What are General & Integrative Medicine ?

I often describe my practice of medicine as general, because it is the best descriptive term that expresses my ability to address a multitude of medical issues, from minor injuries and illnesses to more complex issues and disease processes.  This is the medicine I was trained to practice, and for which I am Board-Certified. 

However, truth is I practice a combination of both General and Integrative medicine.  I combine my knowledge of both general Western approaches to disease management with non-Western approaches.  This is my choice, because I believe it is the most complete way to practice medicine. 

Integrative v.
Conventional?

Convention medicine is that branch of medicine that takes a broad, scientifically-based view to medical problems from a Western point-of-view.  It does not necessarily address the whole person, and its emphasis is on treating disease, not prevention.  Under this reductionist system, things are more black and white, a single-problem single-solution approach with no concept of self-healing.  The patient is seen as a passive recipient of the treatments.  It rejects therapies and medical systems that do not fit into its scientific model. 

In contrast, Integrative medicine is the following:

·      Complementary and inclusive of a variety of therapies

·      Holistic (mind, body and spirit are seen as connected)

·      Treats the whole person (not just the disease)

·      Embraces the person (patient has active role in healing)

·      Identifies Multiple factors (individuals and problems are recognized
       as complex, requiring multi-dimensional solutions)

·      Focuses on natural, non-toxic therapies

·      Believes in the body’s ability to heal itself

Why integration?

Persons and problems are complex systems with a multitude of simultaneous factors that may be influencing a disease process.  Sure, we can just focus on the factor at hand, but my goal is to improve overall health and well-being, not just one aspect of health.  That is why I have embraced integrative medicine as my mode of practicing medicine.  It offers me more tools to bring to the table to help each patient achieve optimum health, particularly those with more complex issues that have failed to find a solution within the conventional Western model. 

 Preventative Medicine

Prevention is the key to a long health-span (the time of your life spent unburdened by disease).  I practice Preventative Medicine by teaching patients how to get well and stay well.  Most of these issues are addressed during the yearly General Health Screening [create hyperlink], where we screen for preventable diseases.  I also address preventative issues further throughout the year, depending on individual circumstances. 

This is a working relationship, where I see myself as a partner and guide in each of my patient’s health journey.  I do my part to direct each of my patients in the right direction, but ultimately I encourage each person to take responsibility for their own health.  A successful health journey starts with the person’s desire to invest in their health.  That means coming to talk about prevention when no problems seem to be at hand or if there is a significant family history of major diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease.  The most successful prevention is that done before these conditions have fully manifested.

Medical Acupuncture