Four Pillars of Healing: How the New Integrated Medicine Can Cure You...

Galland, a New York physician who specializes in hard-to-treat illnesses, advocates the concept of health restoration. Taking the conventional biomedical model to task for its disease-centered focus, he urges patients to participate actively in the enhancement of their own health. In his view, health enhancement and restoration are based on four elements: relationships, lifestyle or diaita (an ancient Greek concept embracing diet, rest and exercise), a hygienic environment and detoxification of the body. The component of relationships refers mainly to one's social networks, but Golland also offers advice for developing a productive, collaborative relationship with one's doctor. Explanations of the other ""pillars,"" are illustrated with narratives about patients, reference lists and recommendations for specific actions. Dense with information and demanding close attention, Galland's text at times seems directed more towards fellow physicians in an attempt to persuade them to adopt his principles than to the public. Appendices provide additional guidelines and resources. (June)