The Scientific Basis Of Integrative Health

Since the first suffering supplicant offered a prayer to his god or the first mother cradled an ailing child in her caring arms, we have witnessed how human health and healing go beyond any inventory of parts and infusion of chemicals. We humans are a complex melding of thought, emotion, spirit and energy and each of those components is as critical to our well-being as our physiological status. Even if we are just beginning to quantify and document these seemingly intangible aspect, to ignore them in the practice of medicine is neglect and an invitation to do harm. The Scientific Basis of Integrative Health has been extensively updated and expanded to provide a comprehensive guide to integrative medicine. Taking a balanced and objective approach, this leading text bridges the gap between Western science and Eastern philosophy. It provides doctors and other health practitioners with information on complementary and alternative approaches to health, that is authoritative, evidence based, and epidemiologically substantiated. Written for doctors and healthcare professionals by pioneering practitioners and updated with the newest research across and increasing range of possibilities, this third edition includes nine new chapters covering topics such as: Electrophotonic imaging; Neuroacupuncture; Naturopathic medicine; Integrative nutrition.

Since the first suffering supplicant offered a prayer to his god or the first mother cradled an ailing child in her caring arms, we have witnessed how human health and healing goes beyond any inventory of parts and infusion of chemicals. We humans are a complex melding of thought, emotion, spirit, and energy and each of those components is as critical to our well-being as our physiological status. Even if we are just beginning to quantify and document these seemingly intangible aspects, to ignore them in the practice of medicine is neglect and an invitation to do harm. Now in its second edition, The Scientific Basis of Integrative Medicine continues to provide doctors and other health practitioners with information on complementary and alternative approaches to health, that is authoritative, scientifically based, and epidemiologically substantiated. Written for doctors and healthcare professionals by pioneering practitioners and updated with the newest research across an increasing range of possibilities, the new edition of this bestselling work – Establishes the scientific basis for the mind–body connection and then documents the puissant interactions of the endocrine, immune, nervous, and stress systems that so profoundly influence our lives Examines that healing dimension of spirituality, which informs but transcends the five senses Investigates how hope, faith, and love aid healing Discusses how the emotional presence of a practitioner affects patient outcome Considers the incorporation of a unified theory that can account for the existence of health enhancing energy fields within — as well as outside — the human body Integral physiology serves as a bridge between Western medical knowledge and the equally valuable, but less well-recognized, Eastern systems of medicine. The authors refer to it as integrative because it combines important Western biological knowledge with forms of healing that incorporate the mental and emotional, and spiritual aspects that are essential to health, because those aspects are what make us essentially human.

The last century witnessed dramatic changes in the practice of health care, and coming decades promise advances that were not imaginable even in the relatively recent past. Science and technology continue to offer new insights into disease pathways and treatments, as well as mechanisms of protecting health and preventing disease. Genomics and proteomics are bringing personalized risk assessment, prevention, and treatment options within reach; health information technology is expediting the collection and analysis of large amounts of data that can lead to improved care; and many disciplines are contributing to a broadening understanding of the complex interplay among biology, environment, behavior, and socioeconomic factors that shape health and wellness. On February 25 - 27, 2009, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) convened the Summit on Integrative Medicine and the Health of the Public in Washington, DC. The summit brought together more than 600 scientists, academic leaders, policy experts, health practitioners, advocates, and other participants from many disciplines to examine the practice of integrative medicine, its scientific basis, and its potential for improving health. This publication summarizes the background, presentations, and discussions that occurred during the summit.

Interactions between the body and the mind/emotions are now a well-established fact of medical research in the field of psychoneuroimmunology. The Scientific Basis of Integrative Medicine lays out the scientific underpinnings for the mind–body connection, documenting the numerous interactions of the endocrine, immune, nervous, and stress systems that so profoundly impact human functioning. The authors propose a unified theory of human functioning, called integral physiology, which combines important Western biological knowledge with Eastern medical traditions of healing. Unique aspects of the text include the elucidation of the pineal as the master gland—the transducer of environmental information into neuronal and hormonal communication within the body. In addition, the authors assert that there must be a hormonal cascade for the relaxation response, paralleling the well-known hormonal elaboration of the stress response, and then provide a review of some of the hormones involved in this response. The Scientific Basis of Integrative Medicine is the first book to elaborate on the cutting-edge field of subtle energy medicine. The authors propose a theory of the physiology of spirituality—or in medical terms, a theory of how subtle energy impacts physical and mental/emotional functioning. Subtle energy medicine recognizes energy modalities that can beneficially affect the body, while acknowledging the importance of experiences traditionally called “intuitive” or “spiritual.” It broadens awareness of how our bodies are both hard wired and hormonally designed to permit interactions with subtle energy. This medical textbook has been written in a unique, conversational style that incorporates both technical and scientific information, and anecdotal stories.

Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Health: A Multicultural Perspective provides a critical analysis of non-allopathic healing practices, including their uses, limitations, and scientific basis. The evidence-based discussion explores complementary, alternative, and integrative health (CAIH) across various cultural and ethnic groups both in the U.S. and internationally, to give you a greater understanding of the different modalities—including a literature-backed examination of proven methods and questionable practices within a cross-cultural framework. Each chapter highlights the scientific analysis of the practices relevant to each group, and guides you toward independent analysis of the risks and benefits of the practices discussed. Emphasizing the student as a future health professional, this book includes case studies, examples, questions, and discussion problems that underscore the role of health educators in educating consumers about CAIH practices.

For most clinicians, the science and evidence for many integrative therapies is largely unknown or considered suspect. Most physicians don't have time to learn integrative approaches and aren't sure what to recommend or which approaches have merit or improved outcomes. Here, clinicians have easy access to the best practices in integrative medicine and expectations for outcomes

Fully updated and revised, the second edition of Integrative Nursing is a complete roadmap to integrative patient care, providing a guide to whole person/whole systems assessment and clinical interventions for individuals, families, and communities. Treatment strategies described in this version employ the full complement of evidence-informed methodologies in a tailored, person-centered approach to care. This text explores concepts, skills, and theoretical frameworks that can be used by healthcare leaders interested in creating and implementing an integrative model of care within institutions and systems, featuring exemplar nurse-led initiatives that have transformed healthcare systems. This volume covers the foundations of the field; the most effective ways to optimize wellbeing; principles of symptom management for many common disorders like sleep, anxiety, pain, and cognitive impairment; the application of integrative nursing techniques in a variety of clinical settings and among a diverse patient population; and integrative practices around the world and how it impacts planetary health. The academic rigor of the text is balanced by practical and relevant content that can be readily implemented into practice for both established professionals as well as students enrolled in undergraduate or graduate nursing programs. Integrative medicine is defined as healing-oriented medicine that takes account of the whole person (body, mind, and spirit) as well as all aspects of lifestyle; it emphasizes the therapeutic relationship and makes use of appropriate therapies, both conventional and alternative. Series editor Andrew Weil, MD, is Professor and Director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona. Dr. Weil's program was the first such academic program in the U.S., and its stated goal is "to combine the best ideas and practices of conventional and alternative medicine into cost effective treatments without embracing alternative practices uncritically."

A Concise Guide to Integrative and Complementary Medicine for Health Practitioners is a comprehensive textbook on the non-pharmacological treatments for common medical practice problems, with the support of current scientific evidence. Non-pharmacological approaches include advice for lifestyle and behavioural factors, mind-body medicine, stress management, dietary changes, exercise and sleep advice, nutritional and herbal medicine, acupuncture, complementary medicines and the role of sunshine that may impact on the treatment of the disease(s). Only proven therapies from current research are i