The Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine defines “integrative medicine” as “a healing-oriented approach that considers the entire person, encompassing all lifestyle aspects. It highlights the therapeutic partnership between practitioner and patient, is informed by evidence, and utilizes all suitable therapies.” An overlapping concept with complementary medicine, integrative medicine seeks to use the best of conventional and non-conventional treatments to best treat in a holistic way. Integrative medicine includes several different tools:
- Nutrition, exercise, and spirituality – these concepts are the bedrock of integrative medicine. By looking at the basics of human beings – who we are, what we do, and how we eat, we can address several issues that play a role in or even cause the problems we experience in the medical realm.
- Supplements – also called “nutraceuticals,” this category covers a variety of options we can use to improve your health. These can be excellent options for patients who respond poorly to pharmaceuticals and are looking to avoid specific side effects, or who want a more natural approach to their health.
- Pharmaceuticals – as board-certified family medicine physicians, we have been trained in and utilize medications afforded us by medical science. We aren’t limited to using pharmaceuticals, and we aren’t limited to excluding pharmaceuticals. They are a tool we can use in accordance with your values and your specific conditions.
If you’re interested in seeing our approach firsthand, how we can help you find a balance of using conventional medicine and complementary approaches that best meets your needs and values, schedule a visit with us!