Holistic Healing: Integrative Medicine Approaches By Top Physicians
Health Care

Holistic Healing: Integrative Medicine Approaches By Top Physicians

When people say they are healthy, they normally refer to their physical health. While your physical health is definitely important, it is only a part of your holistic well-being. If you are physically fit and suffer from mental health issues, your well-being will be hampered and you won’t be living a fulfilling life.

A holistic approach to integrative medicine involves healthcare professionals focusing on your complete well-being. It is not limited to your physical health but allows you to feel wholesome on all fronts. Depending on your needs, you can reach out to a general physician or one or more specialists for suitable integrative medicine approaches.

Before diving deeper into the different approaches to integrative medicine, let us quickly understand what this realm of healthcare services is all about.

What Is Integrative Medicine?

Integrative medicine is a field of healthcare services that focuses on healing an individual as a whole. It does not target specific organs or systems within a patient’s body. Instead, it aims to secure your complete well-being, looking after your physical, mental, and emotional health.

Having said that, it is important to know that integrative medicine does not overlook your existing health conditions. It helps you reach an ideal state of well-being while tackling your current health complications. Integrative medicine is an evidence-based approach used by several healthcare professionals across the globe. It is interested in the underlying causes that lead to all kinds of distress and complications within your body, mind, and soul.

A holistic approach to integrative medicine is often an ideal mix of lifestyle changes and therapies. Your healthcare professional will understand your body and mind’s makeup to dive deeper and heal you from the inside out. From conventional healthcare practices like medication and psychotherapy to complementary therapies like yoga and acupuncture, integrative medicine is a blend of multiple practices that ensure your well-being.

Who Provides Integrative Medicine?

Here are some of the most common healthcare professionals who provide integrative medicine:

  • General physicians
  • Acupuncturists
  • Chiropractic doctors
  • Psychotherapists
  • Massage therapists
  • Nutritionists
  • Herbal therapists
  • Tai Chi professionals
  • Yoga practitioners

For best results, you may need help from multiple healthcare professionals listed above. You can also obtain integrative medicine at home if an expert offers doctor on call services.

What Can Integrative Medicine Cure?

Let us now have a look at common healthcare issues integrative medicine tackles:

  • Chronic and acute pains
  • Autoimmune disease
  • Migraine
  • Cancer and related side-effects
  • Breathing problems
  • Fatigue
  • Cold
  • Flu
  • Infertility
  • Menstrual complications
  • Digestive problems
  • Mental health issues
  • Weight-related problems
  • Hypertension
  • Sleep-related issues

Common Integrative Medicine Approaches By Top Physicians

Physicians are often qualified to tackle a range of different health complications. Most of these healthcare professionals provide integrative medicine to their patients, helping them lead long, healthy, and fulfilling lives.

Here are some of the most common approaches to integrative medicine used by top physicians in the pursuit of holistic health:

Nutrition And Dietary Practices

Inadequate nutrition and unhealthy diet lead to a plethora of health complications. Many general physicians give their patients personalized advice on diet and nutrition. Depending on your weight, age, height, and medical history, a physician will guide you in eating well and following a healthy diet.

As many physicians are family doctors and know the common thread of health issues running in a family, they are the best experts to suggest healthy dietary practices to their patients. From limiting calorie intake to focusing on specific (micro or macro) nutrients, your general physician is qualified to give you holistic advice on matters related to your diet.

Mind-body Techniques

There is often a direct link between your mental and physical health. Effective mind-body practices use this link to ensure your holistic well-being. Practitioners of such therapies help you with yoga, guided imagery, Tai Chi, and other practices to utilize your mind’s complete potential. Mind-body techniques not only relax you but also improve your physical healing process.

Having said that, you should know that such practices alone will not help you recover from a physical health condition. You can always opt for this approach to integrative medicine along with conventional medical care. While conventional care will kick start your journey to recovery, mind-body techniques will help you recover faster.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is another common integrative medicine approach used by multiple healthcare professionals across India. It is an ancient Chinese practice of inserting needles into specific areas of your body. Acupuncture has a proven record of stimulating energy flow, and promoting holistic well-being.

Seamless energy flow through acupuncture also helps patients alleviate symptoms of multiple illnesses, improve digestion, and manage pain. Ensure that you seek a professional’s help for the best results. If you are suffering from a serious health issue, do not rely solely on acupuncture for healing. Also, ask your doctor if this practice is suitable for your body before taking any major decision.

Herbal Medication

Herbal medication has helped people tackle multiple ailments for several centuries. It is a common and effective integrative medicine approach that ensures your holistic health. Here, healthcare professionals recommend the most suitable medicinal herbs or medicines prepared from them depending on the issue at hand.

Just like other approaches, it is never advisable to take any of these remedies at face value. Ensure that the healthcare professional you work with has a proven track record and recommends legitimate medicines. If you have any doubts, you can always consult your family doctor or simply do a quick Google search.

Physical Approaches

These approaches to integrative medicine involve physical touch. Here, qualified practitioners use practices like massage therapy, chiropractic care, osteopathy, physical therapy, and more to tackle specific health issues.

Physical approaches are often used for treating musculoskeletal conditions. For example, physical therapy is given to patients after surgeries to help them regain mobility. You can recover from issues like arthritis, sports injuries, severe backache, etc. with these approaches. In most cases, they are given to patients after they go through conventional surgeries and receive conventional medications.

Functional Medicine

Functional medicine is an integrative medicine approach that is more interested in the root cause of an illness. Practitioners of this approach believe that identifying the underlying cause of a health condition and tackling it is the best way to ensure an individual’s well-being.

If you approach a healthcare professional for functional medicine, they may recommend tests to assess matters like your hormonal health, nutritional deficiencies, etc. Depending on these assessments, they will chart out a personalized healthcare plan for your recovery.

Lifestyle Changes

This is a fairly vast area of integrative medicine that may include many procedures and therapies. In all, it is concerned with making necessary changes in your lifestyle to ensure holistic well-being. Your lifestyle directly influences your physical, mental, and emotional health. Once approached, your doctor will take note of the same and recommend personalized changes you should make to your lifestyle. They may also refer you to suitable specialists who can guide you better in changing your lifestyle.

Mindfulness Practices

In most cases, our stress and anxiety levels increase because of a lack of mindfulness. We are so lost in our thoughts that we end up weaving a spider’s web for ourselves. Practices like cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction help you declutter your mind and feel calmer.

When you approach the right professionals, they will recommend the best practices for your condition. This approach is likely to boost your resilience and promote emotional well-being.

Must Read: The Roles of a General Physician in Modern Healthcare

 

Key Benefits Of Integrative Medicine

Now that we know the different approaches used by healthcare professionals, let us have a look at the key benefits of integrative medicine:

Holistic Care

A holistic approach to integrative medicine helps you recover physically, mentally, and emotionally. Holistic well-being is always an ideal state to be in throughout your life.

Focus On Personalization

Integrative medicine often steers away from the “one-size-fits-all” approach. Depending on the patient’s condition, medical history, and mental makeup, a healthcare professional uses tailor-made treatment or therapy to heal them.

A Blend Of Conventional And Complementary Therapies

Staying true to its name, integrative medicine gives you the best of both worlds – conventional medicine and complementary therapies. This reduces side effects and ensures the longevity of the patient’s well-being.

Supportive Care

Most approaches to integrative medicine offer supportive care to patients struggling with various health conditions. While they may not be suitable for stand-alone treatments, they act like catalysts to enhance a patient’s recovery.

Receive Integrative Medicine At Home From Qualified Healthcare Professionals With Docville

If you are in need of integrative medicine without venturing out of your home, Docville helps you receive holistic care at home. We give you access to qualified, trained, and experienced general physicians in Mumbai who will cater to all your healthcare needs. Whether you need home nursing care, a home visit doctor, or prompt medical advice to tackle various health complications, a single platform makes remote healthcare services accessible to you. With Docville, we aim to eliminate the gap between doctors and patients using cutting-edge technologies.

Must Read: What Does A Primary Care Physician Do And Why Do You Need One?