What does integrative medicine combine?

Integrative medicine uniquely combines conventional medical treatments with complementary therapies. This approach enhances patient care by integrating both Western medicine—typically practiced in hospitals and clinics—and alternative approaches that can include practices such as acupuncture, meditation, or herbal medicine. This combination is aimed at treating the whole person, not just the illness, emphasizing the importance of the patient's physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being.

This holistic approach recognizes that while conventional medicine effectively treats many conditions, complementary therapies can provide additional benefits, such as reducing stress, enhancing recovery, and improving the patient's overall quality of life. It creates a more personalized healthcare experience where various treatment modalities work together to support the patient's unique needs. Integrative medicine reflects a shift towards a more individualized approach, looking beyond just the symptoms and focusing on the broader context of health.