Integrative medicine consultations
You’ll work with a doctor or a nurse clinician who takes account of your whole person—mind, body and spirit—using natural, integrative and conventional medicine.
This may be especially helpful when you’re:
- dealing with a hard-to-treat health issue
- looking for an approach focused on the body’s natural ability to heal, using fewer drugs or invasive treatments
- wanting to explore acupuncture, massage, meditation or other holistic therapies—sometimes called alternative medicine
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What it is integrative medicine?
An integrative medicine consultation is a visit with a doctor or nurse clinician to address a health issue or goal using a holistic approach that focuses on the mind, body and spirit.
The consultation is designed to get to the bottom of what is causing your health issue or concern. That is more than determining if you have a disease or illness, but also understanding the root problems like stress, nutrition, past trauma and sleep patterns.
Your provider may offer a care plan that includes additional integrative therapies such as acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine or nutrition consultations.
What to expect from your integrative medicine consultation
Your first integrative medicine consultation will be about an hour long.
- Your provider will work with you to understand your personal and family health history, medications, supplements, diet, lifestyle choices, health concerns, symptoms and health goals.
- Any needed tests will be ordered.
You will then partner with your provider to:
- create a care plan to address the underlying causes of any health problems
- gain knowledge and tools to improve your own well-being
- learn about options that may complement or replace medications or invasive treatments like surgery
- get referrals to other holistic experts for acupuncture, massage therapy, integrative psychology, Resilience Training, integrative nutrition, biofeedback, spiritual direction, traditional Chinese medicine or other services.
You will have follow-up visits with your integrative medicine provider as needed.
More about integrative medicine
Integrative medicine consultations are not intended to replace appointments or relationships with primary care or specialty doctors. We will partner with you and your current care providers.
You will visit with a provider who has the same education as doctors and nurse practitioners but has additional training in holistic health approaches.
Integrative medicine can be good for treating
- allergies
- arthritis
- asthma
- autoimmune conditions
- back pain
- cancer
- diabetes
- digestion problems
- fibromyalgia
- fatigue
- gastrointestinal problems
- headaches or migraines
- heart disease
- high blood pressure
- hormone problems
- irritable bowel syndrome
- menopause
- obesity
- stress
- thyroid problems
- women’s health issues
Related links
Source: Penny George Institute for Health and Healing
Reviewed by: Debra Bell, MD
First published: 3/7/2017
Last reviewed: 8/5/2021