Have you heard the term “holistic wound care” and wondered exactly what that means? “Holistic” is one of those words that are often included in medical care articles that just assumes the reader knows what it means in this context. Or, alternatively, it can be one of those words that’s just included because it sounds good. That’s not how things work here at West Coast Wound Care. We provide real, genuine holistic wound care treatment. We always treat the whole person and not just their wounds.
“More Than Just Focusing on the Wound”
Really, that’s what “holistic wound care” is – care that doesn’t just treat the wound. That may sound obvious, like something that any wound care would do. However, that’s often not the case. All too often, the wound care just treats the wound. That’s it. That means the medical professionals will focus everything they do just on the wound and nothing else.
Now, that can be somewhat effective. For a time. The wound might improve. It may even heal for a while. But, this does nothing to change what led to the wound. The patient’s habits, their life, and so forth – that goes unaddressed. As such, there’s a strong possibility that the wound could return.
Beyond that, this also doesn’t address how the patient feels, their emotions, and so forth. Yes, it feels great, of course, for the wound to be improved. But, holistic wound care focuses not just on the physical but the psychological as well.
What Goes Into Holistic Wound Care
Holistic wound care can treat the entire wound by looking at the entire person. For example, every patient is more than just their wound. They lived their life before they suffered the wound and they’ve been living their life with the wound. So, we make sure to learn a patient’s entire medical history.
This includes everything about the wound, yes, but it also takes into account any chronic conditions they may have, wounds they may have suffered previously, any medications they’re currently using (or previously used), as well as all other health issues, no matter how minor. Why? Because all of this could potentially influence the healing of their wounds.
All of that having been said, that’s just the physical. Holistic wound care always takes into account the patient’s psychological state as well. So, we always learn about the patient’s stressors, any mental health struggles they may have, in addition to their living conditions, habits, and more.
Then, with all of that in mind, we’re able to put together wound care treatment that’s right for them. Wound care that just takes the physical into account misses so much, as it can’t truly be customized to a patient’s needs. We use all of this to make treatments that are exactly right for our patients.
Setting Goals for Your Holistic Wound Care and Meeting Them
The goal of our holistic care is to heal the wound, yes, but it’s also to heal the person, too. So, as part of this, we set treatment goals, too. That way, we’re able to build a plan that helps the person to feel better and live better at the same time.
For example, maybe you or someone you love suffers a wound to their leg. So, we want to treat that wound so that it heals, yes. But, we also want you to have the fullest range of mobility possible, to be able to live how you want. That’s all part of our wound care, too.
To see how we can help, reach out to us so you can make an appointment.