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| Definition |
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The terms complementary and alternative medicine describe a range of healing systems, many with centuries of accumulated practitioner knowledge and experience. They are often seen as an alternative to orthodox medicine and include therapies such as naturopathy, herbal medicine, homoeopathic medicine, chiropractic and osteopathy, traditional chinese medicine and acupuncture, energetic therapies, and Natural Hormone Replacement. Conventional medicine and alternative medicine can no longer be seen as mutually exclusive, opposing approaches to health. Integrative medicine is an approach to healthcare that incorporates these therapies into the practice of modern medicine. |
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| How It Works |
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Integrative medicine practice may vary between individual practitioners, however the common approach involves the following aims:
- Treat the whole person—physical, emotional, social, and spiritual. Illness is often considered the result of the loss of balance between these personal aspects, and therapy is directed at restoring balance and integration, whether it be via optimising biochemistry through nutrient therapy or improving the quality of sleep with herbal remedies and relaxation techniques.
- Prevent illness and aim for optimal health – and involve the patient in this aim.
- Individualise treatment regimes - in response to the unique totality of the individual rather than to a disease entity.
- Treat the causes of illness - rather than suppress symptoms – by supporting the body’s natural healing processes.
- Above all, cause no harm.
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| Conditions |
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Because of the holistic nature of treatment, all individual problems may be treated with Integrative Medicine. Chronic conditions that have not responded to conventional medicine may particularly benefit from the Integrative Medicine approach. These include arthritis, asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, cancer support, environmental illness including multiple chemical sensitivity and food allergies, infertility and menopause. |
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| Expect |
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In the initial visit, which typically lasts up to an hour, a thorough history is taken. This includes an exploration of diet, lifestyle, stress, and environmental factors. Physical examination, clinical and laboratory diagnostic tests may be performed or recommended. A treatment plan usually includes lifestyle modifications (e.g., sleep, exercise and relaxation practices), dietary recommendations, herbal remedies, nutritional supplements, and/or chelation therapy and/or Natural Hormone Replacement. |
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| Education |
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All Integrative Medicine practitioners have full medical degrees with post-graduate education in integrative medicine. They may be accredited by ACNEM, the Australiasian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, and/or AIMA, the Australian Integrative Medicine Association. |
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| Cost |
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Ask YourHealth Reception for exact costs when booking. |
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| Cover |
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Integrative Medicine consultations are covered under Medicare since the practitioner is also a medical doctor, however more than the Medicare scheduled fee is usually charged. Please ask YourHealth reception for more details when booking. |
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