Center For Holistic Medicine
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    • Acupuncture
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    • Nancy Hyton, Acupuncture, Chinese Herbs
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Home What We Treat Holistic Philosophy

Our Philosophy

Different therapies are more appropriate for different conditions and different types of people.
We are all different, in fact we are unique.  Because of this, a therapy that works for one person may not work for someone else. Conversely, a therapy that works really well for one type of condition may not as effective for others. This is why we offer you both alternatives to conventional, western medical treatments and options within the field of holistic medicine.  Some who come to us prefer a specific therapy, some enjoy the synergistic benefits of certain combinations, and others like to select a different therapy according to what is most appropriate for their current condition.
 
Our bodies have an innate, natural healing ability.
When we get a paper cut we don't have to consciously think about healing the wound because it will naturally do so on its own. This is how it is with many conditions - they tend to resolve on their own because of the innate healing ability that we all carry within us. However, sometimes we get so out of balance that we struggle to return to health. Perhaps we are too depleted or overworked or we are unaware as to what kinds of foods aggravate our condition so we continue to indulge in them. Maybe we have an old injury that was never properly treated or there are outside factors that are causing us excessive stress and anxiety. Our job as holistic practitioners is to help our patients identify and address the blockages that are preventing them from healing, to educate them and give them effective treatments and medicines, and to nurture and strengthen them so that they can return to balance and wellness.

Our physical, mental, and emotional aspects are part of an integrated, organic whole.
Our bodies consist of a group of interconnecting, coordinated systems that work with and support each other. In holistic medicine there is an understanding that when one system is out of balance it can drain the energy of other systems or cause them to have to overwork to compensate for the under- functioning system. Because of this, most conditions, especially chronic ones, manifest with multiple symptoms and require that we treat the whole person in order to be correctly resolved. Another aspect of this idea is the understanding that there is an integration between our physical self and our emotional self. These two aspects of a person are so connected that physical symptoms frequently can cause emotional symptoms and vice-versa. For example, stress can lead to digestive issues and major illnesses can cause anxiety. Because of this we intentionally treat both the emotional and physical symptoms of our patients, helping to ensure that they feel better on every level.
 
Conditions respond better and are less likely to return when you treat the underlying cause as well as the outward symptoms.
Of course it is important to treat a patient's symptoms.  However, if the underlying condition that led to the symptoms is not addressed as well, they will likely return once the treatment ends.  If doesn't matter if we use prescription drugs or natural remedies to do this, if we approach the condition from this angle it is likely that will have to continue the therapy indefinitely.  Another common problem that occurs when we treat only the symptoms is that we tend to need higher and higher doses of our medications over time, a sure sign that things are continuing to progress under the surface.  As practitioners of holistic medicine we understand that by treating the underlying imbalance as well as the outward symptoms, we can improve our patient's current condition and also help insure that their symptoms do not return.
 
Treatments are more effective when they are tailored to the individual.
Patients respond much better when their treatments are customized according to their specific presentation and unique predisposing factors. For example, two individuals may contract the same bacterial infection but have different symptoms and different underlying conditions. One may have a weak immune system and is suffering with a fever and a headache, while the other may have a history of asthma and has developed a cough and sinus congestion. Treatments that consider and address all of these factors together will be more specific and more effective than ones that don't. As holistic practitioners we truly understand that it is just as important to know what kind of person has the condition as it is to know what kind of condition the person has.
 
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Simply put, it is so much more effective to promote health and wellness than it is to treat disease. By doing things like exercising regularly, eating well, making time for adequate rest and sleep, drinking enough fluids, and working to minimize the stress in our lives, we can help prevent, most conditions. This is because when we are healthy we not only feel better both physically and emotionally but we are also more resilient to disease, with stronger internal organs and systems and more balanced emotions. Another important part of prevention is making the effort to treat conditions in their early stages, before they have had time to advance and take root. This is possible in holistic medicine because every symptom, no matter how mild or vague, has an indication and, therefore, can be treated. Periodic evaluations and treatments with us can help improve your overall level of wellness by not only strengthening your system but also by identifying and correcting conditions in their early stages.
 
Giving care is just as important as having good technical and diagnostic skills.
In order to help our patients we must be able to effectively diagnose and treat many different types of conditions. Beyond that, however, we must also give care. This is a fairly intangible thing that means many different things to many different people, but it is something essential, something that all patients need whether they are suffering with a simple physical complaint or an acute emotional crisis. To us giving care means being compassionate, having positive intentions, and committing to help our patients achieve their goals. It means being gentle, considerate, confidential, non-judgmental, and respectful. It also means being present and taking the time to truly listen and thoroughly answer questions. Above all, to care is to give.
 
Treatments and therapies that are non-invasive and low risk should be used first.
In holistic medicine, more is not necessarily better. Since we already posses an innate ability to heal, most conditions can be addressed with safe and gentle therapies that work with the body, encouraging and assisting it. Toxic and invasive treatments that injure, force, or override the body should only be used when necessary. Extreme therapies may be appropriate in some cases, especially if a condition is life-threatening, but they shouldn't be used by default because they tend to come with major side effects. For example, some common prescription and over-the-counter medications cause significant damage to internal organs like the liver or kidneys, or there are surgical procedures that result in extensive scarring and injury to the soft tissues. Therapies like these should not be used when there are safer alternatives available that can be just as effective, and that is exactly what we as holistic practitioners have to offer our patients.
 
Symptoms may be part of the body's healing strategy and are not always pathological.
Symptoms can be evidence of our body's attempt to normalize or adapt to deeper imbalances in our health. They are not the cause of our condition, but indicators that our bodies are trying to return to balance and wellness. This is not necessarily a pathological process and, in fact, these adaptations are often very successful at resolving our issues and should not be suppressed. For example, a high fever may be dangerous but a mild fever can help us fight off a viral infection to resolve a cold. Symptoms can also be helpful signals, consciously letting us know that there is an issue at hand. A common example of this is the type of pain that stops us from spraining or straining an already compromised muscle, preventing us from causing a more serious injury. Other times, however, our internal healing strategies are not effective, and our symptoms advance and escalate. When this occurs it is appropriate or even necessary to treat the symptoms. This is when your health care practitioner can be of assistance, giving advice, medications, and treatments that can help you return to balance.
 
An educated patient is an empowered patient.
Part of our job as practitioners is to help our patients understand the aggravating factors and underlying causes of their condition as well as the theory behind our treatment strategy. This motivates the patient to follow their treatment plan and empowers them to participate in their own healing process, intentionally making informed decisions about things like dietary and lifestyle choices. By actively engaging in the process, an educated patient can accelerate their healing and help ensure that their condition does not return. Some conditions may even require the active participation of the patient before they can be effectively resolved. This is especially true of chronic conditions that have roots in imbalance emotional, lifestyle, or dietary patterns. As holistic practitioners we work to help our patients understand how these patterns have contributed to their condition and how even small changes can help shift these patterns.
 
Healing is always possible, even when a cure is not.
There are many different types of conditions for which a cure may not be possible, such as terminal diseases or congenital conditions. However, even in these cases we can help people with their physical and emotional symptoms and improve their quality of life. This is the basis of palliative and managed care, treatments that focus not on cure, but on slowing the progress of disease or reducing the severity of the individual's symptoms. As holistic practitioners we offer our patients gentle, effective therapies that can help them manage their chronic conditions and alleviate their symptoms, whether they are caused by the condition itself or by the other types of treatments that they are doing. For example, acupuncture can help reduce the nausea associated with chemotherapy treatments.
"The lord hath created medicines out of the earth, and he that is wise will not abhor them." ~Ecclesiastes,38:4
We are open by appointment Monday through Friday 10am to 6pm and Saturdays 10am to 5pm.
779 Haywood Road, Downtown West Asheville, NC 28806 (828) 505-3174
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