Holistic Anatomy: An Integrative Guide to the Human Body

by Pip Waller

Overview

An engaging and accessible exploration of human anatomy, physiology, and pathology—through a holistic lens

Complementary and alternative approaches to health and medicine have become increasingly widespread as the limits of conventional treatments become more apparent. Holistic Anatomy presents an authoritative study of anatomy, physiology, and pathology, but it expands the discussion by connecting the science of the body to a variety of alternative modalities to explore how human beings exist within—and interact with—their environment, and how they experience existence in emotional and spiritual terms.

Author and massage therapist Pip Waller interweaves basic scientific terminology and detailed descriptions with informal—and sometimes humorous—observations, facts, and ideas about life. The mechanisms, structure, and functions of the body are explored, along with how they relate to spiritual and energetic paradigms, emotions, and ecological principles. The first half of the book covers basic anatomy and physiology, describing each major system of the body and how they interrelate. This part includes a thoughtful discussion of aging and the dying process. The second half focuses on models of health and disease, both traditional and holistic. Topics include western pathology, emotional health, five element medicine, and the spiritual cause for disease.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781556438653
Publisher:	North Atlantic Books
Publication date:	02/16/2010
Pages:	416
Sales rank:	536,140
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Pip Waller is a medical herbalist and massage therapist who also practices plant spirit medicine and shamanic healing. She has taught at the Blarney Centre of Acupuncture and Reflexology in Ireland and currently teaches at the Academy of Natural Health in London and at the Meridian School of Massage in Birmingham. She lives in North Wales, UK.

Table of Contents

Introduction xiii

Section 1 How the Body Works 1

Chapter 1 An Orientation to the Human Body 3

Chapter 2 The Chemistry of Life 15

Chapter 3 Cells and Tissues-Histology 32

Chapter 4 Between Within and Without-The Skin or Integumentary System 53

Chapter 5 Them Bones, Them Bones?Them Dry Bones-The Skeletal System 63

Chapter 6 Movement-The Muscular System 81

Chapter 7 Transport-Circulation and Blood in the Cardiovascular System 89

Chapter 8 Drainage-The Lymphatic System 114

Chapter 9 The Army and the Cleaners-The Immune System 119

Chapter 10 Breathing-The Respiratory System 135

Chapter 11 Eating and Food Processing-The Digestive System and Diet 146

Chapter 12 The Liver 175

Chapter 13 Water Works-The Urinary System 183

Chapter 14 Wiring-The Nervous System 191

Chapter 15 Glands and Hormones-The Endocrine System 215

Chapter 16 The Birds and the Bees-The Reproductive System 229

Chapter 17 Experiencing the Outside World-The Special Senses and Touch 260

Chapter 18 From Newborn to Elder-Development and Aging 272

Chapter 19 Interrelationships-How the Systems (and Everything) Inter Connect 279

Chapter 20 Dropping the Robe-Death and Dying 292

Section 2 Health and Disease 305

Chapter 21 A Brief Introduction to Western Pathology 307

Chapter 22 Toward a Holistic Paradigm 317

Chapter 23 Emotional Health-Mind-Body Connections 327

Appendix A A Brief Introduction to Five Element Traditional Chinese Medicine-A Complete Holistic System 340

Appendix B Spiritual Cause of Disease-The Shamanic Perspective 353

Resources 359

Notes 367

Index 375

About the Author 397

Editorial Reviews

Pip Waller's Holistic Anatomy is a welcome antidote to the outdated, nineteenth-century view of the human body as a series of replaceable mechanical parts. She joins with few others in beginning the necessary work of more accurately understanding the body as a closely coupled grouping of highly responsive, nonlinear organ systems. Such a change is essential to producing true healing for human beings rather than merely reducing symptoms and sending people on their way. It marks the movement toward a more human approach to healing, for this more accurate understanding of the human body moves us away from seeing people as organic machines and toward the ancient recognition that everything, including our bodies, is intelligent, alive, and aware.”
—Stephen Harrod Buhner, author of The Lost Language of Plants and The Secret Teachings of Plants

“Holistic Anatomy is a fascinating journey through the intricacies of the human body. It is fun, practical, and informative, giving a real understanding of the way the body works. It is also at the cutting edge of thought, offering a totally new way of relating the structures and systems within the body to the much wider world outside—to culture, spirituality, and the environment. Pick it up and enjoy the journey!”
—Lucy Harmer, author of Discovering Your Spirit Animal and Shamanic Astrology

“Open this book anywhere and read a paragraph; you'll want to read more. Keep reading—you'll enjoy yourself while finding out about the human body. You will also get a glimpse here and there from an unexpected perspective!”
—Eliot Cowan, author of Plant Spirit Medicine

“This startling book looks at anatomy, physiology, and pathology in a refreshing new way: holistically and in the context of life and culture.… Highly recommended.”
—Kath Antonis, medical herbalist, registered nurse, and clinical teacher

“I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who is even vaguely intrigued by the ‘how’ and ‘why’—and more importantly, the ‘what if’—of their existence …”
—Karen Chagouri, editor of In Touch magazine, holistic therapist, and doula

“This book is written in a style that is very easily understood, instead of just being factual information. It feels as though Pip is there with you explaining things to you in a way that really makes sense.”
—Phil Pepin, massage therapist

“Our miraculous bodies are spirit manifested as flesh, says Wales-based medical herbalist Pip Waller in her refreshing, holistic perspective on anatomy and physiology. Her book, which includes information that's not taught in medical schools, is an alternative to a medical textbook and is aimed at students of holistic medicine and energy healing as well as interested laypeople… This informative guide is easy to read with clear illustrations.”
—Nexus Magazine

“Holistic Anatomy: An Integrative Guide to the Human Body provides a fine blend of anatomy, physiology and pathology to explore the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of how humans exist within and interact with their environment. Scientific terminology and detailed descriptions are woven with observations of life and health in a fine guide for any alternative health collection.”
—Midwest Book Review

“Holistic Anatomy is a breath of fresh air for anyone who is interested in the human body but isn’t quite ready for medical school… The book’s easy to use format makes it an important anatomy book for students, and healers within any holistic discipline. Pip Waller has a fantastic sense of humor, and the book is much more than a course in anatomy… Waller is warm and engaging and approaches many topics through her own lens… In short, this book is easy to read and reference and would complement any adult education anatomy course or home library. The text would also be useful for home school education as well as acupuncture, chiropractic, massage and yoga education. I just wish Pip had written it ten years ago.”
—HealthyNewAge.com

From the Publisher