Integrative Medicine
Integrative medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that combines conventional Western medicine with complementary and alternative therapies. The goal is to treat the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—not just the disease.
Here’s a breakdown of what that means:
Conventional Medicine
This includes the typical treatments you'd find in hospitals or clinics:
- Prescription medications
- Surgery
- Radiation or chemotherapy
- Diagnostic tools like blood tests and MRIs
Complementary & Alternative Therapies
These are added to support overall well-being and healing, such as:
- Herbal medicine
- Supplements
- Nutrition and lifestyle counseling
- Red Light Therapy
- Hormone replacement therapy
Core Principles of Integrative Medicine:
Patient-centered care: The relationship between patient and provider is a partnership.
Whole-person focus: Looks at physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual factors.
Evidence-based: Uses therapies that have scientific support or strong traditional use.
Prevention and lifestyle: Emphasizes healthy living, not just treating illness.
It's often used for chronic conditions (like pain, stress, or fatigue), but also for overall wellness.