8 Ways Integrative Medicine Benefits Patients

1. We treat the whole person.

Body, mind, and spirit are explored in each patient encounter. Integrative practitioners are trained in acknowledging the connection between the physical, emotional and spiritual parts of each patient.  We take into account relationships, social influences and environmental factors that impact our patient’s everyday lives and overall health.

2.  We seek out the root cause of the condition.

Patients are fed up with being treated symptomatically, while the root cause of their illness remains untouched.  Integrative providers support the patient to investigate every aspect of their life that may be negatively impacting their health. We dig to find the source of the health issue and create a treatment plan that treats the root cause.

3. We help patients save money on long-term health expenses.

By teaching our patients self-care and wellness practices, we promote preventative health which reduces doctor’s visits, illness, disease-risk and complications related to any health conditions they may have.

4. We listen & want to learn about their lifestyle, needs, and beliefs.

In the integrative approach to care, the patient is a full participant in the discovery and coordination of their treatment plan.  We aim to personalize care to develop health improvement and adherence strategies that meet the patient’s unique lifestyle needs and challenges.  There are no one-size fits all solutions.

5. We use the knowledge and skills of our colleagues in addition to our own.

We often work in collaborative care teams.  We know that one provider alone only has so much knowledge and often, we are looking at a health issue through the lens of our scope of practice.  We employ the help and healing practices of our fellow integrative providers so the patient can benefit from multiple perspectives, healing modalities and have several options for treatment.

6. We provide options beyond pills to manage illness.  

Conventional treatments today often recommend writing a prescription and sending the patient on their way.  Many patients are tired of being handed pills. For the patients that want complimentary or replacement treatments, integrative providers can provide options.  Instead of treating the acute issue or intervening when needed, we seek to optimize health and quality of life across a patient’s lifespan.

7.  We practice what we preach.

We know that to be the best healer for our patients, we ourselves must be healed. Self-care is a priority in our life, we understand its importance for our own health, and we guide our patients on their own self-care journey with confidence, because it is a part of our life.

8.  We offer hope.

Many patients come to us when they have tried traditional approaches to healing that have left them hopeless.  As we show more patients that healing comes in many forms and that each person can have a unique response to different methods, they are uplifted.

There is a new way forward in medicine and we are leading that revolution.  If you want to be a part of the paradigm shift in healthcare, join us at our Annual Conference, consider our Fellowship program, and become a Member of our community!  Show up, expand your knowledge, network, and advocate. Now is the time.