Integrative medicine is a relatively new term that is used to describe a type of medicine that combines both traditional and alternative treatments. Alternative medicine is any treatment that falls outside of the mainstream, while integrative medicine refers to treatments that are used in addition to traditional therapies. So, what exactly is integrative medicine? And how is it different from alternative medicine?
What is integrative medicine and what are its goals?
Integrative medicine is a type of medicine that uses a combination of traditional and alternative therapies to treat the whole person – mind, body, and spirit. The goal of integrative medicine is to promote health and well-being, rather than simply treating disease.
Traditional medicines tend to focus on treating the symptoms of disease, while integrative medicine takes a more holistic approach. Instead of just treating the symptoms, integrative medicine tries to find the root cause of the problem and address it accordingly. This means that integrative practitioners may use a variety of different therapies, including herbal supplements, acupuncture, massage therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy.
So, what exactly are the benefits of integrative medicine? One key benefit is that it takes a more natural approach to healing. This is because integrative practitioners believe that the body has an innate ability to heal itself. By using a combination of traditional and alternative therapies, integrative medicine can help the body to achieve balance and optimum health.
Another benefit of integrative medicine is that it takes into account the whole person – mind, body, and spirit. This means that integrative practitioners will often look at a person’s lifestyle and diet in order to find ways to improve their overall health. For example, if a person is eating an unhealthy diet, an integrative practitioner may recommend making some changes in order to promote better health.
How does integrative medicine differ from alternative medicine?
The biggest difference between integrative and alternative medicine is that integrative medicine is used in addition to traditional therapies, while alternative medicine is used instead of traditional therapies.
Integrative practitioners believe that there are many different paths to health, and that a combination of traditional and alternative therapies can be the most effective way to achieve optimum health. In contrast, alternative practitioners may believe that traditional medicine is ineffective or even harmful, and that alternative therapies are the only way to achieve good health.
Another key difference between integrative and alternative medicine is the approach each takes to healing. As we mentioned before, integrative practitioners take a more holistic approach, looking at the whole person – mind, body, and spirit – in order to find ways to promote better health. Alternative practitioners, on the other hand, tend to focus on treating the symptoms of disease.
Both integrative and alternative medicine can be effective ways to improve your health. However, it’s important to understand the differences between these two approaches before deciding which one is right for you. Talk to your doctor about integrative and alternative medicine, and make sure to find a practitioner who is experienced and certified in the type of medicine you’re interested in. With integrative or alternative medicine, you can take control of your health and improve your overall well-being.
Who can benefit from integrative medicine?
There is a growing body of evidence to support the efficacy of integrative medicine. A recent review of studies found that integrative therapies can be effective for a variety of conditions, including pain, anxiety, depression, and fatigue (Lee et al., 2012).
While there are some risks associated with integrative medicine, these are typically related to the use of specific therapies, such as acupuncture or herbal supplements. It’s important to talk to your doctor about any potential risks before starting any integrative therapy.
Integrative medicine can be beneficial for anyone who wants to improve their overall health and well-being. However, it may be particularly helpful for people who have chronic conditions or who are dealing with stress and anxiety. Talk to a doctor at the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine about integrative medicine and whether it may be right for you.