Integrative medicine applies an evidence-based approach to treat the entire person– your mind, body and soul. Your physical, emotional, mental as well as spiritual needs are all included, so integrative medicine uses a combination of therapies. It “integrates” conventional techniques and complementary therapies to attain optimal health and healing.
What is integrative medicine?
Integrative medicine focuses on you as an entire person and not only your ailment or condition. While it aims to know the underlying cause of your symptoms or illness, it does so by considering your total mind, body and spirit. Integrative medicine uses an evidence-based approach to improve your health and well-being.
Integrative medicine believes your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs affect your health. It believes those needs rely on each other and affect your entire health. There are many different elements to address, so integrative medicine uses a combination of therapies and lifestyle modifications.
With integrative medicine, the relationships between you and your doctors are very important. You are equal partners in your healing process. Integrative medicine strives for well-coordinated treatment amongst various providers and professionals. It combines conventional healthcare methods (like medication and psychotherapy) and complementary therapies (like acupuncture and yoga). By doing this, integrative medicine “integrates” all aspects of your well-being to attain optimum health and healing.
What types of integrative medicine are available?
Integrative medicine covers a wide range of methods, techniques and therapies. Integrative medicine techniques might consist of:
Acupuncture
Acupuncture utilizes thin needles to maintain the flow and balance of your body’s energy (Qi). This can help trigger your body’s natural healing capability.
Chinese herbal therapy
Certified Chinese herbalists use formulas from a traditional Chinese medicine text. It contains thousands of herbs, minerals and various other extracts and their designated purposes.
Chiropractic therapy
Chiropractic doctors conduct soft tissue manipulations and adjust your spine and joints.
Culinary medicine
Culinary medicine combines the evidence-based science of food, nutrition and medicine with the joy and art of cooking. It may use special diets, such as vegan, low-carb and FODMAP to improve your wellness. Culinary medicine can help improve and/or reverse common chronic conditions.
Holistic psychotherapy
Holistic psychotherapy uses evidence-based treatments to improve mood, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other symptoms.
Massage therapy
Massage therapy uses soft tissue manipulation and body movement to support health and well-being. It can help address physical problems and improve clinical outcomes.
Reiki
Reiki is a method of energy healing that involves balance. It restores your body’s natural energy fields. It can improve vitality, balance your emotions and improve your health. Reiki might help ease symptoms of different conditions.
Yoga and tai chi
Yoga and tai chi combine certain postures and movements with breathing to unify your mind and body.
What are the benefits of integrative medicine?
Integrative medicine techniques support your body’s natural ability to heal. It helps you minimize stress and promotes a state of relaxation that results in improved health. It can help you achieve optimal health when you take part in your own healing and feel empowered to make lifestyle changes. Adding integrative medicine to your health routine can help you reclaim control of your well-being.
Integrative medicine utilizes a combination of treatments and lifestyle adjustments to treat and heal the entire person. It focuses on your complete mind, body and soul and uses an evidence-based approach to improve your health and well-being. With integrative medicine, the relationship between you and your Integrative Medicine Doctor is very important. Always remember, you are an equal partner in your healing process. Keep open communication with each of your providers to help you get the most out of treatment.
