Lately, when I talk about managing Hidradenitis Suppurativa with a holistic approach, I often see people turn up their noses.
It can sound as if I am recommending some powerful shaman's magic or something that has little to do with science.
I have noticed the same skepticism toward my book, whose subtitle is "A Holistic Guide to Fighting Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Supporting Remission."
That is why I decided to write this article.
We will start by exploring what the word "holistic" means. We will then look at why the term is so often misunderstood today and why managing Hidradenitis Suppurativa with a holistic approach does not necessarily mean turning away from science.
The etymology of the word holistic
The meaning of the word is actually quite "simple."
However, its often excessive and careless use, both within and outside scientific contexts, has created an aura of mystery around it.
Holistic comes from the Greek word "holos", meaning whole or entire.
According to holistic theory, a system cannot be fully understood simply as the linear sum of its parts.
In medicine, for example, where this word is widely used, and not always with scientific rigor, holism contrasts treating the patient with treating the disease. Within the holistic paradigm, an organism is a system that cannot be reduced to the mechanics of its individual parts.
What does that mean in practice?
When managing a complex, multifaceted condition such as Hidradenitis Suppurativa, we cannot simply focus on "treating the skin" where the condition appears.
We also need to consider other factors that may contribute to those symptoms.
Where conventional medicine can fall short
I do not particularly like the labels conventional medicine and alternative medicine because they can easily be misunderstood. Still, if we look closely at the Western medical model, we can see that it has moved increasingly toward hyperspecialization over the years.
As a result, depending on the medical path they choose, healthcare professionals may become highly focused experts in a single field, such as urology, dermatology, venereology or gastroenterology. This depth of knowledge is valuable, but it can also mean that aspects of the human body outside their specialty receive less attention.
You may have visited several doctors about a particular symptom whose cause was unclear, only to be told that the issue fell outside their area of expertise and to be referred to a colleague in a different specialty.
Of course, this approach has both advantages and disadvantages.
One advantage is having access to highly knowledgeable professionals who can diagnose less common conditions such as Hidradenitis Suppurativa, which many people outside dermatology may not know well. On the other hand, a specialist may focus more on treating the organ or system within their field, in this case the skin, than on considering the person as a whole.
This is one reason why a dermatologist may not explore topics such as hormonal cycles, diet, a patient's psychological wellbeing and other factors that can affect the experience and management of the condition.
Holistic medicine: science fiction or reality?
Another reason the term holistic is often "misunderstood" is its common association with the word "medicine" and with certain practices, mostly of Eastern origin, that still struggle to gain scientific validation.
There are many alternative medicine practices described as holistic, including:
- Acupuncture
- Ayurvedic medicine
- Naturopathy
- Homeopathy
These are just a few examples, but these practices are NOT the subject of my book or the blog you are reading now!
The holistic approach I want to promote is one in which a healthcare professional works closely with the patient and recognizes that managing a condition such as HS should focus on the person, not just the disease, on the factors that may have contributed to a dysfunction and not just the symptom, on the whole system, not just one organ.
Anyone who has read my book or blog knows what I mean. This is my personal experience, not medical advice. I am not a doctor, and HS has no definitive cure.
Many factors may contribute to worsening inflammation in the body, including:
- diet, which can also interact with hormonal and metabolic pathways (I discuss this in several articles, starting with this one and continuing in the articles that follow)
- hormones, particularly female hormones, insulin and stress hormones
- lifestyle factors, such as sleep, physical activity and sex
- emotional wellbeing
- social relationships
- and more
In conclusion...
To conclude, I hope I have clarified what the term holistic means and what this approach can look like when managing HS.
I am sorry to say this, but if the professionals you meet do not help guide you along the right path, you may need to bring together the different "pieces" of the complex puzzle that makes up your health.
I sincerely hope the information on this blog can help you do that while working with qualified healthcare professionals.
Sending you a hug.
Reader comments (0)