Integrative Medicine is an intelligent combination of conventional and alternative therapies. It is healing-oriented medicine that takes into account the whole person (mind, body and spirit), including all aspects of a person's lifestyle. It combines conventional Western medicine with alternative treatments from ancient Eastern practices, such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage, biofeedback, yoga, and stress reduction techniques — all in the effort to treat the "whole" person.

Integrative Medicine emphasizes the therapeutic relationship between the patient and practitioner. It is evidence-based and makes use of all appropriate therapies, both conventional and complementary. It emphasizes the broader concepts of health, healing, and preventive care using interventions that are natural, less invasive, and more cost effective.

Integrative Medicine involves customized, personal care that involves the whole person perspective. This integrative approach allows participants to achieve or maintain the best health possible. The idea of a close patient/practitioner relationship often improves patient care and outcomes. It is state-of-the-art modern medical care drawn from the very best medicine strategies.

 

Some of the services provided as part of Integrative Medicine include lifestyle modification, such as stress reduction techniques, health maintenance/prevention, mind/body practices, breathing exercises, risk reduction, recommendations for healthy use of supplements, mindfulness and exercise.

An integrative approach can also assist with chronic illnesses that have not improved with conventional therapies alone by using a holistic approach to wellness and utilizing nutrition recommendations.

 

Some recommendations that might be provided by an Integrative Medicine practitioner include:an anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle, nutritional counseling/healthy eating plans to helping to achieve ideal body weight, and considering alternative therapies that may be used to work with your conventional therapies.

In addition to addressing immediate health problems, as well as the deeper causes of the disease or illness, IM strategies focus on prevention and foster the development of healthy behaviors and skills for effective self-care that patients can use throughout their lives.

To learn more about Integrative Medicine call Juli Johnson, APRN, at 405-773-6400