Holistic medicine versus conventional pill popping

Amanda Watkins 

The Silhouette

Students are notorious for knowing very little about their health and how to maintain it. From over-dosing on energy drinks loaded with ingredients that even trained linguists couldn’t pronounce to taking one too many Aspirins after a late Friday night, only on rare occasions does the student leave their usual habits behind to find a more natural aid.

Although reaching for the bottle of ibuprofen when struck with a headache is an easy way out, there are better solutions. Enter holistic medicine, a practice that supports natural remedies and non-invasive drugs and services to help heal common ailments.

The Canadian Holistic Medical Association defines it as “a system of health care which fosters a cooperative relationship among all those involved, leading towards optimal attainment of the physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual aspects of health.” In other words, it’s not just the medication that matters; health involves finding an inner Zen and using your knowledge as a tool to get well.

Alternative medication may seem like a far-away thought for a student who occasionally doesn’t even have time to eat, but there are some simple steps that can be taken and a nearby location to help with the process. Innova Health Clinic, Hamilton’s go-to location for pointers on healthy living, has two neighbourhood locations: one on Main Street and one on Upper Wentworth on the mountain.

Second year student of osteopathy and registered physiotherapist, Sharmila Kulkarni explained that Innova’s primary goal is “to help provide a sense of balance for your body.” She outlined a few simple steps that can be taken every day to help achieve this balance.

Drink a lot of Water “You need to drink at least 3-4 glasses of water a day,” said Sharmila in a stern tone. Water is a necessity, as it keeps us hydrated and maintains the function of some of our most vital organs.

The human brain is made up of 95 per cent water, while the water content in the lungs is 90 per cent and in blood is 82 per cent. A mere two per cent drop in our body’s water supply can trigger signs of dehydration. Along with maintaining a healthy diet, drinking water will help keep our bodies running smoothly.

Walk It Out. Although days may seem too long and tiring to put aside long periods of time for exercise, a small commitment to walking every day might just be enough to keep our bodies refreshed and energized. “It is recommended that you walk ten minutes a day,” notes Sharmila. Ten minutes is a very doable commitment, and in the long run will help keep our joints running, our hearts pumping and our blood flowing.

Change Positions. When studying or taking notes in class, we often cramp ourselves into one position for hours on end and avoid moving around whenever possible. Although this practice of maintaining a statuesque presence may seem to be saving us energy, it is important to move around and change positions whenever possible. Simple movements such as rotating our posture, standing up when possible and avoiding staying in the same position for extended lengths of time will help prevent muscle tension and strain on our joints.

Sleep Well. Resist the temptation to stay up all night studying for an exam or finishing an essay because more often than not, a lack of sleep can lead to anxiety, loss of focus and even depression. Sharmila explains that “it is tough for students to find the time because they’re being pulled in so many different directions, but a healthy lifestyle means eating well and sleeping well.” To maintain healthy emotional and cognitive wellness, it is a must to plan your schedule wisely and make time to take rest.

For more information about taking further action in this direction, you can contact Innova Health Clinic located at 309 Main Street West (a mere ten minutes from campus) and 883 Upper Wentworth, Suite 305. The clinic will be celebrating the grand opening of their new practice on Main Street in March of this year.