Alternative and Integrative Medicine
Alternative and Integrative Medicine
Alternative and Integrative Medicine
Alternative, integrative, or complementary medicine is a term used to describe any diagnosis or treatment method outside of mainstream medicine norms.
Mainstream medicine is another term for diagnosing and treating disease based on treatments proven by scientific data to achieve the best possible outcome. This medical practice is most commonly seen in developed nations.
Integrative Medicine
Integrative medicine looks at all proven treatments available for the healing of the whole person — body, mind, and spirit — and forms an individualized/personalized treatment plan for a person’s healing and the prevention of future illness or disease. Common alternative medicine treatments in the mental health arena (that are used in conjunction with mainstream medicine) include fitness plans, nutrition counseling, pain management, emotional support animals, pastoral counseling, and talk therapy.
Alternative Medications
Alternative medicine only looks at treatments outside of mainstream medicine, and it also focuses on the whole person — mind, body, and spirit. Numerous studies have found that while some of these treatments help, others don’t help at all or can be dangerous when combined with existing medications.
Integrative Medicine:
Integrative medicine looks at all proven treatments available for the healing of the whole person — body, mind, and spirit — and forms an individualized/personalized treatment plan for a person’s healing and the prevention of future illness or disease. Common alternative medicine treatments in the mental health arena (that are used in conjunction with mainstream medicine) include fitness plans, nutrition counseling, pain management, emotional support animals, pastoral counseling, and talk therapy.