Who would benefit from Integrative Medicine?

Any person who is interested in looking beyond the Western Medicine paradigm for complementary approaches to their health challenge could benefit from an Integrative Medicine Consultation. Many patients come to work on chronic or life altering conditions including chronic fatigue, autoimmune disorders, fibromyalgia, metabolic syndrome, pain management or assistance with cancer treatment. Others come who have an interest in exploring alternatives to conventional therapies or in disease prevention. Most success is achieved when a patient takes an active role in the healing process. This requires dialogue and mutual decision making, and is usually an ongoing process.

What is Integrative Medicine?

Integrative Medicine attempts to blend the experience and success of contemporary Western Medicine, based on the traditional medical model, with that of other therapies used throughout the world, some of which have been used over many centuries. In addition, Integrative Medicine is based on the individual's needs and is less likely to rely on protocols or routine formulas.

Given this, there is no typical example of what a patient will get from a visit to a practitioner who utilizes the integrative approach. However, you can expect that the health care provider has a good working knowledge of alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, Feldenkreis, Jin Shin Jyutsu, yoga, nutritional supplements, and dream work and guided imagery.