The practice of holistic health is “an approach that has the freedom to work with the whole person.” Kimberley Jacques is a licensed massage therapist who recognized her call to be a part of the healing process as a child. Stephen Kottler, HMC, who began studying homeopathy in the late 1980s, agreed. “When you treat the whole person, the whole person improves.”

Although the holistic health practitioners in Central Maine often work closely with allopaths, physicians practicing western medical techniques, their philosophy, focus and methods of treatment are vastly different. Louise Devlin, a licensed massage therapist trained by Jacques at the Spa Tech Institute in Westbrook, Maine, stated, “If the pain keeps coming back, if recurrence comes sooner than it should, or if we are not seeing a client progress, we often refer them to a medical doctor.” According to Jacques, “One of the general differences [between the two approaches] is that holistic practices are not limited by the diagnosis.”

Swedish massage, offered by Jacques, “is the long fluid strokes that help support the systems” of the body. This technique encourages the tissues to slide and lengthen, resulting in a lack of constriction which is both “good for the immune system” and results in “increased circulation so oxygen is flowing” to all points in a body.

Polarity therapy “is a hands on modality [that acknowledges] patterns within the body that have a tendency to hold tension.” Polarity therapy identifies points where bone, muscle and nerve connect and uses those points to “connect the different parts in that tension pattern” resulting in relief. Jacques likened this process to “rebooting a computer.”

Deep tissue massage works with specific muscles, giving the opportunity for unhealthy neuromuscular habits and patterns to be “reprogrammed.”

According to Devlin, whose techniques also include stonework and stretching, therapeutic massage techniques are beneficial for those suffering from many conditions including fibromyalgia, chronic neck and shoulder pain, back and hip pain, sleep issues, multiple sclerosis and musculoskeletal problems, as well as scar tissue massage and palliative care for patients with conditions such as cancer. Jacques added sports injuries and postural issues to that list, and noted that these techniques are also beneficial with respect to athletic training and pregnancy.

Kottler described homeopathy as “a holistic, individualized and complete system of natural medicine.” Using one of the more than 4,000 homeopathic “remedies” distilled methodically from plants, minerals, animals and chemicals, Kottler is able to treat patients who suffer from headaches, insomnia, infertility, anxiety, depression and hormonal changes. He also treats “conditions for which no effective treatment is available” such as viral illnesses, wounds, emphysema, multiple sclerosis, or for which prolonged or indefinite pharmacological management would otherwise be necessary, including bacterial infections, allergies and other chronic diseases. Kottler’s remedies have helped patients to avoid elective surgeries and provided palliative treatment for patients with incurable or terminal conditions.

Developed in the 18th century by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, homeopathic medicine was widely used by American pioneers to treat both acute and chronic conditions and “is a safe, gentle and effective means of helping a person to heal and to achieve physical and emotional health and well-being.” Kottler described it as an “energy medicine” that requires patience, commitment and active participation by the patient.

Ann LoPresti, Devlin’s sister and partner at Re-Awakenings Holistic Health Services in Lewiston, is a practicing pharmacist who is also nationally certified in Chinese herbal medicine. Using 3,000-year-old herbal preparation techniques, combined with her expertise in Western pharmacology, LoPresti’s focus is primarily on “internal medicine,” and she has had great success with clients who suffer from digestive, menstrual and menopausal issues, as well as depression, anxiety and other conditions.

LoPresti and Eric Anderson, whose practice is located in Poland Spring at the Summit Spring Holistic Health Center, are licensed acupuncturists. According to LoPresti, the basis of acupuncture is “moving energy, releasing blocks and strengthening systems.” Although the classic texts regarding the practice of acupuncture were written in 200-300BC, according the Anderson the practice is always changing and developing.

Like other holistic health practitioners, Anderson begins treatment with a diagnostic interview. His interview covers life history as well as symptoms and, guided by the three foundations of acupuncture, enables him to diagnose the fundamental imbalance. The goal of acupuncture, briefly, is to “nudge the Qi back into balance.” Qi, also spelled “Chi,” is essentially the “vital energy,” and flow thereof, that exists in every living thing. The concept is extremely complex yet quite simple, when the Qi is out of balance the individual experiences less than optimal health. By contrast, when the Qi is in balance, this energy is able to “support the body and nature’s ability to heal.” Using tiny needles, about the size of a human hair, and sometimes Moxa, a combustible dried herb that warms the acupuncture point, Anderson is able to move the energy and bring balance, “like a tune up.”

“More often than not,” he explained, “you see a gentle, gradual recovery.” Acupuncture and acupressure (which does not use needles) can provide relief from digestive issues, depression, insomnia, addiction, skin conditions, physical pain, and many other conditions, and is another avenue through which a patient might avoid surgery and the side effects of medication.

Although all holistic health modalities require the active participation of the individual seeking its benefits, yoga is perhaps the most “active” of these. According to Alice Ruvane, a certified yoga instructor with Chill Yoga in Lewiston, “The health benefits of yoga are so widely accepted that in 2008, the Department of Health and Human Services recognized yoga as an important mind-body wellness and prevention tool.”

Ruvane added, “Yoga is for every body” regardless of size, shape, age, fitness level, ability or disability. “All of the organs and body systems benefit from yoga postures and breathing practices.”

Whether working independently or together with medical providers who specialize in Western medical techniques, holistic health practitioners can provide individuals seeking good health, emotional well-being, and freedom from pain or other conditions with the support and relief that will help them to heal and the tools to help them maintain balance and wellness in body, mind and spirit.

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