Holistic health practitioners focus on the whole person: the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of the individual. Ideally, the relationship with a practitioner involves cooperation and respect for a patient's wisdom and knowledge of themselves. You will want him or her to consider both conventional and complementary therapies when making a treatment plan, but also lean toward the least toxic therapy first. Always ask your practitioner how toxic the treatment is, what the side effects are, and whether there are treatments available that have fewer side effects.

If you want to find a good holistic practitioner that you can Work with, start asking for referrals from friends, family, or colleagues. The next best source is the Internet. Search for ''Holistic'' or "Alternative Medical Practitioners'' or look up the type of practitioner you need: physicians (medical doctors), acupuncturists, naturopaths chiropractic doctors, to name a few. You may also want to search using key words such as nutritional therapist, wellness, integrative wellness, complementary medicine, prevention, nontraditional, natural and food allergy.

In, web pages, ads or brochures, holistic practitioners might say that they treat the whole person (body, mind, and spirit), that they believe in patient education, that they include you as part of the treatment team, and trust your knowledge and wisdom about your own body.

You can visit your local health food store bulletin board or ask the store manager how to find a holistic practitioner in your area or to recommend one to you.

Most professional organizations offer referrals by phone, on the Web, or through a referral directory. Remember that practitioners sometimes pay to be listed or are members of that association, so the lists may not include every practitioner in your area.

I hope that you'll be able to find all the support you need whatever it is, more easily after reviewing this page. For more in-depth information please see pages 342-352 of The Diet Cure. The resources below will lead you to additional sources for holistic testing, treatment and medication, as well as organizations.