There was a time when Western medicine was purely based on scientific evidence. Today, a bigger medical community has begun to recognize the value of alternative medicine. The combination of both is known as integrative medicine, and there are many benefits that await those who practice it.
First of all, integrative medicine creates real integrative doctor-patient relationships, instead of just doctors prescribing drugs and tests and patients following instructions. This approach allows the patient to be involved himself in the process of healing, encouraging him to adopt healthier habits that will influence his future. Integrative medicine also places huge importance of gradual improvements. That is, allowing the body and mind to improve one step at a time, instead of overwhelming them. This enables the person to adjust slowly and gives physicians the chance to take note of the effectiveness of the provided care, applying changes as necessary.
Since integrative medicine takes an overall approach based on the "big picture," patients will be able to spend more time with their doctors and understand their bodies fully. At this time when patient visits normally take less than 20 minutes, personalized attention from a medical practitioner can make a lot of difference. Of course, patients who spend more time with their doctors tend to be more satisfied with their hormone treatment and may actually heal faster.
Evidently, medical practitioners that use the integrative approach acknowledge the fact that people heal better when not only their symptoms are addressed, but their overall state of health and wellness. Instead of simply treating a particular problem, integrative medicine find the origin, treats the problem, and introduces a healthier lifestyle so that the same problem can be avoided in the future. In the long term, this technique is always more effective because it doesn't only treat an illness; it also helps a patient improve overall quality of life.
In terms of quality of life, integrative medicine becomes particularly important for people who are dealing with chronic diseases and conditions, such as chronic pain whose underlying cause could not be determined by traditional medicine. The integrative technique tries to restore the overall balance within the body, which often results in the elimination of symptoms and overall improvement of the patient's health.
In any case, remember that the true objective of integrative medicine is not to eradicate symptoms, but rather to stop the cause. By integrating various treatments, patients will enjoy not only quicker, but also longer-lasting results.