What is Integrative Medicine?
What is Integrative Medicine?
Integrative medicine is a term that refers to the combination of conventional medical practice and some complementary and alternative medicine practices. [1]
Integrative medicine applies the best of conventional and complementary or alternative medicine to be integrated into our healthcare system. [1]
Complementary medicine refers to treatments based on the principles of naturopathic medicine that may be used as adjuncts to conventional medical treatments, which are not taught in medical schools. [6]
Integrated medicine has a deeper meaning and mission, as it views the patient as a whole person, and focuses on health and healing rather than the symptomatic treatment of disease. [6]
It values the importance of the doctor-patient relationship, focuses on the whole person, and makes use of all appropriate therapeutic approaches and disciplines to achieve optimal health. [2]
This approach is more likely to produce improved outcomes, including symptom relief, functional status, patient satisfaction, and possibly cost-effectiveness. [1]
Despite the widespread use of complementary and alternative medicine practices, less than 40% of patients disclose this information to their general practitioner, which may indicate a patient's reluctance to share their viewpoints. [1]
This could also reflect a lack of trust in the doctor-patient relationship, a perception of a negative response from the primary care physician, or dissatisfaction with the conventional healthcare system. [1]
Integrative approaches to chronic disease management can improve functionality, reduce morbidity, improve quality of life, and have a direct impact on disease processes. [1]
Integrative medicine emphasises the significance of psychological stress and its impact on overall health. [3]
The evidence is compelling; psychological stress is linked to poorer health outcomes, including infectious and chronic disease, morbidity and mortality rates, illness development, as well as the impact on recovery. [4]
Integrative Medicine for Chronic Pain
Chronic pain continues to be one of the most challenging health problems worldwide. Many patients with chronic pain are prescribed opioids, which is contributing to the opioid crisis. [5]
Chronic pain, primarily of musculoskeletal origin, is one of the most common reasons patients seek out an integrative medicine practitioner, as psychosocial, behavioural, and lifestyle-based interventions are recommended for chronic pain syndromes. [2]
In patients with chronic pain syndromes, integrative medicine has been shown to improve pain intensity and disability, health-related quality of life, mental health outcomes, and can help reduce the use of opioids. [2,5]
Integrative Medicine and Disease Prevention
The value of disease prevention and health promotion is becoming more widely recognised. Integrative medicine tends to be philosophically aligned with environmentalism and social justice, and it is concerned with the negative effects of medical treatment. [1]
The ultimate goal of integrative medicine is to provide patients with the widest range of appropriate options available. This may include lifestyle counselling, dietary education, stress management techniques, and the use of natural products to promote health. [1]
The full range of complementary medicine approaches includes goal setting, pain, and chronic disease management, symptomatic control, and risk reduction. [1]
How Integrative Naturopathic Medicine Can Work Alongside Conventional Medicine
Conventional medicine has become overly reliant on costly technological solutions to health problems, even when these solutions are ineffective. [6]
In its pursuit of technology, it has abandoned vitalism and holism and simple yet effective interventions such as nutrition, dietary and lifestyle modification, and mindfulness training employed in many alternative medical systems. [6]
Patients want to be guided through the confusing maze of therapeutic options, especially when conventional approaches are unsuitable, ineffective, and harmful. [6]
Most patients seek out complementary naturopathic medicine because they are dissatisfied with conventional medicine.
According to research, complementary and alternative practitioners help patients take more responsibility for their health, and as a result, feel more in control of their illness. [6]
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DR ALAIN FRABOTTA is a highly qualified and experienced integrative chiropractor and functional medicine naturopathic doctor in Sydney since 1995.
With a specific interest in the treatment, prevention, and management of complex chronic diseases, including stress management and mental health.
Alain provides a holistic, person-centred, multidisciplinary, solution-focused, results-driven approach.
He integrates chiropractic, naturopathic and functional medicine, nutrition, counselling, and coaching to help you bridge the gap between your physical, mental, and spiritual health.
Alain is the leading integrative chiropractic and functional medicine naturopathic doctor in Sydney who wants to help you achieve your health and well-being goals as well as reach your full potential in life.
He is also dedicated to providing you with a personalised, targeted treatment approach that employs functional and genomic assessments to diagnose and optimise your health, well-being, and performance.
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or feedback
+ REFERENCES
[1] Ali, Ather, and David L Katz. Disease Prevention and Health Promotion: How Integrative Medicine Fits. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2015;49(5):S230–S240.
[2] Saha FJ, Brüning A, Barcelona C, et al.. Integrative medicine for chronic pain. Medicine. 2016; 95 (27): e4152.
[3] Snyderman R, Weil AT. Integrative medicine: bringing medicine back to its roots. Arch Intern Med. 2002;162(4):395–397.
[4] Schneiderman N, Ironson G, Siegel SD. Stress and health: psychological, behavioral, and biological determinants. Annu Rev Clin Psychol. 2005;1:607–628
[5] Hassan S, Zheng Q, Rizzolo E, Tezcanli E, Bhardwaj S, Cooley K. Does Integrative Medicine Reduce Prescribed Opioid Use for Chronic Pain? A Systematic Literature Review. Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.). 2020;21(4):836-859.
[6] Rees L, Weil A. Integrated medicine. BMJ. 2001;322(7279):119-120. doi:10.1136/bmj.322.7279.119