Integrative Medicine

Living in China, we have the opportunity to learn about and benefit from the traditional Chinese healing arts of acupuncture, herbology, fengshui, and tui na (massage). These therapies, often called alternative or complementary, are becoming increasingly popular and “ordinary” in the West.

When sick, we are often faced with the choice of going to a conventional practitioner or an alternative/complementary practitioner. This is where integrative medicine comes in. Integrative medicine is an approach to patient care that uses both conventional and alternative therapies that are safe and effective.

Integrative medicine is simply the integration of the best evidence-based medicine with traditional Chinese medicine or other healing arts. It is the best of both worlds. One is not a substitute for the other, but rather they are complementary to each other.

Integrative medicine practitioners promote health, focus on prevention, and encourage patients and their families to be part of the healing process. It allows doctors to provide more patient-centered care, which helps patients to receive the best that each system has to offer.

Characteristics of integrative medicine:

• Relationship-centered care
• Integration of conventional and complementary methods for treatment and prevention
• Removal of barriers that activate the body’s innate healing response
• Use of natural, less invasive interventions before costly, invasive ones where possible
• Engaging mind, body, spirit and community to facilitate healing
• Recognition that healing is always possible even when curing is not

Frequently Asked Questions about Integrative Medicine

Are all complementary therapies safe?

There are side effects from all therapies including natural ones. All therapies should be discussed in detail with your practitioner.

Do complementary therapies work?

More research is needed for many of these therapies, but there is increasing evidence supporting the effectiveness of many therapies in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Are there physicians who practice integrative medicine?

Yes. Physicians at all United Family Hospitals facilities can offer you complementary therapies and advice as part of their consultation. While our physicians still recommend conventional therapies such as vaccines, medications and surgery, you can also be referred to complementary therapy physicians including Traditional Chinese Medicine consultants who practice at United Family Hospitals.