This is the second in a series of articles on holistic therapy history and uses. The benefits of non-traditional approaches to healing can be surprising, and so can the background and methodology employed in such treatments. The writer’s goal is to provide a basis of understanding for how the approach of holistic medicine works.

Increased attention has been given to the approach of holistic therapy to improve the lives of individuals. Often the term is comingled with the concepts of integrative medicine, alternative medicine, and complementary medicine. The aspect that differentiates holistic therapy from the others is that physical health is not the primary focus of treatment; rather the therapy is targeted to enhance the spiritual, mental, and physical of being. These areas were identified as the core segments of holistic therapy by Evarts Greene Loomis, who is often referred to as the “father of holistic medicine” movement.

Loomis’ beliefs were shaped during his impressionable years at Haveford College near Philadelphia, PA. A pamphlet about the Alsatian German-French theologian Albert Schweitzer was the seed from which Loomis’ holistic interest sprouted. For his conceptual views Schweitzer earned the 1952 Nobel Peace Prize.”

Schweitzer’s work was centered on the concept that Western Civilization was decaying as the result of the abandonment of the belief that all life should be respected. Schweitzer dedicated his life to ease the suffering of natives who lacked access to skilled medical care. Loomis was so moved by the works and views of Schweitzer that it is reported that he phoned his parents and informed them that he would be changing his major from biology to pre-medicine after reading “Reverence for Life.”

Loomis’ body of work likely helped to mold his views. He served as a surgeon in Algeria during World War II with the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Association. He worked in the city of Tenchung, China as the director of a hospital and clinic that tended to the needs of American and Chinese civilians and military personnel. He relocated to California after his service to further develop his ideas as he felt other areas of the United States were too conservative.

His time in China encouraged Loomis to pursue his passion of helping others through the healing power that he felt nature provided. In a vision he saw a sanitarium located “below a triangular mountain peak” and began site research to establish his practice. After purchasing land in Hemet, California, Loomis and his wife began to administer holistic medicine to those that were interested. Loomis focused much of his counseling on the benefits of nutrition and the benefits of exercise to improve the lives of his patients.

Discussions that formed the American Holistic Medical Association (AHMA) were first held at Loomis’ therapy center, Meadowlark. A group of doctors gathered in 1977 to organize the structure for the association; Dr C. The founding president of the AHMA was Norman Shealy. Shealy presented Loomis with the AHMA Pioneer award in 1995 for his contributions to holistic medicine.

This article was written by John English, a behavioral specialist based in Charlotte, NC. He became a wellness coach as a result of his desire to help improve the lives of those around him. John holds a BA in Psychology from Hamilton College and a Masters from Queens University. At his practice, The Wellness Coach, he specializes in holistic therapy, emotional healing and personal development.






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