In the world of modern medicine, the terms “holistic” and “wholistic” get thrown around a lot. They’re often used interchangeably and even if you’re a language nerd, etymologically they don’t have much difference. According to Merriam-Webster and other language guides, like the Associated Press, they come from the same origins and mean basically the same thing. Ask just about any doctor though, and you’ll get a different story.
We asked LaserTech’s Dr. Zimmerman, our pain relief doctor with over 30 years of experience, how he’d define each term. He incorporates principles of both holistic and wholistic approaches in his practice, offering patients custom treatment plans through cold laser therapy, shockwave therapy, spinal decompression, and other effective and alternative pain relieving technologies.
Read on to learn about the differences between holistic and wholistic medicine, how they complement each other, and how they’ve helped LaserTech’s patients find relief and hope when other methods failed.
What Is Holistic Medicine?
Dr. Z says that simply put, holistic medicine focuses on natural, non-invasive treatments. These treatments aim to support the body’s inherent ability to heal. This approach often includes therapies that are gentle on the body, like cold laser therapy, shockwave therapy, or spinal decompression. Each of these pain-relieving technologies is non-invasive and prioritizes minimizing side effects while promoting long-term wellness. These are just a few of the holistic, non-invasive technologies used daily in LaserTech’s office to relieve pain.
Cold Laser Therapy
Lasers work to relieve your chronic pain symptoms by stimulating your body to release its own natural painkillers and anti-inflammatory chemicals, while also accelerating the proliferation (and restoration) of healthy tissue and increasing circulation and blood supply. All of this works to encourage fast, significant, and long-lasting pain relief while also repairing any damaged tissues, joints, discs, muscles, nerves, ligaments, etc. So, we don’t just treat your pain, we promote overall healing as well, so you can get back to living a healthy life to the fullest.
Shockwave Therapy
Radial Pressure Wave is Sonic Energy Technology. Radial Pressure Wave is a form of Shockwave and Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT). It creates deep penetrating sound waves of specific wavelengths that produce a radial pressure force that travels into the involved tissues which can restart the healing process and initiate recovery. It also creates a sheer force that reduces adhesions and tension from scar tissue, as well as a negative energy burst that can break up unwanted calcification, adhesions, and scar tissue. It does all of this without significant side effects. This technology provides major advances in resolving these residual factors that often compromise the healing of these prominent conditions.
Spinal Decompression
Until the scientific and medical communities worked together to create the Super Traction Decompression (TDS) system, the only option for opening up space within the spine was invasive surgery. Thanks to the TDS system, LaserTech can help reduce the amount of pressure being placed on your spine by opening up space for the nerves to comfortably exit and function. Spinal decompression helps to minimize chronic pain associated with buckled ligaments, bulging or herniated discs, or other spine-related conditions.
Patient Testimonial
One of LaserTech’s patient’s shares her experience…
What Is Wholistic Medicine?
Dr. Z explains that wholistic medicine, on the other hand, takes a comprehensive view of the body, addressing the root causes of pain and dysfunction. It treats the “whole” person by considering physical and lifestyle factors alike. LaserTech’s wholistic approach includes an in-depth and thorough exam, x-rays, and a look into your medical history. Dr. Z doesn’t just treat your symptoms.
For example, if you have knee pain, Dr. Z isn’t just going to assume you have arthritis and prescribe the same treatment he gave to the patient before you who came in with similar pain. Knee pain can be caused by several different things. It can be arthritis, injury, or mechanical and each of those breaks down into several categories of their own. Understanding the root cause of your knee pain before beginning treatment is crucial to the success of your healing. Likewise, understanding the steps you can take once you leave LaserTech to avoid further injury or irritation and to keep your body in shape is just as important. This wholistic approach is what helps patients find lasting relief.
Patient Testimonial
Another patient describes the impact of this approach on his knee pain…
How Dr. Zimmerman Combines Holistic and Wholistic Medicine
Dr. Z blends these approaches to create customized treatment plans for each patient who visits LaserTech. The philosophy of holistic combined with wholistic medicine at LaserTech is simple: pain relief is not just about treating symptoms but about addressing the root causes while supporting the body’s natural healing processes…no drugs, no surgeries, no injections.
Finding Hope Through a Comprehensive Approach at LaserTech in Scottsdale
Whether you’re dealing with arthritis, chronic foot pain, back pain, or other persistent issues, Dr. Z’s unique combination of holistic and wholistic medicine provides a path toward relief. His patient-centered care, scientific knowledge, and dedication to treating the whole person make him a trusted partner in your journey to better health and non-invasive pain relief.
If you’ve felt stuck or hopeless about your pain, consider scheduling a free consultation with Dr. Z. His innovative techniques and compassionate care might just be the solution you’ve been searching for.
