What is Integrative Medicine?

A Revolution in Health and Healing

The practice of medicine that reaffirms the importance of the relationship between practitioner and patient has come to be called Integrative Medicine. It focuses on the whole person, is informed by evidence, and makes use of all appropriate therapeutic approaches, health care professionals and disciplines to achieve optimal health and healing. Simply stated, it combines state-of-the-art medical treatments with carefully selected evidence-based complementary therapies.

The term "integrative medicine" may be new for many people. It is a natural outgrowth of many different healing systems-blending cultures and ideas, both old and new. Integrative medicine addresses all aspects of an individual's life to attain optimal health and healing. It integrates the whole person into health care.

Integrative medicine provides services across the continuum of care. On one end of the continuum, there are preventive and diagnostic medical examinations, surgeries and medicines. These services extend to physical therapy, nutritional therapy, movement and exercise, health psychology and to appropriate complementary therapies such as acupuncture, botanicals and supplements, stress reduction and mind-body interventions.

Integrative medicine is often mistakenly used interchangeably with "complementary medicine" or "alternative medicine." It is much more. It strongly emphasizes the very best of conventional medicine and cutting-edge diagnosis and treatment, with appropriate complementary therapies. Whenever possible, it favors the use of low-tech, low-cost interventions. All factors that affect health, wellness, and disease are considered, including the psychosocial and spiritual dimensions of a person's life. It brings patients and caregivers into a partnership to achieve the patient's optimal health and healing.

Adding Complementary Medicine Therapies to Medical Treatment

Complementary therapies are now more often included in the medical treatment for heart disease, cancer and other serious illnesses. Scientific research and emerging evidence supports this approach to health and healing.

For instance, researchers have demonstrated that techniques based on Eastern traditions, including acupuncture, yoga, meditation and guided imagery can reduce stress and anxiety, produce physiologic improvement and better clinical outcomes.

In addition to scientific studies and clinical care, coordinating a patient's care among all practitioners is a cornerstone of the integrative medicine approach. For example, your primary care physician, your surgeon, you nurse practitioner, your nutritionist, your massage therapist and your acupuncturist all work in unison-and with you-toward your health goals.

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Duke at the Forefront of Health Care for the Future

Building on the best of conventional medicine, Duke Integrative Medicine is leading a health care revolution that brings together multidisciplinary care to address the needs of the whole person. Our approach to integrative medicine is reflected in our Wheel of Health framework - a philosophy and strategy for achieving health and healing. We recognize that "mindfulness" and sustainable, positive behaviors create healthier lives.

Our physicians continue to work at the frontiers of medical care, staying actively engaged in a wide variety of research projects. This ensures that our patients benefit from the latest findings and medical technologies.