Integrative Medicine For Children

"Many parents today are turning to or seeking information about Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for their children. Whether you initiate alternative therapies or simply need to respond when asked for information or advice, it's crucial to have the most recent, evidence-based information about alternative therapies and know how to safely and effectively integrate them with conventional treatment. This innovative and reliable reference is the ideal resource to have at hand." "This book includes a wide range of complementary and alternative therapies, focusing on those most often used with children: mind/body approaches, manual therapies, lifestyle approaches, alternative systems, energy medicine, and biological agents. Within these main categories, therapies such as acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, homeopathy, herbs, and magnets are covered." "Fifty-five common pediatric conditions are comprehensively discussed, with diagnostic and evidence-based treatment information, followed by authoritative information on the major CAM therapies available for treatment of the condition. Whenever possible, an integrative approach that combines conventional and alternative approaches is presented."--BOOK JACKET.

This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue "Pediatric Integrative Medicine: An Emerging Field of Pediatrics" that was published in Children

This Special Issue provides an overview of pediatric integrative medicine, an emerging field that blends conventional and evidence based complementary therapies with an emphasis on preventive health and wellbeing. It is one of the first publications to capture the field’s background as well as the implementation of pediatric integrative programs and therapies in both the United States and Europe. Written by expert contributors in their specialties, this work provides the reader a first-hand look at the innovative programs serving children with a wide array of conditions in both academic and community-based centers. Covering topics including program development and start-up, pediatric pain, headache, obesity management, stress, clinical hypnosis, creative arts therapies, integrative nursing, and provider self-care, the edition provides rich insight into the challenges and successes experienced by the authors and the creativity and passion driving the field with the goal of improving health care for children of all ages.

There is ample evidence that children and adolescents in large numbers are actively using integrative (complementary and alternative) therapies. Various studies now indicate that over 50% of pediatricians surveyed would refer a patient for integrative therapy, and they would welcome more natural therapies for children provided they were safe and effective. However, there has been little training for pediatricians in this area. Integrative Pediatrics addresses these issues and provides guidelines for pediatricians, parents, and general audiences in a balanced, evidence-based manner. In this volume in the Weil Integrative Medicine Library series, the authors describe a rational and evidence-based approach to the integrative therapy of childhood disorders and well-child care, integrating the principles of alternative and complementary therapies into the principles and practice of conventional pediatrics. The authors examine what works and what doesn't and offer practical guidelines for physicians to incorporate integrative medicine into their practice and how to advise patients and their parents on reasonable and effective therapies. The text also covers areas of controversy and identifies areas of uncertainty where future research is needed. Chapters also cite the best available evidence for both safety and efficacy of all therapies discussed. The series editor is Andrew Weil, MD, Professor and Director of the Program of Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizon. Dr. Weil's program was the first academic program in the US and he is the major name in integrative medicine in the US, and well-known around the world. His program's stated goal is "to combine the best ideas and practices of conventional and alternative medicine into cost effective treatments without embracing alternative practices uncritically."

Pediatric integrative medicine is a rapidly evolving field with great potential to improve the quality of preventive health in children and expand treatment options for children living with chronic disease. Many families actively use integrative therapies making familiarity with the field essential for clinicians working with pediatrics patients. This book provides a clear, evidence-based overview of the field. Foundations of pediatric health are covered with a goal of reviewing classic information and introducing emerging research in areas such as nutrition science, physical activity and mind-body therapies. Complementary medicine therapies are reviewed with an eye to expanding the conventionally trained clinician’s awareness about traditional healing approaches. Clinical applications explored include: Allergy Asthma Mental health IBS Bullying Obesity Environmental health ADHD Autism The book provides an excellent introduction to a relatively young field and will help the reader understand the scope of current evidence for integrative therapies in children and how to introduce integrative concepts into clinical practice. Integrative Pediatrics is a refreshing must-read for all students and health professionals focused on pediatrics, especially those new to the field or studying at graduate level.

If you’re one of the thousands of parents who feel frustrated and overwhelmed by the different kinds of medical advice you’re getting from doctors, homeopaths, and others, then you will find comfort—and answers—in this comprehensive guide to integrative medicine for children. Fully updated and revised to reflect the numerous recent advances in this field, this revised edition of Dr. Kemper’s The Holistic Pediatrician incorporates the best of both mainstream and alternative medicine to aid parents in dealing with the most common health problems confronting today’s youth. From ear infections to anxiety, fevers to fatigue, colds to pain, this invaluable guide provides factual advice to heal the whole child. Four new chapters reflect the changing needs of American families, and offers updated information on anxiety, autism, fatigue, and pain. Based on scientific evidence and written in commonsense language, The Holistic Pediatrician is the first place any parent should turn for authoritative and empowering advice on all aspects of their children’s health.