Perez Health Coaching

Living with a chronic illness, like diabetes, ongoing pain, or an autoimmune condition, can be tough. But there’s a way to manage it that looks at your whole self—your body, mind, and lifestyle—not just your symptoms. This is called a holistic approach, and it’s becoming super popular. About 40% of adults in the U.S. are trying holistic methods for chronic illnesses, and the market for these approaches is expected to grow a lot by 2033. So, what’s it like to manage your chronic illness holistically? And how can a health coach, like me, work with both regular doctors and holistic experts to help you feel your best? Let’s break it down in a way that’s easy to understand, plus I’ll share how you can get started with a health coach like me!

What Does “Holistic” Mean for Chronic Illness?

Holistic care means looking at all parts of you—your body, thoughts, and habits—to help you feel better. Instead of just taking medicine for your symptoms, it focuses on things like what you eat, how you handle stress, and how you move, while still working with your regular doctor. For example, studies show that practicing mindfulness (like meditation) can cut chronic pain by 35%, and eating healthy foods like fruits and veggies can lower heart disease risk by 25%. It’s all about finding what works for you—and tons of people (70% in the U.S.!) are asking for this kind of care.

Here’s what you can expect when you start managing your chronic illness holistically:

1. A Deep Dive Into Your Life

When you start, a holistic practitioner—like a naturopath, functional medicine doctor, or health coach—will spend a lot of time getting to know you, way more than a typical doctor visit (which is usually just 18 minutes!). They’ll ask things like:

• What makes your symptoms worse?
• How’s your stress or sleep?
• What do you want to achieve, like less pain or more energy?

For example, if you have chronic pain, they might look at what you eat or how stressed you are and suggest something like yoga, which 28.8% of people use to feel better. As a health coach, I help you figure out your goals and make a plan that fits your life.

2. A Plan Just for You

Holistic care is all about what makes you unique. Your plan might include:

• Healthy Eating: Foods like berries or fish oil to reduce swelling in your body or help with conditions like diabetes.
• Mind-Body Activities: Things like meditation or breathing exercises to lower stress, which can even reduce dementia risk by up to 40%.
• Movement: Gentle exercises like yoga or tai chi to ease pain. About 30% of cancer patients use yoga to feel better during treatment.
• Supplements: Things like probiotics for better gut health, which are super popular for mood and sleep.

Your practitioner should explain why these ideas work, like how acupuncture (covered by 15% of insurance plans) helps with pain safely. I’ll help you put these ideas into action in a way that’s easy to stick with.

3. Teamwork with Your Regular Doctor

Holistic care doesn’t mean ditching your regular doctor—it works with them. Your holistic practitioner should talk to your doctor to make sure everything is safe, especially if you’re on meds. For example, 30% of cancer centers in the U.S. connect patients with holistic experts for things like acupuncture. As a health coach, I help make this teamwork happen by explaining your holistic goals to your doctor in a way they understand, keeping everyone on the same page. If a practitioner says to skip your doctor’s advice, that’s a warning sign—good holistic care blends both, like in 75% of top U.S. hospitals.

4. You’re Part of the Process

Holistic care means you play a big role. You might keep a journal to track how you feel, use a fitness tracker to check your sleep or steps, or learn simple habits like deep breathing. These are part of the “lifestyle medicine” used by 25% of U.S. doctors’ offices. It’s about small changes, like eating more veggies or doing 10 minutes of stretching, that add up to big results. As a health coach, I give you fun tools, like journals or goal trackers, to stay excited and keep going.

5. Tracking Your Progress

You’ll see how well holistic care is working by keeping track of things like less pain, better sleep, or more energy. Your practitioner might check things like blood sugar levels for diabetes or how easily you move after starting yoga. You’ll have check-ins every month or two to tweak your plan, and some clinics (15% in the U.S.) even use cool tech like apps to track your progress. I help you understand these changes and make sure your plan keeps working for you.

6. Things to Know Before You Start

Holistic care takes time—results might show up after 8–12 weeks, like less swelling or more energy. You might run into a few bumps, like:

• Time and Effort: New habits, like meditating, take practice.
• Cost: Some treatments, like supplements, might cost extra, though 15% of insurance plans cover things like acupuncture.
• Doubting Doctors: Some doctors aren’t sure about holistic care because they don’t know enough about it (70% say they need more proof).

As your health coach, I help you tackle these challenges by finding free resources, like community yoga classes, or helping you talk to your doctor about holistic options.

How a Health Coach Like Me Helps You

A health coach is like a teammate who guides you through holistic care and connects it to your regular doctor’s advice. Here’s how I support you:

• Explaining Your Goals: I help you tell your doctor about your holistic plans, like wanting to try yoga for pain, using facts (like how it helps 35% of people) to get their support.
• Making Simple Plans: I create easy steps, like a weekly meal plan or quick breathing exercises, that fit your life and work with your doctor’s advice, like the 25% of clinics doing lifestyle medicine.
• Keeping Everyone Connected: I share your progress, like journal notes or tracker data, with your practitioners to keep your care team in sync, like the 30% of integrative clinics that do this.
• Cheering You On: I give you tools, like journals or fun goal-setting ideas, to keep you motivated, which helps 40% of people using holistic care feel better.
• Solving Problems: If costs or skeptical doctors are issues, I find affordable options or help you explain your needs, tapping into the 70% demand for holistic care.

How to Make Sure You’re Getting Great Care

To know you’re working with the best holistic practitioner:

• Check Their Training: Make sure they’re certified (like through the Institute for Functional Medicine or American Association of Naturopathic Physicians) to avoid the 20% of sketchy holistic products out there.
• Ask Questions: They should explain risks, like if supplements could mess with your meds, and use facts, since 70% of doctors want solid proof.
• Track Results: Look for clear signs you’re improving, like less pain or better energy, using a journal or app.

Ready to Feel Your Best?

Managing your chronic illness holistically is an exciting way to take charge of your health. With the right plan, you can combine healthy habits, like eating better or staying active, with your doctor’s care to feel stronger and happier. As a health coach, I’m here to make it easy, fun, and totally personalized for you.

Ready to start? Book a free 15-minute chat with me to create a holistic plan for your chronic illness! Visit My booking page to set up your appointment. Let’s team up to help you feel amazing!