Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Everything You Should Know About 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.

Integrated health offers patients a wealth of options that were not available ten years ago. Treatments that were once considered fringe therapies, such as chiropractic and acupuncture, are steadily developing an evidence base that gives them the credibility they once lacked.

Integrated health also embraces a holistic approach to health maintenance. Osteopaths and chiropractors have been doing this for years. That is why they are so friendly and chatty while they are manipulating your muscles, bones and joints together. They are not just making conversation like your hairdresser or barber, they are gaining vital clues about your personality and lifestyle so they can provide a treatment plan that is tailored to your individual needs and situation.

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.

Doctors and patients alike are warming up to the practice of integrated health. To be successful, it requires a partnership between patient and healer. The goal is to treat the body, mind, and spirit at the same time. As one of the most stressful cities on the planet, there is a strong argument for incorporating a more holistic, balanced approach to the maintenance of health and wellness in New York City.




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