Integrative medicine is an emerging field of medicine that combines conventional medical practices with alternative therapies such as acupuncture, massage therapy and nutrition counseling. The goal of integrative medicine is to help patients achieve optimal health by addressing all aspects of their health, including physical, mental and emotional needs. South Florida integrative medicine practitioners often refer to themselves as “holistic” doctors because they take into account the patient’s entire life situation when making treatment recommendations.
Your body is designed to heal itself and if you could live in a perfect environment, where food was abundant and free from pesticides and toxins (including plastics), where water was clean, where air was clean, where stress was minimal and your mind was at peace, then you would have no reason to get sick. Unfortunately, most of us live in environments that are not conducive to health, even if we live somewhere as beautiful as South Florida.
A healthy lifestyle informed by integrative medicine will help you manage your symptoms and prevent illness. But many people are tempted to take medications when they have a minor illness or pain. It’s easy to forget that there are many natural ways to treat common ailments — from headaches to sinus infections — and avoid harmful side effects or drug interactions.
Natural therapies through integrative medicine can be used alone or alongside conventional treatments in South Florida. Some of these include:
Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been practiced for thousands of years in China and other Asian countries. Today it’s used by millions of people around the world to treat a wide range of conditions. Acupuncturists in integrative medicine use fine needles to stimulate specific points on the body’s meridians, or energy pathways. The stimulation can help relieve pain and reduce stress levels. The practice also involves deep breathing exercises known as qigong (chi kung) that are designed to promote healing at every level of our being — physical, spiritual and emotional.
Meditation
Meditation is another ancient practice that has been proven effective at treating stress-related problems such as depression and anxiety disorders. Meditation in integrative medicine helps us deal with difficult situations by helping us learn how to focus our attention on one thing at a time instead of letting our minds jump from one thing to another like bees buzzing around flowers. It also helps us accept things we cannot change rather than becoming frustrated
Massage therapy
Massage therapy is a type of integrative medicine bodywork that involves the manipulation of soft tissue, joints and muscles to enhance health. Massage therapists in South Florida manipulate the soft tissues of the body — such as muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia — to increase circulation, relieve pain, reduce stress and promote relaxation.
Reveal Vitality is committed to integrative South Florida medicine , no matter the circumstances.