Integrative Medicine, Alternative Medicine, Natural Medicine, Holistic Medicine- many people are confused about the differences between these words but people are not confused about what they want from their doctor in concept.  Integrative Medicine combines the knowledge of Western medicine practiced with alternative and complementary types of healing usually based on Eastern medical sciences. 

I am an Integrative Board Certified Family Practice Physician who started my medical path like most other physicians in this country.  Since graduating from medical school and residency, I have cared for thousands of patients with the same issues that affect most of you.  Diabetes, weight issues, high blood pressure, allergies, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are just a few of the issues I help my patients with day in and day out. As integrative physicians, we are trained to dig deep to the most fundamental causes of the disease process.  Sometimes, we find there are reversible causes of the disease, usually lifestyle related.  Sometimes, we find the need to use conventional options like medication and surgery but work to decrease use of these whenever and wherever possible.

If a new patient comes to me with diabetes, I don’t focus on drug therapy alone.  I analyze how she eats, how she moves, how she manages her stress.  Why?  It’s because almost 95% of Type 2 diabetes is caused by poor lifestyle.  At our office, we have “cured” chronic diseases like diabetes many times by just addressing lifestyle.  This is called lifestyle medicine.  By integrating Western medicine education with other scientifically-based therapies, I am able to help people get more out of their bodies and live, not just longer, but healthier lives. 

On this blog, we will explore Integrative Medicine.  You will learn how to help your body work better and feel better.  You will understand the connections between your genes and your environment.  You will acquire the tools and the knowledge to make meaningful changes to your lifestyle.  I will talk about the basics at times- things like nutrition can always be understood more.  But sometimes, I will blog about something you likely had no idea about- whatever it is, it might just change your life.

Integrative Medicine is growing because people are demanding more from their doctors.  We will discuss, the challenges it faces, how you can help it become the standard of care, how you can help yourself and your doctor get you feeling better by looking at you whole-istically.  So begins our journey with Medicine to Move You.