What Is Evidence-Based Integrative Health Care?

Integrative health care (IHC) approaches are an approach to care that has evolved in response to a variety of variables, including consumer preference for alternative therapies, the combined use of complementary and traditional treatments, chronic illness management issues, and a growing emphasis on disease prevention and health promotion.

Acne Treatments

Neuro-acne treatments for severe acne and other problems have always been around, but it was not until recently when researchers discovered a natural way to treat hormonal imbalances. This treatment is called bioidentical hormones. Biodistrictriole, a natural form of hormone therapy clears acne by blocking the action of androgens (male hormones that stimulate our sebaceous glands). Biotropin, one form of the bioidentical hormone, helps to balance our sex hormone levels. And estratropin regulates the thyroid.

Integrative Health Advisers

Beauty advisers will tell us that healthy skin is also essential to good health. However, the truth is that healthy skin can only be achieved through proper diet, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle, which includes proper nutrition, sleep, and sufficient rest. What many of us do not realize is that our hormones can affect the health of the skin, and the use of a complete integrated health approach may be able to address hormonal imbalances in addition to diet and exercise. The holistic practitioner who is knowledgeable about integrative medicine may be the person who can help you address the hormonal imbalance that has been plaguing your system.

Hormones

Hormones play a huge role in how clear we feel, how strong our bones and muscles are, how well we can tolerate colds and flu, how well we can heal, etc. Hormones affect us throughout our lives. For example, during puberty, the pituitary gland creates specific hormones to help us grow and mature. The human growth hormone, which is abbreviated as HGH, is responsible for maintaining our body's normal weight. However, when HGH levels become too low, it leads to a variety of symptoms like muscle weakness, loss of appetite, decreased energy level, skin aging and slowed mental function.

Human Growth Hormones

In addition, when HGH levels become too high, it can result in body changes including extreme fatigue, poor memory, erectile dysfunction, and heart palpitations. While a complete cure for HGH is yet to be discovered, fortunately, there are things you can do to maintain the proper balance of hormones. For example, an easy way to treat HGH deficiency is by taking supplemental vitamins and herbs such as vitamin D, calcium, zinc, chromium, herbal extracts, and probiotics. These substances all work together in the body to promote proper hormone regulation.

Vitamins And Herbs

Vitamins and herbs work in a way that helps the body regulate the production and release of hormones, which in turn, affects the appearance and health of our skin cells. For example, vitamin C, one of the most powerful vitamins known to man, is able to inhibit the growth of cells underneath the skin. This vitamin is also known to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, two substances necessary for healthy, youthful-looking skin. As another example, studies have shown that herb and mineral Epsom salt can increase skin cell proliferation. All of these substances can make a huge difference in people's overall health, even reducing skin aging.

Therapeutic Touch

Another important element of integrative health therapy is the use of massage therapy or therapeutic touch. Therapeutic touch, which involves kneading and soothing pressure applied to the skin, has been found to be highly effective at improving blood circulation, easing stress, and relaxing the body. A well-trained therapist can effectively incorporate these principles into your daily treatment routine. Massage therapists who practice integrative health treatment are skilled at identifying specific areas of tension and promoting healing through gentle touch. Other benefits of therapeutic touch include the promotion of relaxation and meditation, improved posture, improved awareness of body sensations, and the reduction of pain and stiffness.

Natural Healing

The practice of integrative health care takes into consideration a number of natural healing approaches, including naturopathy, acupressure, Reiki, and other alternative forms of medicine. However, the most popular modalities used by therapists practicing this approach are massage, touch, and other methods of bioenergetic healing. Bioenergetic medicine views the human body as a whole, believing that healing occurs when "streams" of energy are flowing throughout the body. These therapies combine bioenergetic techniques with an understanding of the underlying cause of disease, thus resulting in a more comprehensive form of treatment.

Integrative Medicine Pros And Cons

Pros

• Whole-person treatments - Traditional medicine views disease as a distinct entity from the person who carries it. The growing trend toward specialization in medicine has led to many treatment advances but also has distanced physicians from the “healthy” parts of their patients.

• Personal attention - Because of the emphasis on whole-body care, alternative medicine practitioners often offer patients a great deal of personal attention.

• Focus on prevention - Another draw to alternative medicine is its focus on prevention. Whereas traditional medicine tends to intervene once the disease is present, many types of alternative medicine encourage patients.

Cons

• Limited scientific research - In response to increased consumer demand, funding for research studies on alternative medicine is growing. But compared with traditional medical methods, the evidence is still limited, which has left many questions unanswered.

• Confusing marketing - Any dietary supplements and herbal remedies, both of which fall under the alternative medicine umbrella, are mislabeled as “natural.” 

• Potentially dangerous interactions - Even in cases when the product contains no artificial substances, supplements and herbs can still potentially interact with prescription and over-the-counter medication.

Conclusion

Treatment is not only a means of recovery but also a way to live a healthier life. People who have followed an integrative healthcare approach have been found to be more satisfied with their health and with the results of their treatments. Those who have used this type of healing approach have reported an overall sense of well-being, an increased sense of physical and mental well-being, and a greater sense of self-confidence. These individuals often see improved relationships and deeper bonds with those around them as a result of their treatment.