What is Integrative Medicine?
Integrative Medicine combines conventional Western medicine with alternative or complementary treatments such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage therapy, biofeedback, yoga, and stress reduction techniques. Patients typically get little assistance with the dietary and the other lifestyle changes that are needed to provide relief from and, in some cases, to actually reverse the effects of chronic diseases. Integrative medicine addresses these needs.
Integrative medicine focuses on the following:
- Holistic healthcare (treating the body, mind, and spirit)
- Preventive healthcare (identifying and treating risk factors before disease appears)
- Providing tools beyond pharmaceuticals to help people manage their health
Prevention has become even more important in the face of today’s health issues. Integrative medicine can help prevent or reverse heart disease, support lifestyle changes, reduce blood pressure and support weight loss--all factors that can lead to a more satisfying quality of life.
Research increasingly shows that our lifestyles, what we think and how we feel effect our health. For example, hostility, depression, and loneliness have been found to contribute to heart disease. Stress can exacerbate infections, fibromyalgia, and asthma.
Integrative medicine benefits include:
- Supporting the body’s natural ability to heal itself
- Reducing stress and promoting a state of relaxation
- Decreasing pain
- Reducing sleep problems
- Preventing many chronic diseases
- Enhancing immune system function
- Decreasing infections
- Lowering blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels
- Improving bowel function
- Lessening anxiety or depression related to being ill
Complete the Request Form (PDF) for a special event in your area.
Give the Gift of Health and Wellness
Purchase a gift card for any services offered by the Center for Integrative Medicine (Acupuncture, Massage, etc...). Our services can be found throughout the Cleveland Clinic system (the family health centers at Westlake, Beachwood, Strongsville, etc...).
For more information or to purchase a gift certificate, please call 216.986.HEAL (4325).
