When it comes to emergencies like strokes, heart attacks and automobile accidents, we are all grateful for high-tech, high-powered conventional medicine. When afflicted with less life-threatening but nonetheless debilitating conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia or ADHD, western medicine often falls short. Maybe it's lack of resources, maybe its lack of interest or maybe just snobbery. A new approach is emerging that combines what are sometimes called alternative treatment approaches with evidence-based medicine. In particular integrative medicine nyc is gaining momentum.
A blend of what we fondly call alternative therapy and evidence-based care is emerging. This aims to treat the whole individual, not just the part that hurts. This is partly down to the fact that treatments like chiropractic and acupuncture have been clinically trialled and are gaining validity in the medical establishment.
The integrated, holistic approach to health and wellness treats the whole person, not just a specific organ or organ system. Therapists often maintain an open line of conversation while they are treating their patients. This is so that they can learn more about the patient's lifestyle and personality. In this way, they can tailor their treatment plan to suit the needs of their patient and have a better chance of securing compliance.
While much of western medicine is "crisis management, " the integrated approach is aimed at healing the whole person. A patient walks into the doctor's office complaining that they are tired all the time and have no motivation to do the things they are supposed to do. In the old days, the doctor would reach for the prescription pad and offer the patient antidepressants.
A case in point is the patient who comes in to the doctor's office to complain about general malaise and fatigue. The conventional clinician may well write out a prescription for an antidepressant, while an integrated practitioner might ask strange-sounding questions about dry mouth, eyes, or feet. Positive responses to these symptoms might indicate an autoimmune disorder called Sicca syndrome, which might be better treated with a completely different class of drug, the DMARD, or disease-modifying anti-rheumatoid drug.
The integrated health movement began in the mid 1990s. By the end of the decade, a consortium of health centers was founded to promote the research and practice of integrated medicine in academia. By 2014, its membership had swelled to 57 members, including the prestigious medical school at Johns Hopkins University. Leading proponents of the paradigm include Deepak Chopra, Andrew Weil and the Prince of Wales, Charles Windsor.
Integrative approaches to health care are less invasive than conventional medicine and, in many cases, less costly. Rather than surgical or medical modes of treatment, holistic practitioners are more likely to rely on tai chi, meditation, nutrition, and yoga. Biofeedback and stress reduction are also well-used tools in the holistic practitioner's repertoire.
Both doctors and patients are viewing integrated health with more enthusiasm than ever. For it to work, both patient and healer must be committed to working as a partnership. The aim is to reduce stress and reduce stress-related illness. In New York City, one of the most stressful places on the planet, this can only be a good thing.
A blend of what we fondly call alternative therapy and evidence-based care is emerging. This aims to treat the whole individual, not just the part that hurts. This is partly down to the fact that treatments like chiropractic and acupuncture have been clinically trialled and are gaining validity in the medical establishment.
The integrated, holistic approach to health and wellness treats the whole person, not just a specific organ or organ system. Therapists often maintain an open line of conversation while they are treating their patients. This is so that they can learn more about the patient's lifestyle and personality. In this way, they can tailor their treatment plan to suit the needs of their patient and have a better chance of securing compliance.
While much of western medicine is "crisis management, " the integrated approach is aimed at healing the whole person. A patient walks into the doctor's office complaining that they are tired all the time and have no motivation to do the things they are supposed to do. In the old days, the doctor would reach for the prescription pad and offer the patient antidepressants.
A case in point is the patient who comes in to the doctor's office to complain about general malaise and fatigue. The conventional clinician may well write out a prescription for an antidepressant, while an integrated practitioner might ask strange-sounding questions about dry mouth, eyes, or feet. Positive responses to these symptoms might indicate an autoimmune disorder called Sicca syndrome, which might be better treated with a completely different class of drug, the DMARD, or disease-modifying anti-rheumatoid drug.
The integrated health movement began in the mid 1990s. By the end of the decade, a consortium of health centers was founded to promote the research and practice of integrated medicine in academia. By 2014, its membership had swelled to 57 members, including the prestigious medical school at Johns Hopkins University. Leading proponents of the paradigm include Deepak Chopra, Andrew Weil and the Prince of Wales, Charles Windsor.
Integrative approaches to health care are less invasive than conventional medicine and, in many cases, less costly. Rather than surgical or medical modes of treatment, holistic practitioners are more likely to rely on tai chi, meditation, nutrition, and yoga. Biofeedback and stress reduction are also well-used tools in the holistic practitioner's repertoire.
Both doctors and patients are viewing integrated health with more enthusiasm than ever. For it to work, both patient and healer must be committed to working as a partnership. The aim is to reduce stress and reduce stress-related illness. In New York City, one of the most stressful places on the planet, this can only be a good thing.