Integrating Integrative Health 1

Integrating Integrative Health

Lindy Kelley

Arizona State University

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Abstract

This argumentative essay discusses the problems directly associated with the current United

States healthcare system. This paper specifically proposes a solution to the problems faced

everyday, integrative health, and provides the benefits as well as possible counterarguments. The

ultimate goal is to argue why integrative health is advantageous to our current healthcare system.

Keywords: healthcare, costs, illness, integrative health, healing, lower rates,

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Integrating Integrative Health

As the American Healthcare delivery system begins to dive deeper into costs, deviates

away from patient care to disease management, and expands the already escalating amount of

chronic disease in America, we must turn towards a solution that will patch up the holes in our

current healthcare system. The further implementation of integrative health into our current

conventional system will not only accurately and efficiently lower annual healthcare costs, but

will also restore the current focus of medicine back to health and healing, while also returning

the practice to a disease prevention system from the current disease management system, and

improve primary care for patients suffering from chronic illness.

Integrative health can be defined as the intelligent combination of conventional and

alternative medicine. Integrative medicine is healing-oriented medicine that takes account of the

whole person (body, mind, and spirit), including all aspects of lifestyle. It emphasizes the

therapeutic relationship [between patient and physician] and makes use of all appropriate

therapies, both conventional and alternative (Weil 2010). If further implemented into our

healthcare system, this combination of conventional and alternative medicine will only become

more advantageous to those seeking primary care.

Having witnessed the desperation that comes with chronic illness with multiple loved

ones in my life, I have seen the benefits first hand, that come with the application of integrative

health in a patients life in accordance with conventional medicine. It gives those suffering with

chronic illness the choice of what to do next. Now studying nursing with a minor in Integrative

health, I am continuously becoming enlightened on the benefits of integrative health and why

it should be implemented further into our current healthcare system. This is why I personally feel

the need to correct all current health care providers misconceptions regarding this topic.
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The use of synthetic drugs and surgery has always been known as "medicine" until recent

decades where it has been deemed "conventional medicine". Conventional medicine, the

standard care practiced by doctors, nurses, and practitioners, has been in use for an increasingly

long duration of time. Because of this, conventional medicine has a multitude of scientific

studies and evidence to back up its efficacy. I agree with the statement conventional medicine is

science-based medicine. It is utilized primarily on the basis that it works. Complementary and

Alternative medicine (CAM) has a different stigma surrounding it. It doesnt have the scientific

backing equal to that of conventional medicine. As expressed in the US National Library of

medicine, "Complementary medicine is used as a cloak for alternative medicine; it does not

make the patient feel better; it allows placebos in through the back door; it may interact with

effective drug therapy; it is a waste of precious resources; and it subverts science and is an insult

to intelligence" (Baum 2007). However, due to the one sided argument this statement offers, I

can assuredly say, that this is close- minded and inaccurate for reasons that I will elaborate.

I would like to accurately distinguish that integrative health is not, contrary to popular

belief, the practice of Complementary or Alternative medicine (CAM). Integrative health is a

well-calculated and balanced combination of conventional and unconventional medicine.

Integrative health simply supplements the conventional procedures necessary and prevalent in

primary patient care. It gives the patient a chance to seek out other therapies that when used in

concession with conventional medicine, could provide a surplus of health benefits. I have to

assume that many primary care workers do not understand the difference between integrative

health and complementary medicine. This is one of the biggest obstacles surrounding the delay

of the further implementation of integrative health.

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The science behind the benefits of integrative health exists. The problem is, it is in places

where conventional doctors do not look (Weil, 2010). Furthermore, I would like to argue that

there is often not a very adequate evidence base for some conventional medicine procedures.

Many procedures practiced every day not only lack adequate scientific evidence to back it up,

but also put the patient at risk, as well as increase costs and the likelihood of the patients return.

This is even more dangerous since those methods are practiced with more frequency.

One fundamental idea behind integrative health is the greater potential for a procedure to

cause harm, the stricter the standards it should be held to for efficacy. Integrative health offers an

array of low risk treatments, like breathing techniques, which currently in this stage of

development, have low efficacy rates, but beneficially, low risk factors. I believe that because of

this, patients are encouraged to practice these therapies with low risk while searching for

evidence on their own to support the treatments. Where as, I would like to add, many procedures

common to conventional medicine offer very high risk factors, which is in no way beneficial to

the primary care-giver or patient.

One of the biggest obstacles we are currently battling is the ever-increasing annual

healthcare cost. Health care costs in the United States exceed 14 percent of the gross domestic

product, far more than in any other nation. Overall costs were $838 billion in 1992, or over

$3,000 per person (Fries, 93). Integrative health implementation is a proposition for this

problem, which has previously been neglected. Integrative health can reduce the need and

demand for medical services. Preventable illness makes up 70 percent of annual healthcare costs

(Fries, 93). Many integrative therapies are self-managed and require no pharmaceutical demand.

Such therapies include, but are not limited to: aromatherapy, acupuncture, tai chi, and

meditation. By implementing therapies consistent to the practices of integrative health, not only
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can we efficiently lower healthcare costs, but also bring better health by offering therapies for

treatment of their mind body and spirit. Such therapies connect all three of these factors, by

creating mindfulness and self-awareness, in order to create holistic health beneficial to the

patient.

Currently, our nations healthcare systems primary focus is disease management, not

disease prevention. This is problematic because instead of treating the root of the problem, we

are treating the symptoms. This does not solve anything, and ensures the patients return for

further unnecessary medical testing and treatment. Not only does this skyrocket healthcare cost,

through unnecessary pharmaceuticals, surgeries and rehabilitations, but it also takes the focus

away from the patient and onto the patients symptoms. Through the further implementation of

integrative health, I can accurately argue that the patient will become the focus of modern day

medicine. And it is through this, that we can begin to prevent disease instead of continuously

managing the symptoms.

When conventional medicine and standard care do not seem to be enough for a patient

suffering from a chronic illness, it is not uncommon for that patient to seek out alternative

therapies in desperation to find something to alleviate pain, discomfort, or specific symptoms. I

have personally witnessed this with some of my own loved ones who suffered from differing

chronic illnesses. Patients who are unhappy with primary care will turn to alternative therapies

consistent with the practices of integrative health (Siahpush, 1998). Standard medical care often

does not meet the needs of patients suffering from chronic illness. The use of alternative

therapies in concession with conventional medicine is common and more likely to be used by

patients with chronic illness (Sayduh, 2006). Integrative health practices are prevalent and
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associated with patients with the chronic disease triad (arthritis, musculoskeletal disorders,

stroke) (Lee, 2004).

Integrative medicine is a philosophy that neither rejects, nor accepts alternative therapies

uncritically. In order to accurately implement integrative health into our current healthcare

system, I assert that we must continue to education standard care providers on the efficacy and

benefits of integrative medicine, as well as correct any misconceptions regarding the distinctions

between Complementary and Alternative medicine (CAM) and Integrative medicine. I must

reiterate that since our current healthcare system is forever evolving and seeking ways to become

better at providing standard patient and primary care integrative health must be practiced, in

order to lower healthcare costs, restore health and healing onto the patient, return the current

healthcare system to that of disease-prevention, and improve primary care for all patients,

including those with chronic illness. It is imperative for all to remember, good medicine is based

on good science, it is inquiry-driven and open to new paradigms.

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References

Baum, M. (2007). The dangers of complementary therapy. Retrieved November 08, 2017, from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2230518/

Figure 2f from: Irimia R, Gottschling M (2016) Taxonomic revision of Rochefortia Sw.

(Ehretiaceae, Boraginales). Biodiversity Data Journal 4: e7720.
https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.4.e7720. (n.d.). doi:10.3897/bdj.4.e7720.figure2f

Fries, J. F., Koop, C. E., Beadle, C. E., Cooper, P. P., England, M. J., Greaves, R. F., . . . Wright,
D. (1993). Reducing Health Care Costs by Reducing the Need and Demand for Medical
Services. New England Journal of Medicine, 329(5), 321-325.
doi:10.1056/nejm199307293290506

Sharon H. Saydah and Mark S. Eberhardt. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary
Medicine. October 2006, 12(8): 805-812. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2006.12.805

Siahpush, M. (1998). Postmodern values, dissatisfaction with conventional medicine and

popularity of alternative therapies. Journal of Sociology, 34(1), 58-70.
doi:10.1177/144078339803400106

Video: The Advantages of Integrative Medicine | Dr. Weil. (2017, May 31). Retrieved November
14, 2017, from https://www.drweil.com/videos-features/videos/the-advantages-of-integrative-
medicine/
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