What does "Palliative" Mean to Your Health?

This is a subject that has been bothering me for quite some time, and something that definitely needs to be discussed.

According to Google dictionary, the definition of palliative is:

pal·li·a·tive

/ˈpalēˌādiv,ˈpalēədiv/

adjective

1. 1.

(of a medicine or medical care) relieving pain without dealing with the cause of the condition.

"orthodox medicines tend to be palliative rather than curative"

synonyms: soothing, alleviating, sedative, calmative, calming

noun

1. 1.

a palliative remedy, medicine, etc.

synonyms: painkiller, analgesic, pain reliever, sedative, tranquilizer, anodyne, calmative, opiate, bromide

Did you see above where it states "orthodox medicines tend to be palliative rather than curative". Palliative is basically the concept of using a particular medicine or product that while you are using the item, you are reducing the symptoms or issues as long as you keep taking the item. When you stop, the symptoms or issues come back. Period.

How many things are you doing or taking that are palliative? Anything can be a palliative, essential oils, prescription medication, CBD, herbs, OTC medications, exercise, anything.

Palliatiave for End of Life

There are different "types" of palliative care. I am not talking about the methods or modalities that are used when someone is on hospice or for end of life care to make them comfortable and ease their passing. I have an amazing friend in the Netherlands who teaches aromatherapy palliative care to help ease the transition for those who are dying and their family. This is not what I am talking about here.

I am talking about using medications or even natural modalities to ease symptoms but when the product is not used, the symptoms return.

Supplements

Palliative care doesn't just involve medications. It can be any sort of supplement, product, even water. Whatever that "thing" is that eases your symptoms or makes your body do what you want it to do, but when you stop taking it, you revert back to the way it was before the "thing" you were taking, that's palliative.

Like I said above, it can be literally, anything. CBD, vitamins, weight loss products, energy boosters, herbs, essential oils, marijuana, ANYTHING.

Is it a bad thing? No, not for the short term but if you aren't getting better or when you stop taking the product your issues resurface, is it really helping?

I see friends pushing products that are supposed to "help you lose weight", "give you more energy", "detox", "give you the nutrition you need", "ease pain", "help you sleep better", "replace hormones", you name it, there is someone pushing or selling a product that is supposed to help you feel better.

These products truly freak me out. Too many don't have the understanding they need to be selling these product. Also, the companies honestly don't even know what the ramifications are using these products long term. I have clients that come to me with a LOOOOONNNG list of medications, so many things that they can't even remember what it was like NOT to take that drug. They think they are no worse, but aren't they really no worse? When they started out they were only taking this one thing, over time that one thing causes this issue, now they are taking this other thing, and on and on it goes. However they definitely are no better taking it. Their body is now becoming accustomed to that drug and getting off it can be an equally long process.

Don't get me wrong, there are some things that many must take to sustain life. Let's move past that and look at other things that are not needed to sustain life. My question to you, and to your doctor is.... why? Why must you continually take that drug(s) to stay alive? Why is your body breaking down or not producing what it should so you have been prescribed this medication? Why? Why can't they do something, anything to gently stimulate your body to do what it is supposed to do? Why drugs that mask the symptoms but never "fix" anything?

In a perfect world I think we can get there with modern technology and modalities. However our focus is much to strongly on the pharmaceutical industry. I believe that we do have an option which can help us heal our bodies now, that is called homeopathy, herbalism, acupuncture, chiropractic, etc. I am starting to offer acute appointments as I am in my 2nd year of school, constitutional (chronic issues) will be further down the line.

Should you have any questions, please let me know by sending an email to melissa@sweetwillowspirit.com. Have a wonderful and healthy day!

Love and light,

Melissa

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