A Look at Health and Wellness:

a multi-perspective approach

By Jennifer KitchenSeptember 29, 2012

Overview

• Psychological, physiological, and complementary / alternative views when assessing health and wellness.

• Integrative ways of looking at health and wellness. • How is this more effective than viewing health and

wellness from just one single angle?• Program for evaluating a new patient from an

integrative approach.• How to use this approach to view patients’ health

and wellness.

Psychological, physiological, and complementary/alternative views

• Psychological views• Psychological aspects can results in a series of physiological

responses and adaptations that must be considered (Seaward, 2009).

• Physiological views • Common misconception is that physical activity only helps

physical health (Thygerson and Thygerson, 2011).

• Complementary/Alternative views • Wellness is seen as the whole being greater than the sum of the parts

(Seaward, 2009)

Integrative ways of looking at health and wellness from the multiple perspectives.

• The body does it’s best to stay in a relative state of homeostasis, which is imperative to it properly functioning (Thibodeau and Patton, 2008).• Both mind and body health and wellness

• The stress response controls the actions of the endocrine, nervous, and immune systems (Lorentz, 2006).

• Reaction to stress is what causes dis-ease.

• Research shows a mind/body connection (Dacher, 2006).

• Body and mind interaction makes health or illness.

• Mental training can be used to control physiological effects of mental health (Dacher, 2006).

• Physical exercise can help calm the mind.

How is this more effective than viewing health and wellness from just one single angle?

• Meditation, imagery, therapeutic touch, and humor• versus

• Medication and invasive procedures

• Allopathic medicine focuses on disease• Mind-body therapies focus on the whole being

• Mind-body therapies have no side effects and help improve patients’ sense of well-being by letting them be in more control (Lorentz, 2006).

Program for evaluating a new patient from an integrative approach that incorporates both body and mind.

• Practitioner should gain knowledge of patient • Psychological health• Physiological health• Use of CAM therapies

• The Tree of Contemplative Practices is a great guide to what contemplative practices may of use in balancing mind and body (The Center for Contemplative Mind in Society, 2012).

• NO ONE SIZE FITS ALL APPROACH!!!

Using this approach to view patients’ health and wellness.

• Practioners should be open and nonjudgmental to their patients• Mental status• Physical status• Beliefs• Culture and traditions

• Practioners should…• Be aware of programs that will benefit their patience.

&• Promote patients to take part in their own care.

References

• The Center for Contemplative Mind in Society, (2011). The Tree of Contemplative Practices. http://www.contemplativemind.org/practices/tree

• Dacher, E.S., (2006). Integral Health: the path to human flourishing. California: Basic Health.

• Lorentz, M.M., (2006). Stress and Psychoneuroimmunology Revisited; using mind-body interventions to reduce stress. Retrieved from http://www.altjn.com/perspectives/stress.pdf

• Seaward, B.L., (2009).Managing Stress: principles and strategies for health and well-being. Massachusetts: Jones and Bartlett.

• Thibodeau, G. and Patton, K., (2008). Structure and Function of the Body. Missouri: Mosby Elsevier.

• Thygerson, A.L. and Thygerson, A.M., (2011). Fit to be Well: essential concepts. Massachusetts: Jones and Bartlett.