Introduction to Integrative Medicine
Integrative medicine is an approach to wellness that is growing in popularity in the United States. It is patient-centered and combines conventional medicine and complementary medicine to treat the person as a whole. It addresses many factors, including the physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and environmental influences on a person’s health status. Integrative medicine focuses on the broader concepts of health that promote a person’s overall health and future well-being. Reviews and clinical studies have shown positive outcomes for patients and providers who participate in integrative medicine programs.
Benefits of Integrative Medicine
Complementary therapies are not used to replace conventional treatments. They are used in conjunction with conventional medicine to enhance and complement treatment. Complementary therapies include diet therapy, herbal supplements, probiotics and vitamins, biofeedback, hypnotherapy, meditation, yoga, acupuncture, chiropractic, reflexology, and therapeutic massage. Integrative medicine practitioners include professionals of many disciplines, including medical doctors, nurse practitioners, doctors of osteopathic medicine, naturopaths, chiropractors, mental health professionals, mind-body specialists, massage therapists, and acupuncturists.
Many patients can benefit from integrative medicine, especially patients with chronic or complex medical conditions such as cancer, chronic pain, depression, diabetes, hypertension, fibromyalgia, and many other conditions. Complementary therapies may help people living with such conditions to achieve better appetite, improved cognitive functioning, pain relief, reduced anxiety, and improved sleep.
Risks and Challenges Related to Integrative Medicine
While there are many benefits to integrative medicine, there are some risks to be aware of. Integrative medicine often involves care from multiple practitioners. This may involve multiple appointments for the patient to keep. Providers may disagree on the plan of care since complementary therapies and traditional Western medicine have different philosophies. Some complementary therapies have side effects or interact negatively with conventional treatments.
As a medical provider, it’s important for you to be aware of the benefits and risks of any complementary or conventional therapies a patient is receiving. Complementary therapies should only be used if proven to be effective, safe, and appropriate for a person’s individual health status. Open communication with your patients and their providers is crucial to optimize patient outcomes and maintain a good physician-patient relationship.
Get More Resources and Information to Stay Educated
It is critical to educate yourself on the various integrative medicine options. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health website has resources for healthcare providers that includes an A-Z listing of various health products and practices, including information about the safety and effectiveness of the products and practices. It also includes evidence-based resources, such as research results and clinical practice guidelines, which will help prepare you to discuss complementary health approaches with your patients.
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