An integrative approach to health and wellness emphasizes a holistic, relationship-centered focus on the patient, the practitioner and the healing environment. In contrast to a specialized treatment model often seen in traditional medical clinics where the focus is on one organ system or one cluster of symptoms, integrative medicine is a therapeutic approach that focuses on the whole individual—often including mental, emotional, functional, spiritual, psychosocial aspects of one’s current physical and mental health issues. It also aims for well-coordinated care between different providers that offer evidence-based “complementary health” approaches, such as acupuncture, massage, tai chi, meditation, and yoga.
Mind-Body practices are a group of practice-based therapies that emphasize the use of one’s mental capacity in conjunction with the body to assist in promoting health and wellness and in the process of healing
RESOURCES
Osher Collaborative for Integrative Medicine
The Osher Collaborative for Integrative Medicine comprises an international group of seven academic Centers funded by The Bernard Osher Foundation to study, teach, and practice integrative medicine. The Osher Collaborative amplifies the collective impact of the seven Osher Centers on health and well-being for all. FIND OUT MORE
NCCIH
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) is the Federal Government’s lead agency for scientific research on the diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine. NCCIH was formerly known as the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. FIND OUT MORE
Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine and Health
The Mission of ACIMH is to advance integrative medicine and health through academic institutions and health systems. FIND OUT MORE
Bravenet Consortium
Designed to reveal what types of patients seek services at integrative medicine clinics and what problems these patients wish to solve, BraveNet’s first study, which involved approximately 4000 patients, was completed in 2008. The manuscript — Patients Seek Integrative Medicine for Preventive Approach to Optimize Health — was published in the November/December 2012 issue of EXPLORE: The Journal of Science and Healing. FIND OUT MORE