ABSTRACT
We begin with a poem by a practitioner that reflects epistemological dimensions of holistic healing. For many users of complementary/alternative medicine (CAM), healing modalities based on beliefs about spirituality, balance and energy flow within the body, and interactions among nature, individuals, and social systems have served as a parallel, preferred and/or more affordable approach to treating illness and promoting health. Others seek answers to problems for which the powerful institutions of allopathic and osteopathic medical care cannot provide adequate, satisfying responses. In this chapter, we begin with the premise that health communication research has barely skimmed the surface in understanding the role of communication in healing processes undertaken by holistic practitioners and those who seek their help.
