THE INTERSECTION OF PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH

Growing national research on the social determinants of health suggests that access to quality health care contributes only 20% to an individual’s overall health and well-being while social risk factors, behaviors, and physical environment contribute 80%. The social determinants of health (SDH) are the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. They are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life. There is a growing movement to better meet behavioral health needs and improve equity and health by addressing underlying social determinants.

How does whole person health fit into this?

Whole person health involves looking at the whole person—not just separate organs or body systems—and considering multiple factors that promote either health or disease. It means helping and empowering individuals, families, communities, and populations to improve their health in multiple interconnected biological, behavioral, social, and environmental areas. Instead of treating a specific disease, whole person health focuses on restoring health, promoting resilience, and preventing diseases across a lifespan. Research on whole person health includes expanding the understanding of the connections between these various aspects of health, including connections between organs and body systems.

We’ve all seen the words complementary, alternative, and integrative, but what do these terms really mean when it comes to our health? These terms are continually evolving but we will give a brief description below and how it relates to whole person health.

Integrative medicine is health care that uses all appropriate therapeutic approaches—conventional and non-conventional—within a framework that focuses on health, the therapeutic relationship, and the whole person. It is a collaboration between health professionals to provide complete treatment to patients and improve overall well-being. What makes integrated health care unique is the sharing of information among team members related to patient care and the establishment of a comprehensive treatment plan to address the biological, psychological and social needs of the patient. The health care team includes a diverse group of members ie: physicians, nurses, psychologists and other health professionals and it also depends on the needs of the patient.  

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is treatment that falls outside of mainstream healthcare. More than 30 percent of adults and about 12 percent of children use health care approaches that are not typically part of conventional medical care or that may have origins outside of usual Western practice. When describing these approaches, people often use “alternative” and “complementary” interchangeably, but the two terms refer to different concepts:

• Complementary medicine refers to non-conventional practices used together with conventional (mainstream) medicine.

• Alternative medicine refers to non-conventional practices used instead of conventional medicine.

  Complementary Health or Alternative Health approaches can be classified by how the therapy is taken in or delivered.  Types of complementary or alternative health include:

•  Nutritional - special diets, dietary supplements, herbs, and probiotics

• Psychological - mindfulness, meditation, biofeedback, hypnosis

• Physical - massage, chiropractic, yoga, tai chi

• Traditional  - acupuncture, Ayurveda, homeopathy, naturopathy

• External Energy - electromagnetic therapy, Reiki, Qigong

• Senses - art, dance, music, visualization

  If you are considering a complementary or alternative approach, educate yourself about its risks and benefits. Find out what conditions the therapy helps and which conditions it might worsen.

• Herbs and supplements may interact with prescription medicines or other supplements.

• A substance that is natural may not necessarily be safe.

• Herbs and supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. The preparations can differ a great deal from brand to brand.

• It is important to discuss with your health care provider.

• Herbs and supplements should not be thought of as a substitute for healthy eating. The benefits of the nutrients you get through foods in your diet are not necessarily reproducible in a supplement.

• Proper diet, sleep, and exercise are fundamental to your well-being and are necessary to get the greatest benefit from any approach.