INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE

Integrative medicine refers to the use of alternative medicine in conjunction with standard or traditional medicine.  The acronym CAM stands for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.  Integrative medicine combines the approaches of scientifically proven traditional medicine with some forms of CAM for which there is evidence of both safety and effectiveness. 

Alternative medicine on its own is the use of non-traditional treatments instead of - not in addition to - traditional care.  We do not advocate the use of alternative medicine instead of traditional medicine in our practice.

However, the combination of conventional medicine (also called standard, traditional, Western or allopathic medicine) with some (but not all) non-traditional medicine, has often been found to achieve better results than either standard or non-traditional medicine would accomplish on their own.

There is little scientific evidence supporting most forms of alternative medicine.  They do share a focus on individualizing treatments, treating the whole person, promoting self care and self healing, and a recognition of the spiritual nature of the individual.

Some examples of alternative medicine include: Acupuncture, Hypnosis, Aroma therapy, Massage therapy, Chiropractic, Reflexology, Meditation, Yoga, Magnet therapy, Light therapy and Herbal remedies.

The two forms of alternative medicine that we have sometimes found useful in our practice, when combined with traditional medicine, are hypnosis and acupuncture.