Integrative Medicine

It is well documented: Acupuncture has been employed as a health care modality for over 5,000 years. Modern science has begun to understand the secrets of this ancient medicine with the support of new studies conducted by leading scientists, hospitals and medical research facilities from all over the world. Today, acupuncture is receiving wide acceptance as a respected, valid and effective form of health care.

In China, a February 2013 study conducted by the Clinical Journal of Pain concluded that low back pain, the most common musculoskeletal problem, can be relieved by acupuncture with little to no adverse side effects. In fact, the World Health Organization now recommends acupuncture for over 100 conditions. In addition to its effectiveness in pain control, acupuncture has a proven track record of treating a variety of endocrine, circulatory and systemic conditions.

Acupuncture has evolved into a complete holistic health care system, however, it is also an essential component of Integrative Medicine (IM). Integrative Medicine is healing-oriented medicine that takes account of the whole person, including all aspects of lifestyle. It emphasizes the therapeutic relationship between practitioner and patient, is informed by evidence, and makes use of all appropriate therapies.

Healing can be defined as the dynamic process of recovery, repair, reintegration, and renewal that increases resilience, coherence, and wholeness. Healing is an emergent, transformative process of the whole person-physical, mental, social, spiritual, and environmental.

Healing is a unique personal and communal process and experience that may or may not involve curing.

Defining Principle 1

Patient and Practitioner are partners in the healing process.

Defining Principle 2

All factors that influence health, wellness and disease are taken into consideration, including mind, spirit and community, as well as the body.

Defining Principle 3

Appropriate use of both conventional and alternative methods facilitates the body’s innate healing response.

Defining Principle 4

Effective interventions that are natural and less invasive should be used whenever possible.

Defining Principle 5

Integrative Medicine neither rejects conventional medicine nor accepts alternative therapies uncritically.

Defining Principle 6

Good medicine is based in good science. It is inquiry-driven and open to new paradigms.

Defining Principle 7

Alongside the concept of treatment, the broader concepts of health promotion and the prevention of illness are paramount.

Defining Principle 8

Practitioners of Integrative Medicine should exemplify its principles and commit themselves to self- exploration and self-development.