Should You Ever Mix Medical Technology and Natural Remedies?

People have been using a variety of methods to treat illness and injuries since the dawn of time. As innovation has progressed, some people have turned to more modern methods, while others have gone in the completely opposite direction, looking for more earth-based remedies and treatments. Both types of treatments have their benefits and their drawbacks, allowing people to follow their beliefs when it comes to their health.

Recently, an emerging trend of combing these two medical practices has gained quite a bit of popularity. Known as integrative medicine, this practice combines natural medicine with non-invasive medical practices to create a holistic, safe, and beneficial treatment.

Why Integrative Medicine?

Traditionally, modern medicine focuses on the disease, the cause, and the treatment. The goal is to eradicate the problem as quickly as possible, and it is often very successful in this regard. Unfortunately, this can result in very little focus on the patient and their overall well-being. On the other hand, natural medicine practices focus on the well-being of a patient but lacks the ability to diagnose and properly treat less visible diseases and to react quickly to life-threatening problems. Integrative medicine combines the benefits of modern and natural medicine while eliminating some of the negative aspects.

Integrative medicine focuses on the overall well-being of a patient and encourages a supportive relationship between the patient and the practitioner. Instead of focusing on eradication of the problem alone, it also encourages the doctor to consider the impact of treatments on the patient’s mental and emotional well-being. It also champions less-invasive medical procedures whenever possible. Not only will this leave a patient in better condition once they are healed, but it will also give them a feeling of control over their circumstances. Many medical facilities have begun to use integrative medical concepts by using non-invasive tests to develop a treatment plan.

Is Integrative Medicine Dangerous?

Integrative medicine is no more dangerous than any other form of medical practice. In fact, in many ways, it can be much safer, when practiced by a licensed healthcare provider. Integrative medicine prevents doctors from using popular modern medical treatments that do more harm than good while encouraging them to look critically at the methodology behind natural practices.

On the other hand, when not properly supervised, combining modern and natural medicine can cause serious complications. Always check with your doctor or certified health provider before trying a natural remedy for anything, especially if you are already receiving treatment. You should also make sure that what you are receiving is actually an integrated treatment and not an alternative treatment. These are often confused, and while alternative treatments may be beneficial, it is just another name for natural medicine.

Integrative medicine is one of the best ways to address your health problems, but you need to make sure that you are using common sense. Don’t try to come up with treatments on your own. Instead, visit a licensed healthcare provider who can give you the guidance that you need to make the best choices for you and your overall well-being.