HOLISTIC MEDICINE WHAT REALLY MEANS

Holistic medicine is a form of healing that considers the whole person -- body, mind, spirit, and
emotions -- in the quest for optimal health and wellness. According to the holistic medicine
philosophy, one can achieve optimal health -- the primary goal of holistic medicine practice -- by
gaining proper balance in life.

Holistic medicine practitioners believe that the whole person is made up of interdependent parts and
if one part is not working properly, all the other parts will be affected. In this way, if people have
imbalances (physical, emotional, or spiritual) in their lives, it can negatively affect their overall
health.

A holistic doctor may use all forms of health care, from conventional medication to alternative
therapies, to treat a patient. For example, when a person suffering from migraine headaches pays a
visit to a holistic doctor, instead of walking out solely with medications, the doctor will likely take a
look at all the potential factors that may be causing the person's headaches, such as other health
problems, diet and sleep habits, stress and personal problems, and preferred spiritual practices. The
treatment plan may involve drugs to relieve symptoms, but also lifestyle modifications to help
prevent the headaches from recurring.

PRINCIPLES OF HOLISTIC MEDICINE

Holistic medicine is also based on the belief that unconditional love and support is the most powerful
healer and a person is ultimately responsible for his or her own health and well-being. Other
principles of holistic medicine include the following:

 All people have innate healing powers.

 The patient is a person, not a disease.
 Healing takes a team approach involving the patient and doctor, and addresses all aspects of a
person's life using a variety of health care practices.
 Treatment involves fixing the cause of the condition, not just alleviating the symptoms.

Holistic Medicine: Types of Treatments

 Holistic practitioners use a variety of treatment techniques to help their patients take
responsibility for their own well-being and achieve optimal health. Depending on the
practitioner's training, these may include:
 Patient education on lifestyle changes and self-care to promote wellness. This may include
diet, exercise, psychotherapy, relationship and spiritual counseling, and more
 Complementary and alternative therapies such as acupuncture, chiropractic care,
homeopathy, massage therapy, naturopathy, and others
 Western medications and surgical procedures
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Emotional Wellbeing
The implications of decreased emotional well-being are related to mental health concerns such as
stress, depression, and anxiety. These in turn, contribute to physical health concerns such as digestive
disorders, sleep disturbances, and general lack of energy.

WHAT SORT OF USER GROUPS

Those who develop severe personality disorders as a result of childhood trauma and/or social
conditioning can manifest behavioral reactions that our society finds unacceptable, coupled with an
inability to develop and maintain rewarding personal relationships.

For all these reasons, we believe that therapeutic prison regimes (see Genders &Player, 1995) that
focus on enabling those serving criminal sentences to change their perceptions of the world and
realize the extent of their difficulties can produce benefits analogous to those gained from therapeutic
healing environments-

JUSTIFICATION
Holistic healing is necessary for current medicine, because using reductionist chemical drug for
treating human disease have many adverse drug effects with increasing morbidity and mortality.
Holistic healing is not only helpful for therapeutic purpose but also useful for preventive, promotive
and palliative human health care.

ROLE OF ARCHITECTURE IN CONNECTING MIND SOUL AND BODY

People look for help from a divine power in order to find themselves, in order to make sense of the
world, or in order to make sense of their own lives when chaos surrounds them. People search for
peace in their world - but that has to start with peace from within. To find peace within, those in
search of answers ask for help from a spiritual source. In most cases, that means gathering to a
church or a wellness center to find people that can assist with gaining answers. The buildings
themselves typically have little impact on people looking for spiritual guidance – but it could. Those
in need of spiritual help, and in this specific case, those in need of addiction treatment, can gather in
a built environment that is not only spiritual because the outdoor signage says so, but because the
architecture itself is spiritual. By creating an architectural language that serves not only as a catalyst,
but as a channel for conversation between human soul and universal energy, the built environment
can carry occupants to a greater spiritual existence. Architecture that is spiritually connected to the
earth it occupies will then transfer the energy of the universe into the soul of the occupant, and vice
versa, creating spiritual wholeness, which results in internal peace within their mind, body, and soul.
And for people searching for solutions that can help with their personal demons, this architectural
language could speak the answers they are wishing and/or needing to hear.

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It only makes sense that spiritual centers should be designed with architecture that not only becomes
one with the earth, but embraces and enhances it – a loving experience of wholeness and harmony,
creating balance and sense of oneness. Frank Lloyd Wright believed “the good building is not one
that hurts the landscape, but is one that makes the landscape more beautiful than it was before that
building was built”
Nature is harmoniously connected to the energy of the universe, to create buildings that
harmoniously connect to the earth as if the architectural form was destined to be there, inhabitants of
that architecture will harmoniously connect with the universe.

By consciously considering the site’s context when designing the built environment, architecture will
unconsciously affect the people it holds. Doing so creates architecture that acts as the channel
between the power of universe and the human soul.

Architects should use nature as inspiration when designing a building for spiritual healing because
nature creates the places people like to go to relax, such as landscapes, beaches, rivers, and open
valleys (Day 35). It is the spirit of these places that attract people to them, relieving their stress and
nature as inspiration for space and form previously discussed, spiritual help is the basis of true
recovery for addictions. Figure 3.1 28 putting their minds at ease.

The Native Americans use the cardinal points as spiritual coordination in their twelve-step addiction
recovery program (Coyhis 1935). This can be used to orientate the building program on the site. East
represents the first three steps: honesty, hope, and faith – “finding the creator” (Coyhis 1935). Facing
south is dedicated to finding self with courage, integrity, and willingness as the next three steps of
the program. Moving to the west means finding relatives through humility, forgiveness, and justice.
And finally facing north means gaining elders’ wisdom with perseverance, spiritual awareness, and
service, as the last three steps of the program. Architecturally, this idea can inspire the arrangement
of spaces to create the developmental journey individuals will go through during their healing
process.

In order to physically get from room to room, we have to go through a doorway. Similarly, to get
from step to step, we have to push through a spiritual barrier, or metaphorical checkpoint. Designing
the shapes of doorways, and the weight and design of doors, door handles, and/or door latches, for
each individual phase of the recovery process, eases the transition, and gives people a sense of
personalized accomplishment. Creating a physical journey can act as a guide for the spiritual
journey.

In order to inspire inhabitants to develop spiritually, their surrounding environment must inspire
them by being spiritual itself. This can be achieved by incorporating natural materials, natural light,
and color into physical spaces.

EMOTIONAL
Architects and designers are rarely trained in methods of design specification that are specific to
healing environments.

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Sense Sensitive design

Sense sensitivity is an essential component of design decision-making, enabling us to understand
how and why spaces can become – or indeed do not become –therapeutic for those inhabiting them.
Research from a variety of disciplines shows that a range of environmental characteristics can have
powerful healing and therapeutic benefits for their users (Ulrich, 1991a; Scher, 1996; Lewyet al,
1980; Murgia & SanMartin, 2002). These characteristics include natural light and artificial light,
color, views, art work, aroma, modulation of space and form, arrangement of furniture, manipulation
of scale and proportion, sound, texture and materials, movement through space and time, and indoor
and outdoor plants capes.

Humanistic architecture, likewise, sees the promotion of mental well-being as concerning both the
general and specific. Its first task is to consider how the individual perceives the environment
through the main sensory receptors and how this data, when relayed to the brain, affects both
psychological and physiological processes.

Touch
Schonberg (1985) has argued that touch is ten times stronger than verbal or emotional contact.
Scientists have discovered that most of the nerve receptors will respond to pressure in addition to
their main function. Pain produces irregular beats from the nerves, at jagged intervals; itching
produces a fast, regular pattern. Heat produces a crescendo as the area heats up (Grigsby &Stevens,
2000). Such details are important when planning a burns unit: through draughts have to be avoided
as air movement, slight or otherwise, can cause severe levels of pain to a patient whose skin is
exposed.so care has to be taken over the position of doors, windows and air conditioning units. Walls
and floors need to be level, and other surfaces should be true and honest to their materials (i.e. they
should appear as they are, rather than be disguised by artificial finishes), so that patients obtain
optimum reassurance in the interior living space. Avoidance of perceptual confusion is important for
people who are emotionally distressed: for example, wood-grain finishes on metal doors can lead to
confusion because the doors will be unexpectedly heavy and cold to the touch, rather than warm as
wood would-be. Touch, we argue, plays an important part in the recovery of a patient with mental
health problems, helping them re-engage with the materiality of the world surrounding him

Sound
Sounds enhance our sensory perception; people with hearing depend on sound to help us
communicate with others and express our responses to the world around us. Extensive clinical
research shows the beneficial effects of music (e.g. Knight & Rickard, 2001).In contrast, sounds
perceived as noise have been implicated in increases in heart rate, blood pressure, respiration and
even blood cholesterol levels. In penal environments, noise is one of the most persistent problems.
Communication becomes difficult, conversations are shouted, sleep is often disturbed, and stress and
discomfort are common. There are two main factors to consider: the source of noise, and the use of
hard materials (for security fixtures, loud-locking mechanisms, indestructible surfaces etc.). Hard
materials do not absorb much sound and, we contend, encourage residents to respond in a hostile and
aggressive manner. Where residents do not have any control over unwanted noise, they tend to
exhibit physiological reactions typically associated with stress.

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Smell
Designers have a real opportunity to influence mood, perception and motivation through smell and
fragrance. Smells can relax muscles and aid concentration; unpleasant odours can increase heartrate.
Some of the smells in hospitals – such as formaldehyde, formalin, iodine, glutaraldehyde, bone dust,
urine, burnt skin, hair, testosterone, disease and body odour – can evoke strong emotional responses,
such as fear. Good ventilation systems will remove these smells. Kajima, a contracting building firm
in Japan, has installed a unique air conditioning system at its headquarters in Tokyo, in association
with Shiseido, perfume manufacturer. The system emits citrus smells that invigorate staff early in the
morning followed by floral smells that aid concentration and woodland smells at lunchtime to relax.
The same cycle commences after lunch. Smells have also been used in healthcare environments:
‘baby smells’ have been used, for example, to reduce aggression in hospital A&E units. Pleasant
smells help produce endorphins, the body’s natural ‘feel good’ drug, and, it is hypothesized, can
reduce the amount of an aesthetic administered during surgical procedure. Within penal
environments, air movement and quality is essential where windows are kept closed and are of
minimal dimensions. Zimring,Munyon & Ard (1988) showed that, relative to a no-odour group, the
presence of even a moderately offensive smell increased individuals’ levels of aggression.

Light and Color

The effect of light on our health is critical but our knowledge and understanding of optimal
therapeutic requirements remains uneven. More research is required to understand how optimization
of the beneficial effects of artificial light and the maximization of natural light might contribute to
the well-being of patients. What is clear is that more windows can reduce mechanical and electrical
interstitial space, and that the process of ducting light and controlling its color and intensity can
influence behavior, Heliobus, a Swiss lighting company, has developed an elegant sun scoop that
ducts light into areas that never see daylight, such as those used for diagnostic imaging. The
biodynamic light (developed by iGuzzini, Troy University, New York, and Spazio architects in
Milan) mimics not only night and day but even the effect of passing clouds. Research by Wener and
colleagues (Wener, 1990; Weneret al, 1985; 1987) suggests that windows are more than a luxury
forth incarcerated and that lack of contact with the outside world heightens stress and depression. In
restricted and monotonous situations, a view of the outside world becomes a necessity. The highest
stress areas in prisons, isolation cells, are those that most commonly lack windows.

Color is one of the least expensive healing tools. Color can enhance light by brightening or subduing
spaces, provide sensory stimulation, give directional and other information, and optically change the
proportions of a room. Surrounding wall colors should not use actual skin colors since both doctors
and an anesthetists judge a patient’s condition through skin tone. Blues have been used in A&E
departments since they appear to subdue aggressive individuals. Light-reflecting paint can be used in
long, often dark corridors within prisons to maximize internal light. Research has indicated that
visual monotony can contribute to physiological and emotional stress (Kuller, 1981).

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ARCHITECTURE AS A HEALING ATMOSPHERE

1) Convivial entrances
 a good first impression
 a welcoming entrance
 an entrance for everyone
 a special entrance for emergency cases

2) Esteemed environment
 a dignified environment
 carefully designed spaces and attention to details
 people behavioral pattern
 cosy accommodation
 Watch out for day-to-day dilapidation

3) Addressing the normalcy

 aim for normalcy
 avoid institutionalization
 characterize everyday occupations

4) Free and open atmosphere

 a free and open atmosphere
 avoidance of associations with power and coercion
 overview
 address every separate facility
 beware of acoustic requirements
 use large expanses of glazing and curtains adjacent to areas frequented by patients

5) Directly accessible green

 access to a garden within the care unit
 a view of natural surroundings and landscape
 windows that can be opened
 use of natural materials

6) Public sphere envelops the personal sphere

 social participation and elective seclusion
 successive expansion of the personal sphere
 parts with different degrees of seclusion and publicity
 secure and intimate seating areas on the fringes of the public zone

7) Proximity and flexibility

 look for the natural midpoint-the heary

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 break the care unit down into smaller units of 3-5 patient equivalents
 create a social space for each unit, possibly complete with a pantry
 facilitate a limited degree of screening-off
 vary the care unit size by attaching rooms to different care units

8) Scheduling of vistas
 territory is space-demanding
 offer the wanderer a round tour
 offer a rat run, avoid dead ends
 beware of narrow corridors
 aim for a care unit without corridors

9) Room on the patients term

 take a close look at safety aspects of the patient’s room, from the viewpoint of both patient
and staff,
 plan for more activities than just lying in bed
 take the view into account and try to use windows that can be opened,
 Support the patient’s need for control of his or her immediate surroundings.

ELEMENTS OF HEALING

Color
 Red: Red is believed to increase the pulse, raise blood pressure and increase the rate of
breathing. Red would be applied to support circulatory and nervous functions.
 Strong Pink: Strong pink acts as a cleanser, strengthening veins and arteries.
 Pink: Pink activates and eliminates impurities in the blood stream.
 Orange: Orange is a mixture of red and yellow. Activates and eliminates localized fat. Assists
with asthma and bronchitis
 Strong Yellow: Strong yellow strengthens the body and activates internal tissues.
 Yellow: Yellow, the brightest color used in chromo therapy, has been used to purify the skin,
help with indigestion, strengthen the nervous system, treat glandular diseases, hepatitis and
lymphatic disorders and assist metabolism.
 Green: Green, a color associated with harmony, provides a neutral, positive calming effect.
 Strong Green: Strong green provides anti-infectious, anti-septic and regenerative stimulation.
 Strong Blue: Strong blue lubricates joints, helps address stress, nervous tension and
infections.
 Blue: Blue promotes relaxation and calm. Blue exhibits tranquilizing qualities often used to
relieve headaches and migraines, colds, stress, nervous tension, rheumatism, stomach pains,
muscle cramps and liver disorders. Blue is thought to have a positive effect on all kinds of
pain.
 Indigo: Indigo is used to address conditions involving the eyes, ears and nose. It has a
calming, sedative effect.

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 Violet: Violet is used to calm the nervous system, soothe organs and relax muscles. Violet
has meditative qualities and is often used to treat conditions of the lymphatic system and
spleen, as well as urinary disorders and psychosis.

Water
Surface water has the ability to enhance both healing and prosperity, provided it is located on the
proper direction in relation to the building and the site. Geomantic practices the world over (such as
fengshui) refer to ideal locations for water in the landscape. Surface water can be incorporated into a
site in many ways: as a gushing stream in a fountain it is symbolic of the life force, of surmounting
obstacles, and initiating new life. As low moving, meandering stream or creek, water is symbolic of
the river of life and our personal life path, and is also symbol of progress and attainment. As a
waterfall, it is symbolic of a leap into the unknown, of courage, and triumph over fear.

As a still pond, water is symbolic of contemplation, of the soul’s yearning for truth, renewal and
healing. Water that disappears into the earth, a cave, or crevice is allegoric of the cycles of life and
death and can be a reassuring symbol of our ability to overcome even the direst circumstances.

Materials
For instance, wood is a material that retains heat, is soft and comforting, and can be associated with
the concept of natural environments. Another material like sand has a therapeutic value to it, soft to
touch, and gentle on feet. However, stone is cool and smooth to touch, but hard on feet. When the
materials become integrated in the program, the quality of the materials will embody the vision of
the space and become another dimension in the healing environment. Other, not usually thought to
be materials, like light, sky, water, and vegetation will be manipulated with the built environment to
evoke specific responses in order to stimulate the mind and its perceptual visioning of a space.

Sun
Our body relies on sunlight in order to produce adequate amounts of vitamin D. Vitamin D helps
with our immune system; in fact, it has strong immune regulatory affects. It has also been shown that
periods of low Vitamin D precede occurrences of high lesion activity whereas periods of high
vitamin D precede low lesion activity. The knowledge that adequate light is needed to help heal
weak bodies is no new theory. Years ago, before antibiotics, the only known “cure” for tuberculosis
was to get lots of rest within an environment containing clean air and plenty of sunshine.

Landscape
A healing garden is a link to the divine, to the creative force of the Cosmos. A healing garden needs
to work with Nature and its forms: it should discourage rigidity, conceptual thinking, and
preconceived notions of design. It must recognize the polarities and organic forms present in nature.
Consequently, it needs to avoid straight lines, sheer volumes and planes, and excessive use of
symmetry.

A healing garden should afford opportunities to make choices: private areas and public spaces,
contemplation and people watching, various walking routes, different kinds of seating, interaction
with humans and nature, participation in the garden’s maintenance. A healing garden should allow its

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user’s to experience a sense of control: users must know it exists, how to gain access to it, they
should be able to use it in ways they prefer. They should enjoy a sense of physical and psychological
security. Design should encourage clarity of layout and movement. The garden should provide a
sense of enclosure and a special entrance to convey a feeling of structure, permanence and
groundedness. It should avoid dead end paths and complex formations. Design needs to create
opportunities for movement and exercise; this brings physical and emotional benefits and helps to
combat depression. Create paths for walking, make the garden visible from corridors that can also be
used for exercise, place rehabilitation units in view of the garden or nature, add a walking or jogging
route for staff.

THE SITE

The connection to self:

Healing begins when one is in a space of retrospection. The space however is one that must be
comfortable and a reflection of oneself.

The connection with the City:

The city environment is harsh and busy and tends not to offer many places or spaces of retrospection
and contemplation. The site should be a part of the city but detached from the fast pace. The end-user
should be able to arrive conveniently with public transport to the site to allow a large catchment of
people seeking a place for healing. The site should also be in a place that is not difficult to navigate
and find.

The connection to Nature:

Human beings cannot live without natural surroundings. The symbiotic relationship that exists
between the two is one that has to be nurtured. A physical and visual link with nature has positive
beneficial qualities that help in healing and health in general

The connection with Light:

Natural sunlight kills harmful bacteria and cleans air. Apart from these obvious natural benefits of
sunlight, natural light - when controlled - gives a space character that is sensual so giving a space an
emotive quality which can be felt by the end-user. Light is also a symbol of growth and life as it
benefits the natural world in that way. This study on ‘Healing spaces in architecture’ is an endeavor
of understanding the conceptual way to achieve healing. Since it is vast field of study with the
number of ongoing researches, this has profuse scope for further investigation.

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