Integrative medicine is all about creating the best possible reality regarding wellness for those struggling with complex diseases and chronic conditions. 

As an approach to medicine, integrative medicine combines conventional medicine with its potential for surgery, use of medications and lifestyle changes along with complementary medicine, which involves therapies and treatments like yoga, meditation, chiropractic, acupuncture, etc. 

What sort of provider delivers integrative medicine?

Normally, an individual will work with a team of providers, and in rare cases an individual practitioner who has both the traditional medicine knowledge base and also uses complementary medicine. 

In regards to traditional western medicine, providers include individuals who have undergone formal medical training and have knowledge of conventional therapies. They practice evidence-based care. There are many options for experts who provide this sort of care: nurse practitioners, doctors of osteopathy, medical doctors, physician assistants, etc. 

In regards to complementary medicine, the experts can have a very diverse backgrounds. They may include board-certified practitioners who have gone through a series of exams, and other licensed therapists, like acupuncturists, massage therapists, doctors of naturopathic medicine and chiropractic practitioners. 

How does integrative medicine help an individual? 

Integrative medicine is all about utilising the strengths and effects of different techniques, to deliver that essential whole-person care. The goal is to always work on the mind, body and spirit with the aid of conventional medicine and complementary therapies. None of the complementary therapies replaces conventional treatments, however. Their goal is to further aid in the treatment of complications and symptoms of the condition. 

Who can rely on integrative medicine? 

A lot of individuals can benefit from integrative medicine. Mainly people with chronic (long-lasting) medical conditions or complex illnesses can be top recipients of the benefits this medical approach has to offer. The physical ailments that common users of integrative medicine are struggling with include cancer, asthma, diabetes, chronic pain, joint pain, nausea, sciatica, neck pain, irritable bowel syndrome, infertility, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, etc. There are also mental illnesses that one may wish to address with integrative medicine: insomnia, depression, addiction, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), etc. 

What sort of complementary therapies are usually recommended? 

The complementary therapies encompass a wide range of potential treatments and categories. Here are a few of the most popular ones: 

• Natural remedies – the basis of this treatment involves the use of substances found in nature to help with nutrient levels. Diet therapy is a common example, which includes going on a specific diet. A doctor can also recommend herbal supplements derived from seeds, berries, flowers oils, roots, etc. 
  
  
• Mind-body practices – these are practices that strengthen the connection between physical and mental dimensions of health. Common examples include hypnotherapy, meditation, biofeedback and yoga practices. All of them are aimed at providing better self-awareness and mindfulness to better deal with things like racing thoughts, anxiety and stress. 
  
  
• Bodywork – these therapies are aimed at improving wellbeing and physical health. They include acupuncture, reflexology chiropractic adjustments and therapeutic massage. 
  
  

What benefits does integrative medicine hold? 

The main benefit is that this approach to treatment unifies the disease-focused therapies of Western medicine with the healing potential of the complementary therapies described above. This approach can help people with complex illnesses and conditions achieve better appetite, peace of mind, pain relief, better sleep, better cognitive function, etc. 

Are there any downsides? 

The only potential downside to integrative medicine is that appointments will often include seeing more than one doctor, which means it takes special scheduling and timing. 

© 360 Health Clinic

When you see a functional medicine practitioner, you need to consider their resolve and willingness to assist you. They wish nothing but to help you overcome your current health obstacles and prevent future ones for you to enjoy life better. 

That being said, some functional medicine practitioners miss the mark and make certain mistakes, which impact the results their clients seek negatively. Understanding these mistakes is a useful way to make the work of these practitioners more effective and ultimately more rewarding for their clients. Let’s see a quick rundown on the most common blunders: 

Doing too many tests – when you do an annual check-up, your doctor likely recommends some tests. These aim to give them some knowledge of your condition, such as blood sugar and cholesterol levels, blood count, and others. There are also functional lab tests, aiming to discover certain imbalances before any symptoms appear. But doing a whole lot of tests doesn’t equate to getting better care. It is more important that practitioners go through the fundamentals first, like ensuring you build healthy sleep habits, get on a healthy diet and integrate regular exercise. A functional lab test is not always needed, let alone useful if you are disregarding the functional medicine basics for good health. 

No follow-up – in the core of functional medicine lies the change of unhealthy habits into better ones. And that is just not easy. The best results come to those who have a clear idea of why they are changing their habits, coupled with refinement and repetition. That is exactly what a practitioner should do – guide you through change and help you get back on track. That is not something they do in a single session. They need to guide every step of the journey to healthy life changes. 

Doing the right things in the wrong order – many practitioners want to do the right thing for their clients, but they do so in the wrong order. What this means is that they mostly follow a one-size-fits-all protocol, which just is not the way to go. Everyone is different and what works for one person, may completely throw off another one. For instance, if a functional medicine practitioner is recommending detoxification, they need to consider whether the client is having some side effects. For instance, if the person is having constipation, detoxification first needs to follow a resolution of the problem, and not just take place at the same time. Personalisation of the plan needs to take place, based on the person’s needs and condition. 

Way too heavy focus on supplements – functional medicine practitioners know that supplements are a powerful tool for healing, and they don’t shy away from recommending them. But sometimes they prescribe them without addressing the major problem of the person. Clients should inquire more about the philosophy of supplements. For the most part, these are temporary tools, which should not make the bulk of the therapy. If a practitioner thinks otherwise, they are wrong. 

Not addressing diet – often people come with serious problems, which they have tried to overcome through various means. And far too often it turns out that their practitioner has failed to discuss diet. Food is a powerful healing tool and it can improve a person’s condition. Diet modification often leads to the best changes in condition and health. 

All of these mistakes are red flags that the practitioner you are seeing perhaps needs more experience. Work with someone who avoids such issues. 

© 360 Health Clinic

In life, smart choices will take you far. The same can be said about every aspect of life, but it is especially true for health. Your wellbeing and health is your greatest asset, so it makes sense to invest in it. And that is exactly what preventive medicine aims to teach people. By taking some simple steps, you can ensure that you live a happy and healthy life to the fullest. Here are a few things you should consider in that regard: 

• Work on your food choices – one of the ways to prevent disease is to avoid highly-processed foods and instead eat homemade meals with some basic ingredients. The highly-processed food we eat links to higher rates of all-cause mortality, by causing chronic inflammation, diabetes, cancer and heart disease. Some examples of these foods to avoid include coffee creamers, milkshakes, doughnuts, chips, white bread, breakfast cereals, protein bars, cookies. Most of the healthy diets include vegetables and fruits, as well as whole grains and healthy oils, like extra-virgin olive oil. That is something you need in your meals, to eat healthily. 
  
  
• Be mindful of your blood pressure – even if you think you don’t have high blood pressure, it is important to do regular checks, as that is not something you would normally pay attention to. The definition of normal blood pressure is around 120/80 mmHg. Having higher than that increases the risk for a stroke or heart disease. One way to manage high blood pressure is to take active steps to lose weight, lead a healthy lifestyle and mind your overall weight. 
  
  
• Check your cholesterol levels – checking your cholesterol regularly is good, since it is an indication of your overall health. High cholesterol is a factor for heart disease and stroke, so it is not a thing to ignore. 
  
  
• Get moving – doing physical exercise doesn’t always need to be in a gym or some other kind of structured environment. What matters the most is that you are frequent in your efforts to get some exercise and that you invest the time and energy to do it right. For instance, you can set a goal of making 10000 steps a day, which is a fine way to reduce the chance for chronic illness. And it is not like you need to do it all at once – you can instead choose to do physical activities in 10-20 minute increments. 
  
  
• Manage your blood sugar – if you want to be preventive on your health, cut back on the sugary foods, the soda and all sorts of desserts, which cause blood sugar to rise. If you suffer from diabetes, it can damage your kidneys, eyes and heart. Managing your weight, eating smart and keeping a watchful eye on what factors cause your blood sugar levels to spike up is the way to go. Quit smoking and manage your weight as a way to improve your chances of keeping blood sugar within healthy levels. 
  
  
• Get enough restful sleep – sleep plays a major role in how well you feel overall, plus it restores your body. If you have some trouble with the sleeping department, it is best to work on a routine. For example, aim to go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day and limit your screen time before going to bed. You can listen to calming music, read a good book or practise some yoga to improve your chances of getting some good sleep. 
  
  

It is important to pay closer attention to all of these preventive tips, which guarantee a healthy lifestyle. 

© 360 Health Clinic