As medicine evolves with time, so does the approach that healthcare providers take with patients. With changes in technology and access to information, patient and provider associations have changed. There are obvious techniques that are working in the healthcare system and some that aren’t. We, at Growing Healthy Together, are working towards adapting new techniques and approaches that work for you.
What is integrative medicine?
Firstly, integrative medicine is a mixture of conventional (Western) medicine and alternative medicine. We consider integrative medicine as a meeting of older and newer practices. Statistics show that as many as 30% adult Americans and 12% of American kids are using approaches outside of conventional medicine.
According to research, scientists find that integrative medicine represents care that emphasizes wellness and healing. Thus, healthcare providers practicing integrative medicine are now using conventional, complementary, and alternative medicine to inform their practices.
At GHT, we employ multiple methods to treat and prevent illness or disease. For example, we like to help patients keep up good health practices. Alternative methods include using more “natural” products and using holistic methods. These methods incorporate individuality into your patient care. Furthermore, we may recommend that you use certain herbs, vitamins, or minerals in response to some minor problems. For example, we may like to use probiotics to regulate GI function, instead of using medications. Also, we may recommend using petroleum jelly for eczema.
Folk Medicine
Many of our alternative methods come from older methods of wellness. Traditionally, we have used folk medicine to treat our ailments. For example, many families use chamomile tea or yerba buena for stomach issues. Honey has been used for centuries for cough relief. Some families use a hot-cold, or yin-yang, approach.
These are great methods of managing minor illnesses at home. In many cases, you can use folk remedies in addition to Western medicine to decrease symptoms. However, it is important that you seek treatment for more serious cases. Honey can only do so much for a bad upper respiratory infection, for example. If you are unsure of treatment, contact your healthcare provider. We at GHT are happy to help you learn how to integrate folk medicine with Western medicine.
Other alternative methods:
- Acupuncture
- Massage therapy
- Meditation
- Relaxation techniques
- Tai chi/yoga/other relaxing disciplines
- Chinese medicine
- Homeopathy
- Naturopathy
Finally, every family that comes through our doors is different in some way. With all of the varying belief systems and personal ideas of health, we like to come to a middle ground at GHT. Furthermore, we like our families to feel safe and taken care of, and your opinions heard. Together, we can build a health plan we can both feel proud of.
In conclusion, for questions or comments, respond to this blog or contact us!
