Ask Dr. Michael: Integrative Medicine

What is Integrative Medicine?

By Michael Kowalski, A.P., Dipl.Ac.
@ Acupuncture & Holistic Health Center
Jacksonville, FL

Interest is growing in Integrative Medicine because it is a patient-centered approach to healthcare and treats each patient as a whole person. As we better understand how lifestyle affects health, both practitioners and patients are looking beyond conventional medical treatments, while continuing to use the best of what conventional medicine has to offer. This integrative approach does not exclude any treatment with merit and is not an either/or healthcare choice.

Conventional, or mainstream, medicine is what has been traditionally practiced in the U.S., most often treating patients with medication and/or surgery. Non-conventional or complementary medicine is comprised of evidence-based therapies outside of mainstream medicine. Non-conventional medicine includes acupuncture, chiropractic, naturopathy, nutrition, homeopathy, herbal medicine, therapeutic massage, mind-body therapies, yoga, and other exercise activities. Integrative Medicine makes use of all therapeutic approaches, conventional and non-conventional, to ensure the optimal health of each patient.

A Holistic Approach to Healthcare

At the Acupuncture & Holistic Health Center in Jacksonville, we treat the whole person – body, mind and spirit. We understand that each of these aspects of our selves is interconnected, both in how disease arises and is healed. The power of the mind in healing the body is tremendous, but the power of the spirit in healing is even greater by far.

An Evidence-Based Approach

Integrative Medicine is at the cutting edge of healthcare. It is based on rigorous research and only utilizes therapies for which there is evidence that proves their effectiveness. More and more non-conventional approaches are undergoing the scrutiny of research, informing us how these therapies can be used effectively in health care.

Integrative Approaches We Offer At Acupuncture & Holistic Health Center

• Acupuncture
• Functional Medicine
• Diet & Nutrition
• Herbal Medicine
• Homeopathy
• Trigger point therapy
• Therapeutic Massage
• Exercise & Activity
• Stress Management
• Meditation
• Life Coaching

A Patient-Centered Approach

As Five Element Acupuncture Physicians at the Acupuncture & Holistic Health Center, we understand that there is a unique root cause to each patient’s individual health conditions and symptoms. Our practitioners create a unique and comprehensive approach to each patient’s treatment. We also work with our patients’ conventional physicians and non-conventional providers using a team approach to achieve optimal health and healing for each patient.