s important to look for an alternative doctor who listens to you, so that together you can begin on the road to recovery. There are a few other things one should look for when seeking the help of alternative doctors.

DO:

Look for a licensed medical professional who has completed his/her training at an accredited school. The best holistic doctors in NJ are licensed professionals with the degrees to back them up.

Search for alternative doctors who share your philosophy on health and wellness. Your doctor should want to work with you to find the best course of treatment for you. You wouldn’t vote for a candidate who doesn’t share your views, right? The process for choosing a holistic doctor should be just as rigorous.

Make sure your Doctor has the experience in whatever "alternative’ approach they are using. With the popularity of "holistic medicine" – many practitioners have just jumped in to the field without REALLY practicing. A good practitioner should have a minimum of 5 years of full time experience in their respective modalities.

Finding the CAUSE of your problems and not just treating the SYMPTOMS.

Look for someone who will look at treating the "CAUSE" of your disease and not just provide you with a bunch of remedies for your symptoms. This is the #1 differentiator on your ability to successfully recover your health.

DON’T:

Be afraid to try something different! Alternative medicine doctors and practitioners know that it’s difficult for people who "go against the grain" when it comes to more traditional forms of medicine. A good holistic doctor will advise a medical plan that complements pre-existing medications or methods.

Focus on Your Wellbeing with Alternative Doctors

A conscientious holistic doctor focuses on your entire body to determine the ideal approach to finding the cause of your symptoms and curing your illnesses.

"What is a Holistic Doctor"

A holistic doctor is one who sees a person as more than just a collection of symptoms and ailments. This "whole person" approach to medicine can not only help you feel better physically, mentally and emotionally, but will have long term benefits as well. Finding and treating the CAUSE of your underlying problem is the key. Do not settle for a practitioner who just treats your symptoms.

An example you go to see a "holistic doctor" because you are having headaches. The doctor tells you to try this ‘herb remedy" because it is "good for headaches". While herbal remedies may be less toxic and more gentle than medications, all this doctor is doing is treating your symptoms. Instead of using a drug or medication to cover up your symptoms they are using an herbal remedy. This particular practitioner has most likely not found the actual "CAUSE" of your ailment. Therefore the underlying cause of your symptoms may continue to inflict damage to your body. This core problem can eventually lead to MORE and various symptoms.

Symptoms are warning signs that something is wrong with your body. Merely treating symptoms, whether this is with medications or herbs or vitamins, will not lead to significant, long lasting positive changes.

The bottom line; when looking for a holistically minded practitioner, find someone who is well trained, experienced and who will investigate the underlying causative factors contributing to your symptoms. Once these imbalances are identified, treatment is focused on ameliorating the causative problems.