Health, though a commonly used word, carries a lot of complex meanings that often resonate very personally with someone. 

An individual’s health is an astoundingly dynamic and multifaceted process, yet we tend to focus on very small pieces of the puzzle every time a health problem arises. We treat symptoms as they come up, but rarely do we fully address the root cause of an issue.

Integrative medicine fills in the gaps and explains that a complete outlook on health includes – in addition to physical – mental, emotional and even spiritual aspects of someone’s wellbeing. While many of the most blaring health concerns are often manifested through the physical body, it needs to be understood that each of these four areas compliment each other and intrinsically affect one another.

Integrative medicine seeks to provide a pathway forward that will allow an individual to not just survive but to thrive. If life cannot be lived and enjoyed to its fullest – in all aspects – then there is work to do.

This article will list out several key aspects about what integrative medicine is and further explain why this is important to consider when discussing one’s health.

Integrative Medicine Uses Both Natural and Man-made Treatment Options:

It is holistic, referring to the treatment of the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs of an individual. On a deeper level, a holistic treatment plan recognizes that all of these functions are integrally woven into the vitality and wellbeing of a human being. 

Integrative Medicine recognizes the importance and need for traditional medicine. If someone needs a certain medication then there is nothing in the tenets of integrative medicine that discourage such a practice. However, an integrative health plan goes beyond treating only the physical ailments of one’s health, taking the entire well-being of the client or patient into consideration.

Integrative Medicine Seeks to Treat the Root Cause of an Issue:

Consider the construction of a skyscraper. As impressive as the structure is, it requires a fair amount of routine maintenance and upkeep to be in good condition. Flooring, plumbing, electricity, drywall, and aesthetic design are all important areas that require careful consideration to avoid potential issues. If a problem does surface, sometimes it might be an easy fix, such as a clogged drain. However, if left unresolved, those smaller issues can turn into greater concerns, such as a broken pipe…which could lead to flooding, which then affects other areas such as the drywall or flooring or electrical systems. In this event of a larger systemic issue, a team of specialists may be required to resolve the issue at its core. If the root cause is not fixed, the same chain of events may repeat and, over time, takes a greater toll on the structural soundness of the building. 

While the human body is much more complex than a skyscraper, its need for routine maintenance and upkeep is also paramount. In order to remain in its best condition, regard for its entirety is key. Oversight of even one small area could be detrimental to its functional capacity. 

Integrative medicine seeks to find the root cause of a health problem and fully fix it so that problems don’t continue resurfacing. By integrating all areas of one’s health and wellbeing – physical, mental, emotional, spiritual – we are much more likely to stay on top of and manage larger concerns that may arise from a systemic oversight. 

Integrative Medicine considers human beings as…well, human beings:

An individual understands their body in a way that no one else does, regardless of education or training. It is of the utmost importance that a patient be an equal participant and partner within the healing process. Ideally, the consulted health professionals can coach the patient and give them educational resources so they have a greater understanding of how their body functions and what its specific needs are. 

Because Integrative medicine is holistic in nature, it regards all aspects of a person’s health. It aims to unify each of the four areas  of health and places the individual’s desired outcome at the pinnacle of a treatment plan, rather than as an afterthought.

Integrative Medicine Prioritizes Truth and Aims to Constantly Improve:

Perhaps one of the most appealing aspects of Integrative Medicine is its definitive drive to constantly seek improvement. It recognizes that a person’s health is not so much affected by popular trends as it is by science.

For example, it was only a few decades ago when the world touted that smoking cigarettes was beneficial to one’s health. One brand in particular even bragged that doctors smoked their cigarettes more than any other brand. Today we look back at this and scratch our heads as to why we would’ve even considered smoking as a healthful practice. Integrative medicine does not follow trends, unless there is truthful scientific backing to them. Recall that one of the key aspects to integrative medicine is placing a person’s health and needs first; To simply follow a health trend for the sake of appearing popular or even relevant would be a major disservice to the individual.

By extension, if an individual tries something that does not yield positive results then the tenets of integrative medicine state that it is crucial to evaluate the soundness of the method and find something else that does work. Integrative Medicine is a continual journey that recognizes there will always be more knowledge to gather along the path.

Conclusion:
Approaching wellness from a holistic perspective gathers information from all aspects of an individual’s health and seeks to solve the root cause of an issue. Once this has been done the individual has the ability to not only function well physically, but also have the energy and peace of mind to be able to do what they want and how they want to. There will be less limitations, more drive and desire to move well and live well.