This study seeks to add valuable information about the growing phenomenon of holistic health. It strives to explore the process of holistic healing. In the process of investigating the study`s hypotheses, this study seeks to discover novel, unanticipated themes that help further the understanding of holistic healing. Scope, Delimitations, and Limitations The literature indicates a growing interest in holistic health. For example, there is increasing research on healing practices (Cappannnari, Rau, Abam, & Buchanan, 1995) and holistic healing efficacy (Frank, 1993; Hall, 2003; Krieger, 1994).
However, surprisingly few researchers investigated the practitioners of holistic healing (Moch, 1998; Voelker, 1994). Despite the growing research about holistic healing practices or that debates holistic healing concepts, (Simonton & Matthews-Simonton, 1994), this study found an absence of research devoted to actual holistic healing. Hence, in spite of a thorough search of the literature, no studies have been found that relate directly to the focus of this study, the mechanics of holistic healing.
The literature review is not the theoretical foundation on which the study is based, but is presented in order to illustrate the current state of the relevant literature. The initial review established the appropriateness of this study. The majority of the review will be accomplished after the data is analyzed and it will be guided by the findings. Various Definitions of Holistic Healing The following are the various definitions of holistic healing which the researcher believes are imperative in understanding the research documented in this manuscript.
Holistic healing. Literally, it means wholeness (holy and heal both derive from the Anglo-Saxon healen, meaning whole), with all that implies: “Bringing the rejected and discarded into the circle; listening with the inward ear for those parts that have been silenced; seeking a deeper, more accurate, more creative engagement with the world around us” (Barasch, 2003). Holistic. This refers to the acknowledgement that human beings are multi-leveled. Human beings exist each moment as a body, mind, spirit/soul, and emotional being.
Holistic healing therefore acknowledges the many parts of a human being seeks to understand their interactions in both the disease and the health creation processes. For holistic medical doctors, the term “holistic” may mean incorporating alternative healing techniques or procedures such as the use of herbal remedies, diet and nutrition. For psychologists “holistic” may indicate their use of several therapeutic techniques within the discipline of psychology. Or it may indicate that they integrate other healing techniques such as bodywork or meditation within the context of psychotherapy.
For some, the term “holistic healing” denotes an overall philosophy of integrationalism regardless of their respective training background, and as such, serve as a self-identifier. Given the disparity of meanings attributed to the words, the realm of holistic healing is fraught with communication difficulties. This search terms clarifies for the operational definitions of the study’s critical terms to avoid confusion and help set the limits of its purview. The research questions ask about the experiences of holistic healing.
The study seeks to explore the relationship of its variables to the participants` life experiences. Therefore, this study uses a qualitative phenomenological design mentioned to gather information. Characteristically, phenomenological interviews are open-ended and unstructured. However, a purely phenomenological design does not allow for specific research variables to be explored. Therefore, this study utilized a modified phenomenological design. The study attempts through its methodology, to identify themes that adequately reflect participants` experiences and to understand their meaning.
The field of holistic healing is an evolving discipline. Therefore, the words used to speak about the realm of holistic healing remain difficult to concretize. For those who view this growing field from a distance, the confusion about communication is apparent. Essentially, the same words are used in different ways, depending on the speaker and on the context. Even practitioners within the field of holistic healing use words like “healing” and “holistic” in idiosyncratic ways.