When my husband and I went through his battle with bladder cancer, we were exposed to both conventional and alternative approaches to treatment. Because traditional protocls offered little hope, we immersed ourselves in what’s called integrative medicine. But what exactly does that mean and how does it work?
Integrative Medicine
Just as its name implies, integrative medicine combines the best of western medical practices with holistic, alternative medicine. For example, in our case, my husband submitted to biopsies and surgery to remove a tumor. Both of these are protocols of conventional medicine. But, he also followed a regime of alternative treatments that included the therapeutic use of nutrition and supplementation, Oxygen Therapy, Intravenous Vitamin C Therapy, Pulsated Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF), Class-IV Laser Therapy, Baccilus Calmette Guerin (BCG), detoxification therapies, and other immune boosting treatments. These were all non invasive, non toxic and painless. There were no drugs involved and they did not get him sick to get him better.
The combination of these conventional and alternative approaches (explained fully in my book in an easy relatable style www.healedhealthyandwhole.com ) helped reversed the imbalances in his body, created conditions that proved hostile to the cancer and ultimately led to his complete healing, despite the dire predictions of our western medical teams.
More Compassion
Integrative therapy tends to be more compassionate and looks at the whole person to determine the possible causes of the disease. Pracitioners will explore a person’s lifestyle, stress levels, diet, hydration, exercise habits, sleep patterns, state of mind, relational wellness, and spiritual approaches to life. Positive modifications to these areas will be recommended on a case-by-case basis to promote conditions that encourage healing, and of course, prevent disease, as well.
Education and Healing
Empowering the individual to take control of his/her health and enjoy a quality life and long term wellness is the ultimate goal of integrative medicine. As a result, education tends to be a vital component so patients can understand the objective behind each approach and cooperate fully with the protocols. Pharmaceutical drugs are only used in extreme cases and when absolutely necessary.
Though western medicine is more prevalent and better known, we are so grateful to have discovered the world of integrative healing. Not only did it contribute to saving my husband’s life, it has also changed both our lifestyles so we can enjoy long-term health and wellness. Greek physician Hippocrates (460 BC), known as the founder of medicine, summed up the integrative approach this way: “Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease.” For more information, we invite you to visit us at www.healedhealthyandwhole.com.
(Please note: Do not use the information provided in this or other Healed, Healthy and Whole articles for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing yourself medication or other treatment. The articles in this blog/newsletter should never be used as a substitute for speaking with your physician or health care professional about a medical problem you may be experiencing.)
