One of the differences between traditional medicine and Holistic/alternative disciplines, is in how illness is perceived.

Traditional medicine tends to focus on illness and of curing or stabilising the 'problem' area.

Holistic focuses on wellness and on a person as a whole, not just treating one area.

Traditional medicine tends to rely on chemical(medicines)intervention, to achieve it's goal.

Holistic tries to use natural ways to wellness as possible.

For certain emergency situations such as- fractures of bones, it would be pointless to visit an aromatherapist(massage using aromatic oils). In this case, you would certainly need to visit the Emergency room in hospital for this.

There are many types of holistic therapies, knowing which one is most suitable for a condition or situation is most helpful.

The main areas of specialisation are body-centered therapists, energy-centered therapists, mind-centered therapists, soul and spirit-centered therapists, emotional release therapists, and coaches/counselors.

A lot of therapists work in not just one area but can encompass many.

Traditional medicine and Holistic therapies can work in tandem with each other.

The Integrative Medicine Wheel was proposed some years ago by William Collinge, who believes that integrating traditional medicine and holistic therapies in a tailored way for individuals, can bring about a more balanced, harmonious result and outcome for the person.
For example:

Cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and surgery have reduced side effects, faster recovery, and improved survival rates when they combine these treatments with massage, mind/body medicine, herbal medicine, and nutritional medicine.

Heart disease patients can halt and even reverse their disease process when they integrate mind/body medicine, nutritional medicine, lifestyle and behaviour change with their regular treatment.

People with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia can reduce their symptoms and improve their odds of recovery with the combined use of mind/body medicine, nutritional medicine, lifestyle and behaviour change, and pharmaceutical drugs.

There is experimental evidence that antibiotic drugs to which bacteria have become resistant may have renewed effectiveness when combined with certain herbs.

The eight forms of medicine on The Integrative Medicine Wheel are described as follows:
Mind/body Medicine uses the pathways of communication between mind and body to promote physical health. Methods include imagery, relaxation training, biofeedback, meditation, hypnosis, hypnotherapy, autogenic training, psychotherapy, and group therapy.

Energy Medicine works with the energy system of the body, or treats with energies introduced from outside. Methods include acupuncture, homeopathy, energy-based touch therapies (Therapeutic Touch, Healing Touch, Reiki), qi gong (chi kung), breath therapies (pranayama, transformational breath work), spiritual healing, flower essences, magnetic therapies, and electrical stimulation.

Manipulative Therapies use the physical manipulation of soft tissue or the musculoskeletal system to promote healing. Methods include chiropractic, osteopathy, massage therapy, bodywork, physical therapy and hydrotherapy.

Surgery includes all invasive surgical procedures.

Pharmaceutical Drugs includes all forms of synthetic drugs, prescription and over-the-counter.

Herbal Medicine includes Western herbs, Chinese Herbs, Ayurvedic herbs, and aromatherapy.

Nutritional Medicine includes specific dietary therapies and nutritional supplementation.

Lifestyle & Behaviour includes general eating habits, work habits, stress reduction, self-healing practices, exercise, rest, sleep, intimate relationships, social support and spiritual involvement.

If you have any questions regarding any of the above I am happy to answer them or point you in the direction you need to go. superhappy