Integrative medicine is an approach to care that seeks to integrate the best of Western scientific medicine with a broader understanding of the nature of illness, healing and wellness. Easily incorporated by all medical specialties and professional disciplines, and by all health care systems, its use not only improves care for patients, it also enhances the cost-effectiveness of health care delivery for providers and payors.
A practical strategy, integrative medicine puts the patient at the center of the care and addresses the full range of physical, emotional, mental, social, spiritual and environmental influences that affect a person's health.By treating the whole person, both the patient's immediate needs as well as the effects of the long-term and complex interplay between a range of biological, behavioral, psychosocial and environmental influences are addressed. This process enhances the ability of individuals to not only get well, but most importantly, to stay well.
The defining principles of integrative medicine are:
The patient and practitioner are partners in the healing process.
All factors that influence health, wellness and disease are taken into consideration.
The care addresses the whole person, including body, mind, and spirit in the context of community.
Providers use all appropriate healing sciences to facilitate the body's innate healing response.
Effective interventions that are natural and less invasive are used whenever possible.
Because good medicine is based in good science, integrative medicine is inquiry-driven and open to new models of care.
Alongside the concept of treatment, the broader concepts of health promotion and the prevention of illness are paramount.
The care is individualized to best address the persons unique conditions, needs and circumstances.
Practitioners of integrative medicine exemplify its principles and commit themselves to self-exploration and self-development.
Gofor the report, "Integrative Medicine: Improving Health Care for Patients and Health Care Delivery for Providers and Payors"
Gofor the report, "The Efficacy and Cost-Effectiveness of Integrative Medicine"
Goto learn about The Summit on Integrative Medicine and the Health of the Public and listen to the presentations
Goto read stories from patients who have been helped with integrative medicine
Excerpt from:
Integrative Medicine - The Bravewell Collaborative
- 001 Turmeric and Amla Health Remedies [Last Updated On: April 4th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 4th, 2010]
- 002 Turmeric and Amla Health Remedies [Last Updated On: April 4th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 4th, 2010]
- 003 Sunlight May Help Protect Men From Kidney Cancer [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- 004 Sunlight May Help Protect Men From Kidney Cancer [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- 005 Weak Kidneys Cause Weak Bones [Last Updated On: April 15th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 15th, 2010]
- 006 Weak Kidneys Cause Weak Bones [Last Updated On: April 15th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 15th, 2010]
- 007 High Red Meat Consumption Linked to Colon Cancer [Last Updated On: April 21st, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 21st, 2010]
- 008 High Red Meat Consumption Linked to Colon Cancer [Last Updated On: April 21st, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 21st, 2010]
- 009 Beetroot Juice May Boost Stamina [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2010]
- 010 Beetroot Juice May Boost Stamina [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2010]
- 011 Health care reform bill dooms America to Pharma-dominated sickness and suffering [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2010]
- 012 Health care reform bill dooms America to Pharma-dominated sickness and suffering [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2010]
- 013 Baking soda can clean your teeth, clear your complexion [Last Updated On: May 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 9th, 2010]
- 014 Baking soda can clean your teeth, clear your complexion [Last Updated On: May 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 9th, 2010]
- 015 Preventing Heart Disease [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2010]
- 016 Aspirin May Increase Risk of Crohn's Disease [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2010]
- 017 Aspirin May Increase Risk of Crohn's Disease [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2010]
- 018 Sweet and Natural? [Last Updated On: July 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2010]
- 019 Vinpocetine shows promise for chronic inflammation [Last Updated On: July 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2010]
- 020 Acupuncture May Trigger Natural Painkiller [Last Updated On: July 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2010]
- 021 Neurological and Immune Reactive Conditions Affecting Kids [Last Updated On: July 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2010]
- 022 A not so rare but frequently disregarded Metabolic Disorder - Pyrroluria [Last Updated On: July 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2010]
- 023 McDonald's threatened with lawsuit over toys in Happy Meals [Last Updated On: July 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2010]
- 024 Vinpocetine shows promise for chronic inflammation [Last Updated On: July 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2010]
- 025 Neurological and Immune Reactive Conditions Affecting Kids [Last Updated On: July 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2010]
- 026 Acupuncture May Trigger Natural Painkiller [Last Updated On: July 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2010]
- 027 A not so rare but frequently disregarded Metabolic Disorder - Pyrroluria [Last Updated On: July 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2010]
- 028 Brown rice and other whole grains can prevent type 2 diabetes [Last Updated On: July 17th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 17th, 2010]
- 029 Brown rice and other whole grains can prevent type 2 diabetes [Last Updated On: July 17th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 17th, 2010]
- 030 GHC's Dr. Ed Group joins Natural News Talk Hour [Last Updated On: July 22nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 22nd, 2010]
- 031 GHC's Dr. Ed Group joins Natural News Talk Hour [Last Updated On: July 22nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 22nd, 2010]
- 032 Secrets Your Dentist Doesn't Want You To Know [Last Updated On: July 28th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 28th, 2010]
- 033 Secrets Your Dentist Doesn't Want You To Know [Last Updated On: July 28th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 28th, 2010]
- 034 Molecule Discovery Might Help ALS Patients [Last Updated On: August 3rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: August 3rd, 2010]
- 035 Molecule Discovery Might Help ALS Patients [Last Updated On: August 3rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: August 3rd, 2010]
- 036 Hydrogen Peroxide Cures Disease [Last Updated On: August 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: August 14th, 2010]
- 037 Hydrogen Peroxide Cures Disease [Last Updated On: August 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: August 14th, 2010]
- 038 Eating meat may cause severe allergic reactions in some people [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- 039 Positive Brain Changes Seen After Body-Mind Meditation [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- 040 Bacteria May Predict Chances of Colon Cancer [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- 041 Herbs Help Treat Diabetes: Bilberry, Gymnema, Ginkgo and Salt Bush [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- 042 How People With Type 2 Diabetes Can Lose Weight, Keep It Off: Study [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- 043 Eating meat may cause severe allergic reactions in some people [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- 044 Positive Brain Changes Seen After Body-Mind Meditation [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- 045 Colloidal silver to boost immunity and overall health [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- 046 Bacteria May Predict Chances of Colon Cancer [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- 047 Herbs Help Treat Diabetes: Bilberry, Gymnema, Ginkgo and Salt Bush [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- 048 How People With Type 2 Diabetes Can Lose Weight, Keep It Off: Study [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- 049 Severe Low Blood Sugar Won't Harm Brain [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2010]
- 050 Severe Low Blood Sugar Won't Harm Brain [Last Updated On: October 17th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 17th, 2010]
- 051 Experimental Treatment Could Fight Muscular Dystrophy [Last Updated On: October 18th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 18th, 2010]
- 052 Western medicine teams up.. [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2010]
- 053 Chinese mushroom found to have powerful anti-aging benefits [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2010]
- 054 Exercise in Adolescence May Cut Risk of Deadly Brain Tumor [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2010]
- 055 Experimental Treatment Could Fight Muscular Dystrophy [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2010]
- 056 Western medicine teams up.. [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2010]
- 057 Chinese mushroom found to have powerful anti-aging benefits [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2010]
- 058 Exercise in Adolescence May Cut Risk of Deadly Brain Tumor [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2010]
- 059 Amino acids are latest in growing list of nutrients shown to extend life span [Last Updated On: November 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 14th, 2010]
- 060 Vitamins and Good Sense [Last Updated On: November 29th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 29th, 2010]
- 061 Malpractice Fears Can Influence Medical Practice [Last Updated On: November 29th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 29th, 2010]
- 062 Liver diseases identified as Europes silent killers [Last Updated On: November 29th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 29th, 2010]
- 063 Dangerous Fungus Now Endemic in Pacific Northwest: CDC [Last Updated On: December 7th, 2010] [Originally Added On: December 7th, 2010]
- 064 Tobacco firms bypass marketing restrictions with clever web campaigns [Last Updated On: December 15th, 2010] [Originally Added On: December 15th, 2010]
- 065 Dying cancer patients subjected to expensive, meaningless cancer screening tests [Last Updated On: December 15th, 2010] [Originally Added On: December 15th, 2010]
- 066 Vitamin B6 Cuts Colon Cancer Risk [Last Updated On: December 23rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: December 23rd, 2010]
- 067 Drink your sleep troubles away: tart cherry juice helps beat insomnia [Last Updated On: January 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2011]
- 068 Mercury-Caused Endocrine Conditions Causing Widespread Adverse Health Effects [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2011]
- 069 The downfall of science and the rise of intellectual tyranny [Last Updated On: January 29th, 2011] [Originally Added On: January 29th, 2011]
- 070 Woman finds cancer cure in dairy-free diet based on anti-cancer plants [Last Updated On: February 3rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: February 3rd, 2011]
- 071 Drink your sleep troubles away: tart cherry juice helps beat insomnia [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2011]
- 072 Mercury-Caused Endocrine Conditions Causing Widespread Adverse Health Effects [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2011]
- 073 The downfall of science and the rise of intellectual tyranny [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2011]
- 074 Woman finds cancer cure in dairy-free diet based on anti-cancer plants [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2011]
- 075 Alcohol more dangerous than cocaine or heroin [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2011]
- 076 Toxic chemical carcinogen found in water supplies nationwide [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2011]
- 077 Toxic chemical carcinogen found in water supplies nationwide [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2011]
- 078 Alcohol more dangerous than cocaine or heroin [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2011]
- 079 Salt increases heart attack and stroke risk, even if blood pressure is normal [Last Updated On: February 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: February 27th, 2011]
- 080 Salt increases heart attack and stroke risk, even if blood pressure is normal [Last Updated On: February 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: February 27th, 2011]