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 treatment 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 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 spontaneous 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. Literature from both the initial review and the later review will be compiled in this section.
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. We exist each moment as a body, mind, spirit/soul, and emotional beings. Holistic healing therefore acknowledges the many parts of our being and 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 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.
Summary In summary, this chapter identified the study’s aim of achieving a more complete knowledge of holistic healing. Ultimately, understanding this human experience will assist in promoting holistic health. The rationale for this study stems from the promotion of holistic healing, coupled with inadequate understanding and research regarding matters of people’s experiences of holistic healing. Asking people for their impressions regarding their healing experience would reveal the importance of relying on the client as the most important information resource.