By Karina Frost


Parents seeking a more effective approach to managing childhood health issues are increasingly turning to physicians who treat more than the symptoms of illness. Maintaining optimal health using this approach is no longer considered a fringe philosophy, and is now become a recognized part of many practices. Many of the same principles that benefit adults can be applied to children by holistic pediatric doctors in Boulder, Colorado.

Although it has sometimes been described as a remnant of 1960s counterculture views, holistic medicine is legitimate. It does not advocate disregarding modern medical advances, but attempts to go beyond standard diagnosis and drug administration. This approach views each person as a unified organism responding not only to medication, but also to good nutrition, balanced physical activity, a positive mental and spiritual attitude, and a healthier overall lifestyle.

For an adult with high blood pressure, that additional step means making changes in daily activity patterns and diet, as well as taking medications. For children, it can mean that a physician might prescribe medicine to eliminate the worst symptoms and discomfort, but will also work closely with parents to discover and change the actual conditions or habits that help make those drugs necessary.

The accepted definition of a child is anyone under 17 years of age, even though development continues past age twenty. Over-the-counter remedies usually work reasonably well for adults, but are rarely as effective or safe for children. Most are not tested for that particular age group. The extra expense and complications related to drug-safety testing on minors are usually rejected in favor of warning labels.

Rather than complete reliance on prescribed drugs, a holistic approach emphasizes the ability of the body to heal itself when health barriers are removed. It may feel abusive or neglectful to withhold instant relief when a child is suffering from unpleasant symptoms, but some medications unintentionally prolong the period of illness. In some instances, a change in lifestyle or nutrition can make a permanent improvement.

Integrative medicine also accepts and recognizes how environmental hazards affect children, and helps provide parents with better tools and information to help them eliminate many potential toxic sources at home. In addition to presenting an accurate diagnosis, physicians may advise making changes in buying habits, eliminating beds or furniture treated with chemicals during manufacture, or purchasing toys made of natural materials.

Most importantly, holistic pediatricians stress the importance of building a good parent and doctor relationship to better communicate about the circumstances that directly affect health overall. This approach also includes regular well-child health exams, developmental evaluations, vaccine education, and early recognition of obesity and its causes and treatment. Nutritional education, allergies and food intolerance, and even autism and cognitive problems are included.

When acute illness does strike, traditional treatment approaches using drugs or surgery is still often necessary, and can be a very good solution for difficult problems. For less serious or immediate health issues, many pediatric doctors find that education and greater personal responsibility regarding health habits can correct many issues over the longer term. Not only does this benefit children, but is ultimately less costly.




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