The Lowdown on Integrative Medicine

Integrative medicine is a complementary and alternative medicine practice focused on the individual being treated. It examines his/her lifestyle and then uses all available therapies. It is used in conjunction with traditional medicine to amplify its efficacy.

Integrative medicine stresses on the relationship between the patient and practitioner involved in the healing process. The patient is assessed on the basis of mind, spirit and community and every other factor that can have a bearing on their health. It believes in the use of interventions that are more natural and less invasive. Integrative medicine is inquiry-driven and open to experimentation.

It also focuses on strategies to promote health and prevent illness.

Common practices of integrative medicine

• Meditation
• Acupuncture
• Music therapy
• Dietary Supplements
• Aromatherapy
• Massage therapy
• Animal-assisted therapy

Integrative medicine (IM) can help treat fibromyalgia, chronic pain and fatigue, anxiety and even cancer. It helps relieve the stress and worry associated with the symptoms of these conditions.

Integrative medicine practices are not substitutes for conventional medical interventions. There are certain therapies that are recommended for some people and some therapies that are not.

Let’s take a closer look at the IM practices listed above-

Meditation is a self-relaxing technique to improve concentration and alleviate stress and anxiety. It has been practiced in various cultures and traditions over centuries. Meditation can be focused or mindful. There are certain seating postures that can help with meditation as well as the use of prayer beads. Some of the religions that practice meditation are – Jainism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Islam and Christianity.

Acupuncture is a method of treatment derived from Chinese medicinal practices where needles are inserted into the patient's body for relieving pain. It has not been validated by science and is used as alternative therapy for relieving discomfort associated with chemotherapy and relieving the symptoms of menopause.

Music therapy is a creative arts therapy where music is used to help patients with physical, emotional and mental complaints. Only trained healthcare professionals and music therapists can engage in a music therapy program.

Dietary Supplements are products that are consumed in order to supplement a person's everyday diet and to improve health. They contain nutrients and minerals that are derived from food sources or made synthetically.

Aromatherapy uses essential oil fragrance to enhance physical and mental well-being. Lemon, chamomile, lavender, cedarwood and bergamot are the natural plant extracts most commonly used in this holistic mind and body healing treatment.

Massage therapy helps to relieve stress and tension from the body. It can also lower your blood pressure and heart rate. It has been proven to reduce depression. Massage therapy is usually provided by massage therapists and physical therapists and practitioners.

Animal-assisted therapy

makes use of animals as a form of complementary therapy to traditional practices for improving an individual’s cognitive, social and emotional well-being. Horses, dogs, cats, pigs and birds are among the animal life used. It can help individuals with acute or chronic illnesses and also works as a form of psychotherapy.

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