What is Integrative Medicine?!

A topic that is close to my heart, integrative medicine is a widely misunderstood or unknown approach to health care. It is often confused with terms such as "alternative medicine", or more commonly, CAM ( Complementary and Alternative Medicine). While these terms do share a common theme and can be used in conjunction with one another, integrative medicine is an approach all on its own. Let's start with breaking down these terms so they are better understood...

Alternative Medicine: is a term for practices and medicine that is not used in standard care. Popular examples of alternative approaches include: herbalism, aromatherapy, acupuncture, chiropractic medicine, naturopathy, reflexology, reiki, and Tai Chi to name a few. Alternative medicine is used in lieu of modern medicine (conventional medicine) at the patient's discretion. For example, a patient may opt to be treated with acupuncture for arthritic pain rather than be prescribed pain medications. 

CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) : is a term used to describe the use of alternative and modern medicine being used together to influence healing in a patient. Complementary medicine literally complements modern medicine by allowing the patient to take advantage of alternative methods of healing while being treated with modern medicine. For example, a patient would be allowed to seek a chiropractor while being prescribed pain medications for a troubled back. 

Conventional (Modern) Medicine: is a term used to describe conventional methods of treatment still being used in clinics and hospitals. It utilizes synthetic medicine for treatment and it often chooses an invasive approach to healing. It focuses more on alleviating the symptoms of a disease rather than promoting preventative measures to reduce existing and future illness. For example, a person suffering from gall bladder attacks, would be advised to remove the gall bladder entirely. While laparoscopic surgery is less invasive than a laparotomy, the risk of surgery still remains.   

Integrative Medicine: is a term used to describe a healing approach that focuses on a patients mind, body, and soul. It is selective in its use of scientifically validated medicine and therapies from a CAM approach as well as a conventional approach. It also focuses on a holistic approach that actively involves the patient in their own care. Dr. Andrew Weil describes the purpose of integrative medicine by gathering the main points in a list of principles. 

The Principles of Integrative Medicine according to Dr. Weil: 

- A partnership between patient and practitioner in the healing process.

- Appropriate use of conventional and alternative methods to facilitate the bodies innate healing response.

- Consideration of all factors that influence health, wellness and disease, including mind, body, spirit, and community

- A philosophy that neither rejects conventional medicine nor accepts alternative therapies uncritically. 

- Recognition that good medicine should be based in good science, be inquiry driven and be open to new paradigms.

- Use of natural, effective, less-invasive interventions whenever possible. 

- Use of the broader concepts of promotion of health and the prevention of illness as well as the treatment of disease. 

- Training of practitioners to be models of health and healing, committed to the process of self-exploration and self-development. 

The entire purpose of an integrated approach to healing is to be open minded enough to use alternative methods of healing as well as be rational enough to use conventional methods when necessary. Both approaches should be critically analysed according to the patients case and their needs. The least invasive approach is utilized first if the patient is not in a state of emergency. The patient is to be regarded as an entire individual taking into account their mental, emotional, physical and spiritual well-being as well as their connection within a community. An integrated approach also takes preventative measures into account in order to prevent future illness.  

On a personal note, I firmly believe that an integrative approach is the way of the future in medicine and health care. In order to do this, we need to take our alternative healers seriously while conducting more research to prove the healing benefits of such approaches. Alternative healers should also be responsible in their practice by seeking proper education and by knowing all risks involved with their healing methods. Conventional medicine should not de discredited because it is considered "mainstream". Medicine and health care should never be seen as a trend. 

Humanity is progressive and ever evolving. It's time to stop fighting change, instead we need to start utilising the benefits of an integrative approach...