Rethinking Healthcare: Holistic Approaches in Light of Rising Costs and Mental Health Challenges

In recent survey findings by Gallup and West Health, a startling 42% of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with their recent experiences with medical care, deeming them not worth the cost. Compounding this issue, 57% of individuals rated the U.S. ability to address mental health conditions as poor or failing. As many Americans grapple with these dual challenges of cost and quality in healthcare, a new wave of practitioners is pioneering methods that blend traditional medical practices with holistic wellness.

The Cost of Care vs. Quality

Survey results indicate that while a mere 17% of participants rated the quality of healthcare as poor, a staggering 75% expressed concerns over its cost. This discrepancy suggests that while the medical community excels in acute care, significant strides must be made in holistic and preventive methods. Among those advocating for a shift in healthcare philosophy are professionals like Amanda Plevell, Julienne Becker, Jenna Niggeler, Kelly Vanvickle, and Kelly Thompson, who believe that addressing illness requires more than just treating symptoms—it necessitates a comprehensive approach to wellness.

Transformational Journeys in Healthcare

Amanda Plevell: A Miracle of Healing

Amanda Plevell’s story exemplifies the transformative power of holistic care. Once wheelchair-bound and grappling with severe chronic illnesses, Plevell chose to diverge from conventional medical answers that left her feeling hopeless. After fifteen years of dedicated research and education, she emerged not only capable of walking but with a mission to educate others about holistic health.

At the helm of ANMC Holistic Health in Little Falls, Plevell has established a proactive model called PIP care—proactive, intentional, and purposeful. This approach emphasizes long-term client relationships and individualized care plans, aiming to foster health rather than merely react to disease. "Creating communities where it’s easy to be healthy and OK to be happy," she states, underlines her mission of empowering individuals with the knowledge to cultivate their health.

The Holistic Solution: Integrative Practices in Brainerd

The tide is turning in Brainerd, where practitioners like Julienne Becker and Jenna Niggeler are offering holistic services alongside biomedical care.

Julienne Becker: Bridging East and West

Julienne Becker’s path to holistic medicine began in the military, where she discovered a passion for healthcare that ultimately led her back to school for acupuncture. At her practice, Better Days Acupuncture, Becker integrates acupuncture with other techniques like cupping and electrical stimulation to facilitate healing. She emphasizes the cooperative nature of treatment, empowering clients to take charge of their health: “Acupuncture is just one way to connect the mind, body, soul together in the healing journey.”

Jenna Niggeler: Focusing on Women’s Health

Partnering in space with Becker is Jenna Niggeler, who, after experiencing the healing benefits of acupuncture for herself, dedicated her career to the practice. Running New Morning Acupuncture, Niggeler primarily focuses on women’s health, tackling issues of pregnancy, postpartum care, and menopausal symptoms. Preferring to engage clients in conversation rather than paperwork, she emphasizes a customized approach, ensuring that each patient’s unique background shapes their treatment plan.

New Frontiers in Wellness: Key Wellness and Aesthetics

In contrast to Becker and Niggeler’s practices, Kelly Vanvickle and Kelly Thompson have successfully blended traditional nursing practices with aesthetic services at Key Wellness and Aesthetics in Crosslake. Drawing on their substantial experience as registered nurses, the duo noted a growing demand for aesthetic treatments like Botox and hormone management. They emphasize that enhancing one’s appearance is not merely about vanity; it’s an avenue to increased self-confidence and wellness.

“Understanding that it’s not just about beauty but about feeling good in your skin” underscores their commitment to holistic care that embraces both inner and outer wellness.

A Comprehensive Approach to Health

Across the range of practices in Brainerd, the unifying thread is clear: a collective understanding that wellness is multi-faceted. The holistic models presented by Plevell, Becker, Niggeler, and the two Kellys challenge traditional notions of healthcare, suggesting that true healing encompasses not only the physical but also emotional, mental, and social dimensions of wellbeing.

As dissatisfaction with conventional healthcare continues to rise amidst escalating costs and mental health crises, the innovations and integrative approaches pioneered by these practitioners offer hope. Through personalized care and a commitment to empowering individuals, they illustrate the potential of holistic health to contribute to a more sustainable and satisfying healthcare system.

Conclusion: A Call for Transformation

In moments of crisis, it’s essential to rethink our health paradigms. While acute care will always be vital, integrating holistic approaches into our healthcare systems can create paths to wellness that resonate with peoples’ lived experiences. As more patients and providers advocate for this comprehensive approach to health, the future of American healthcare holds the promise of not just treating illness, but cultivating a society where wellbeing is accessible, understood, and prioritized.