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Now You Can Have Integrative Medicine NYC

By Olivia Cross


What we refer to as conventional western medicine has made some mighty achievements. Countless lives have been saved by advances in heart surgery, neonatal care, oncology, and neurology. When we are in a serious, life-threatening medical jam, we can be confident that we will receive the best possible care. It's in the functional, rather than life-or-death, matters, that western medicine can let us down. This seems a little short-sighted, because if joint disorders, chronic conditions and mood disorders were better controlled, more people would be fit to contribute to the overall resource base. Integrative medicine nyc could be the answer to filling this gap.

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.

Much of conventional medicine is devoted to managing crises, while the integrated approach is tuned to maintaining good health. An orthopedic surgeon treating a patient with knee pain might elect to "wait" until the pain and dysfunction warrant a joint replacement. An integrated health care professional might offer advice on diet and exercise. A chiropractor or osteopath can apply a hands-on approach to successfully reduce pain and restore function and range of motion.

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.

Interest in the holistic approach to health began in the 1990s. Among the leading proponents were Prince Charles of the United Kingdom, Deepak Chopra, and Andrew Weil. By 1999, the Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative Medicine was established; as of 2014 it had 57 members, including the Johns Hopkins University medical school.

The integrative, holistic approach to modern health care is both cheaper and less invasive than many forms of conventional therapy. Relying less on drugs and surgical intervention, the holistic approach uses stress reduction, biofeedback, and nutrition, as well as ideas that used to be considered "out there, " like yoga and tai chi.

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.




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