​Holism is characterized by treatment of the whole person and considers physical, mental, and social factors, not just symptoms of disease. Acupuncture is just one example of holistic medicine. The goal of holistic medicine is to prevent and reverse chronic disease by treating both the mind and the body. It is based on the idea that no single part can be understood except in its relation to the whole. Other examples of holistic medicine include diet and exercise modifications, yoga, massage, and vitamin supplementation.