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Integrative Medicine:


The Healthcare of the Future By Stephen Donnelly, DO


health care. The coming decades promise even greater changes. Science and technology shed insight into our understanding of disease and provide specialized treatments. Technological breakthroughs, such as the development of immunizations and the discovery of antibiotics, pasteurization, sterilization, and antiseptic techniques represent just a few examples. Over the course of the 20th century, these amazing advances contributed to a gain in life expectancy of over 30 years. With this increased longevity however, came a major shift in the causes of death, from infectious (TB, pneumonia, infl uenza, cholera, etc.), to the likes of cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Medical research has shifted focus toward more chronic conditions. The focus of clini- cal practice has followed suit, leading to our current disease- oriented model of healthcare. In such a model, the meaning of “health” can be obscured.


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What exactly is health? In 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) offered the following defi nition:


“...a state of complete physical, social, and mental well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infi rmity.”


This defi nition implies that health is multidimensional and


impacted by many factors such as spiritual beliefs and practices, social relationships, peace, justice, the economy, income, the environment, policies, etc. Health is evolving and dynamic, changing with the varying circumstances of one’s life. It is also subjective. Each person’s experience of health can differ widely, even when all factors appear similar. The disease-oriented concept of health drives our cur- rent medical system. Medical advances have certainly saved and improved the lives of millions, but much of medicine has primarily focused on addressing the acute events of disease and injury. High-tech diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, and surgery have minimized the importance of prevention. The disease- driven approach has also led to a fragmented, highly specialized system. There are cardiologists for your heart, neurologists for your brain, nephrologists for your kidneys, and the list goes on. In the U.S. this has been further exacerbated by the economic structure of our health care system. Pharmaceutical companies thrive in the disease-oriented model. For-profi t health insurance companies often dictate medical practice, taking it out of the hands of the trained medical professionals. Care is often reactive and impersonal. This has led to a great dissatisfaction with much of our medical system. It is within this framework that Integra- tive Medicine has come into existence.


22 Essential Living Maine ~ May/June 2014


efore defi ning Integrative Medicine, an overview of the current health care system is in order. Over the last half century, we have seen dramatic changes in the delivery of


Integrative Medicine is a healing oriented medicine that


reaffi rms the importance of the relationship between practitio- ner and patient. This approach focuses on the whole person, recognizing that subtle interactions of mind, body, spirit, and community have a direct impact on vitality and well-being. It is evidence based and makes use of all appropriate therapeutic approaches, healthcare professionals, and disciplines (both con- ventional and alternative), to achieve optimal health and heal- ing. Integrative Medicine is NOT “alternative” medicine. This implies “in place of” conventional medicine. It is NOT “comple- mentary” medicine, which implies “alongside” conventional medicine. By weaving the best of these modalities with the best of conventional medicine, an Integrative Medicine practitioner creates a unique partnership between the patient, family, and primary & specialty care providers, to achieve optimal heath and healing. Care plans often include recommendations and guidance in the following areas:


• Conventional Medicine • Nutrition • Exercise


• Botanical Medicine • Vitamins/Supplements • Manual Medicine (Osteopathy, Massage, PT, Chiropractic, Refl exology)


• Whole Body Systems (Traditional Chinese Medicine -TCM/ Acupuncture, Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Homeopathy) • Spirituality • Mind-Body Medicine (Hypnosis, Biofeedback, Guided Imagery)


Integrative Medicine is a grass roots movement rising to


answer the call to improve our healthcare system and wellbe- ing of our population. Andrew Weil, MD, arguably the most respected proponent of this movement, established a training program through the University of Arizona in 2000. The program has achieved international recognition as the leading integra- tive medical education program in the world. The fellowship has graduated over 500 IM practitioners with several practicing right here in Maine. Integrative Medicine is the healthcare of the future, happening right now.


Dr. Donnelly practices integrative medicine in Portland. Informa- tion about his practice is available at www.theMCIM.com. See ad on page 19.


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