Integrative Medicine
With the advancements in medicine and an aging population, there is a need for keeping people well independent and robust to optimize the quality of life in people reaching their 80s and 90s. Furthermore, for healthcare to thrive and maintain its sustainability, we need to compress the period of morbidity in our aging patients, a concept put out by a renowned integrative health care physician Dr. Andrew Weil.
Immunizations and recommended preventative screenings and smoking cessation are basic and essential, however lifestyle modification with a focus on nutrition and sleep are also integral.
Numerous people who have symptoms and syndromes that present in a clinical setting may not always be reflective of a medical condition or disorder but may signify that their health is going in the wrong direction and should function as a warning sign. Malaise, fatigue loss of energy, forgetfulness (or brain fog) to name some can be related to hormonal changes and imbalances.
What is the role of Integrative Medicine?
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) has recognized that patients are turning to Integrative Medicine in increasing numbers as an alternative to Conventional Medicine to address complex medical problems.
Integrative and functional Medicine therapies are meant to go with not to replace, conventional or mainstream medical care.
Definition by the CPSO
The CPSO defines complementary medicine as “a group of diverse medical practices and products that are not generally considered part of medicine.”
As the CPSO has recognized, the boundaries between integrative – Functional medicine and Conventional Medicine are not absolute. However, in some instances, Integrative Medicine has been incorporated into more conventional therapies.