If you have been diagnosed with a chronic disease, you may have heard about integrative medicine. This type of medicine offers a variety of treatment options that are taken from different types of practices.

Are you considering integrative medicine to finally get some answers? Here's what you should know about this option.

What Does Integrative Medicine Include?

One of the first things you need to know is that integrative medicine combines several forms of medicine. One form is conventional medicine, which encompasses medication, medical procedures, and modifications to diet and lifestyle.

Next, integrative medicine uses components of non-Western therapy. For example, your provider might recommend meditation or even chiropractic care. Your treatment plan will be customized to fit your body's specific needs.

Why Is Integrative Medicine Successful?

For many people with chronic pain, integrative medicine is successful because it addresses several components of treatment. For many people with chronic pain, it feels as if there are no answers. Integrative medicine may provide more answers than sticking to just one type of treatment.

Treatment with integrative medicine is also successful because it treats the whole person. It will not treat you as a set of symptoms but rather as an entire person.

When Is Integrative Medicine Used?

Integrative medicine is used to treat many different conditions, including chronic health issues. They may include arthritis, fibromyalgia, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, joint pain, multiple sclerosis, neck pain, back, and sciatica.

What Will Integrative Treatment Look Like?

So, what kind of therapy might you find as part of your treatment plan? Every treatment plan is catered to the patient and their specific needs and symptoms.

In some cases, a special diet will be recommended. Your doctor may recommend a plant-based, paleo, or Mediterranean diet, for instance. You might also take probiotics, supplements, and vitamins.

Some practitioners use yoga, tai chi, and meditation to quiet the mind and bring the mind and body together in communion. You will build flexibility and range of motion as well.

You may undergo acupuncture, chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, and other physical treatments. Your treatment plan may be more complex based on your symptoms.

Are You Interested in Integrative Medicine?

Are you interested in trying integrative medicine for yourself? A provider can help you get treatment for chronic pain and other types of medical issues you might be dealing with. Make an appointment with an integrative medicine provider to learn more about your treatment options. 

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