What is Integrative Medicine?

When Americans hear the term “alternative medicine,” some people mistakenly think of it as new and untried medicine. While it is true that alternative medicine is a field that is growing and developing (just like mainstream medicine), some alternative medicine practices have been used successfully for thousands of years.

At the University of Michigan Integrative Medicine Clinic, mainstream medical practices are combined with complementary and alternative care. Integrative medicine focuses on the whole person—including the mind, body, spirit and emotions. Here are some examples of how the U-M Integrative Medicine Clinic treats those four areas.

Mind: Practices such as relaxation, self-hypnosis and meditation benefit the mind-body connection.

Body: Suggestions always include nutritional recommendations and some form of movement, such as yoga or T’ai Chi.

Spirit: A daily spiritual practice that is right for the patient might include time spent alone in reflection, either in prayer or connecting with nature.

Emotions: Treatment of emotional health can include journaling as a way to keep track of emotions and moods and the effects they have on day-to-day life.

Providing a Choice

Why would someone choose integrative medicine? Choice is the key word. Many people who have already had experiences with mainstream medicine may have found those treatments to be too toxic, too expensive, too scary, or they didn’t get results they wanted. But investigating other options does not mean that patients are ruling out conventional treatments; integrative medicine helps them to better understand all of their options.

Monica Myklebust, M.D., director, U-M Integrative Medicine Clinical Services, likes to share a quote from a friend. “Physicians are built with two ears and one mouth to be used in that proportion.” Typically, a patient’s first visit with Dr. Myklebust lasts more than an hour, and most of that time is devoted to the patient sharing his or her story.

For thousands of years that therapeutic relationship (doctor and patient) has been an important part of medicine. Myklebust says, “That is the key to quality integrative medicine and quality medicine.”

For more information about Integrative Medicine visit: www.med.umich.edu/umim or call: (734) 998-6649.