Integrative medicine services have become very popular in the United States, with more than 70 percent of Americans using them in some form. The latest research shows that how we live, what we think, and how we feel affect our health. For example, hostility, depression and loneliness contribute to heart disease. Stress can exacerbate infections, fibromyalgia and asthma. High-fat diets can lead to coronary disease and cancer. Obesity is a major factor in the development of type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cancer. You may benefit from integrative medicine if you suffer from a chronic illness and wish to reduce the severity or frequency of disease episodes and enjoy a better quality of life.

While traditional medicine can help diminish the consequences of unhealthy lifestyles, integrative medicine can reverse those consequences, prevent illness and reduce symptoms, resulting in:

• Decreased pain
• Improved sleep
• Enhanced immune function and fewer infections
• Lowered blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels
• Improved bowel function
• Less anxiety and depression related to illness
• Fewer complications after surgery
• Resolution of post traumatic stress disorder

Alternative medicine is a system of health care which fosters a cooperative relationship among all those involved, leading towards optimal attainment of the physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual aspects of health. It emphasizes the need to look at the whole person, including analysis of physical, nutritional, environmental, emotional, social, and spiritual values. It encompasses all stated modalities of diagnosis and treatment including drugs and surgery if no safe alternative exists. Alternative medicine focuses on education and responsibility for personal efforts to achieve balance and well-being. Ways in which alternative medicine can be attained is to practice any number of the following: Psychotherapy, Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Hypnotherapy, Integrative Medicine, Massage Therapy, Meditation, Nutrition Counseling, Reiki, Yoga. Conditions that Integrative medicine can be used to for to help patients manage symptoms include:

• Heart disease
• Back pain
• Cancer
• Headache/migraine
• Diabetes
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Multiple sclerosis
• Obesity
• Stress
• Shingles
• Chronic fatigue
• Post traumatic stress disorder

When one part of the body or mind is not working properly, it is believed to affect the whole person. Alternative approaches focus on the whole person rather than just on the illness or part of the body that is not healthy. However, many health professionals promote healthy lifestyle habits such as exercising, eating a nutritious diet, not smoking, and managing stress as important in maintaining good health. Alternative methods are becoming more common in mainstream care and may be used as complementary therapy or preventive care.