When we say that someone is healthy, what do we really mean? In this article, I will explore the various definitions of “health” and discuss some of the factors I take into consideration when evaluating the health of my patients.
Physical Health vs. Mental and Emotional Health: The Case of Matt
For some people, they think that health is the absence of any physical symptoms or complaints. For example, Matt has no physical health issues. His blood reports are also clear. However, he experiences a lot of fears and is not able to get out of the house or hold a steady job as a result of these anxieties. Matt feels low and is not very hopeful about his future. How would I evaluate Matt’s health from a homeopathic perspective?
A Different Perspective: Jane’s Health Challenge and Positive Outlook
In another example, Jane is diagnosed with breast cancer and needs to go through surgery and chemotherapy. In spite of this obvious health challenge, Jane is hopeful that the treatment will be effective and continues to live life as normally as possible. She makes all efforts to keep herself happy.
If we were to compare Matt and Jane along the spectrum of health, who would you say is healthier?
The WHO Definition of Health
At this point, I would like to bring into this discussion a definition of health proposed by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The WHO Constitution states that “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease of infirmity.” This definition is very clear that health is not just about the physical ailments.
My Homeopathy Professor, George Vithoulkas who is a Nobel Prize Winner for Alternative Medicine, defines health as follows:
“Health is the freedom from pain in the physical body, having attained a state of well-being, freedom from passion on the emotional level, having as a result a dynamic state of serenity and calm; and freedom from selfishness in the mental sphere.” But he adds another very important measure of health to conclude this definition and this is “the extent to which a person is free to create or be creative”.
Is an individual able to live his/her life in a manner that contributes positively to society and promote the interests and good of oneself and others?
Being creative and able to work towards the betterment of society and others is a critical measure of health. Based on this criteria outlined above, it is clear that between Jane and Matt, Jane would be consider healthier although she has what would be considered a more serious ailment. However, she remains hopeful and carries out her daily activities.
This is just a snapshot of how I measure the health of my patients. There are many other markers that I take into consideration when I look at a patient holistically.
Interested in Learning More About Classical Homeopathy?
If you are curious to find out more about how Classical Homeopathy can work for you, please feel free to give me a call at +65 80563282 for a free initial 15min chat. I will be happy to explain my treatment approach to you.
