Integrative Medicine Should Be Primary Care
Why do we need primary care to be Integrative?
In the 20th century, we saw truly astounding technological advances in medical practice. The development of pharmaceuticals allowed us to survive the leading causes of death for all of human history: infections, traumatic injuries and acute health events such as inflammation flares and cardiovascular disease.
In the 21st century, our health needs have evolved. Now our major health issues are chronic illnesses, syndromes such as IBS, PMS and CFS and autoimmune diseases.
Most of us deal with issues such as fatigue, sleeplessness, pain, mood dysregulation, digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, stress, weight balance and complications associated with aging.
These modern health issues are not well addressed by a prescription alone. They are the result of the interaction of our inherited predispositions and their interaction with our environment throughout our life. Our health issues have multiple causes and are often exacerbated by modern lifestyles.
But medicine has somehow become solely synonymous with prescription drugs. Doctors are not taught how the body works, but instead to identify already established diseases and to medicate their symptoms. They are not equipped with either the time nor education to support us with any other health options besides a prescription.
What’s the solution?
Primary care medicine should be:
Integrative: all systems of the body are connected and should be considered together.
Holistic: the mind and body are an undivided, biological system that affect each other.
The therapeutic relationship: provide the time for the practitioner to support and empower you to take control of your health
Include the best of natural, alternative and conventional therapies as they are right for each person.
But what is integrative medicine?
What is it good for? And how do you know you are getting the best of all worlds?
What is Integrative medicine?
“InHealthRVA is leading the way in making Integrative and Functional medicine the standard for healthcare. We believe that an Integrative and holistic approach to health should be primary care medicine.
Healthcare should consider the ‘whole you,’ body, mind and spirit, from your annual physicals to your complex health care needs.”
InHealthRVA’s Integrative primary care medical model supports your body’s innate ability to heal and the therapeutic relationship to empower you to take control of your health.
We do this by conducting a detailed interview of your health history combined with relevant and complete lab work to understand your health trends.
We incorporate the best of all worlds. We listen to your personal preferences, provide natural treatments when possible, refer you to specialists and alternative medicine when beneficial and offer conventional approaches when needed.
Your body systems, symptoms, health history, diet, lifestyle, stressors and personal preferences all go into making your health picture, and therefore needs, unique.
“Integrative medicine considers how body systems are all connected, provides root-cause and natural treatments when possible, pharmaceuticals when necessary or preferred, and helps you make integrate medical decisions from various specialists.”
What’s the difference between InHealthRVA’s Integrative PCP clinic and concierge medicine?
Both concierge medicine and Integrative PCP are providing solutions to some of the pitfalls of modern medicine. Both offer more time with, and better access to, your practitioner. Both may offer extra lab panels, health coaches and nutrition guidance.
Concierge medicine is usually still just conventional medicine. It doesn’t provide a more investigative or holistic approach to your health nor are its practitioners necessarily educated in natural or alternative treatment options
Like concierge medicine, Integrative PCP at InHealthRVA gives you and your provider much more time and attention to work together.
We also offer science-based holistic, integrative and natural medicine, diet and lifestyle counseling. Your care includes alternative medicine recommendations when appropriate while still providing whatever pharmaceutical prescriptions and referrals to specialists as necessary.
What are the benefits of integrative primary care medicine?
Focuses on supporting your body’s natural ability to heal, doesn’t just manage symptoms.
Is evidence-based and grounded in scientific research.
Utilizes the best of natural medicine.
Supports diet and lifestyle modifications which are a major contributor to many health conditions.
Considers and addresses your mind-body connection.
Is personalized, takes into account both your unique health and your circumstances.
Incorporates or refers you to necessary other therapies, including acupuncture, physical therapy, counseling, chiropractic, Reiki, massage and more.
Honors the therapeutic relationship and your partnership in your wellness journey.
Includes whatever pharmaceuticals or surgical interventions you need as well. The best of all worlds!
What’s the difference between Integrative Primary medicine and Functional medicine
What they have in common: Integrative medicine and Functional medicine are similar in that they both consider the whole person and their interconnected body systems and the mind-body connection. They both incorporate multiple healing modalities and address nutrition and lifestyle contributions to your health.
How they are different: Functional medicine goes further in that it seeks to identify the root causes of health conditions by combining an understanding of your health history and utilizing advanced and more thorough lab analysis. This can include specialized Functional medicine labs such as gut microbiome testing, organic acids and nutrient tests, more complex and complete hormone analysis and advanced analysis of blood chemistries to understand health patterns (not just disease markers).
Do I need Integrative PCP or Functional medicine?
That depends on both your health needs and wishes.
Functional medicine is for:
People who either have one or more health conditions that they want to get to the root causes of, and/or want better or alternative management for health conditions other than just prescriptions.
It is also for people who don’t have any health issues and want to take a more complete look into their health in order to optimize wellness and prevent health conditions before they may occur.
Integrative primary care is for:
People who want an overall integrative and holistic approach to their health
They either don’t need or want to do a more in-depth health analysis currently
Or completed the Functional medicine deeper dive and want holistic continuation of their care.
Everyone. Integrative, holistic primary care medicine should be basic primary care medical approach to health