How Does Integrative Medicine Play A Role In Healthcare?

The following is an article by Amy Sherman on Integrative medicine and the push to utilize modalities other than traditional medicine to help treat medical ailments.

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Integrative Medicine: Embracing a New Way to Heal

I thoroughly respect the medical field and am grateful doctors are available when I am in a medical crisis. However, when I have the opportunity to take charge of my medical treatment, I will search out a doctor who is in line with my way of thinking. Integrative Medicine is a movement in which doctors address the biology, psychology, spirituality and lifestyle of the individual to enhance healing and quality of life in their patients. Increasing numbers of doctors are buying into the message that traditional medicine is not the only effective way to heal and that there are other resources that can help.

Aroma therapy, meditation, yoga, bubbling fountains, music therapy, nutrition, acupuncture, and biofeedback (to reduce stress) have been shown to help cancer and heart disease patients recover and recuperate faster. Studies support that meditation reduces blood pressure, arterial restriction and boosts immune function. While stress can increase the advancement of cancer, anything that reduces stress can have the reverse effect and foster healing.

AARP surveyed its subscribers and found that 2-3 adults over 50 use some type of alternative therapy as part of their health management. However, over 70% are reluctant to discuss this option with their doctors, believing they would be considered “weird.” That, fortunately, is changing. Andrew Weil, MD. is one of the leading experts in integrative medicine and believes that we are finally experiencing a revolution in medicine that is long overdue, but necessary. People are taking active roles in their health and producing better medical outcomes.

Of course, the use of alternative therapy should have a realistic role – if you need a bypass operation, aroma therapy is not your best choice. However, for long term preventative measures to keep you and I from repeat visits to the doctor, practicing anger and stress reduction, eating nutritious foods and meditating daily may be just what the doctor ordered.

For more information on Integrative Medicine, go to National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine 888-644-6226 ow www.nccam.nih.gov

Amy Sherman is the author of “Distress-Free Aging: A Boomer’s Guide to Creating a Fulfilled and Purposeful Life” and “The Joy of Optimism” 10-Lesson eCourse.

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I think this is a great article and I encourage you to look at her book and sign up for her ecourse. The key to optimal health is taking preventative steps to avoid developing major medical problems and the long term complications that can occur if these problems are ignored or left untreated. Many of the above Integrative medicine modalities are effective at decreasing stress. Stress can be a leading contributor to many medical problems such as hypertension. Taking the appropriate steps to lower stress levels can help prevent high blood pressure from occuring and even lower  blood pressure. This may prevent many long term complications related to hypertension and decrease health care cost.

Curtis McElroy