What does it mean to practice ‘integrative medicine’?

Happiness Father and son on the bicycle outdoorHave you heard the term, “integrative medicine”? Do you know what it means, or what the benefits are to taking an integrative approach to medical care and treatment?

Simply put, integrative medicine is a medical care that puts the patient at the center of treatment. It’s an approach that tries to consider and address the full range of physical, social, emotional, environmental, and even spiritual reasons for illness. In short, integrative medicine tries to recognize that each individual is unique and is facing unique circumstances that may be impacting their health and wellness.

Here are some of the founding principles of integrative medicine:

  • The practitioner and patient should be partners in the process
  • The best medicine should seek to find natural solutions first, and provide the least invasive and harmful treatment
  • Healthcare providers should use ALL available healing sciences – including behavioral, nutrition-based, and other knowledge of wellness best practices – to promote the body’s own healing response when possible
  • All factors of health, such as emotional, spiritual, and environmental, should be considered to take a whole-body, or holistic approach

Here, at Proactive Wellness Centers, we believe that promoting the health of the body takes a complete approach to lifestyle, nutrition, addressing physical activity levels and sleep quality, and looking for any allergies or intolerances.

We know that it makes no difference if you treat the symptoms, if you allow ongoing problems like stress, lack of rest, or poor eating habits to cause continued issues overall.

We feel that it’s important to address issues that are often overlooked, such as environmental stressors such as mold, allergies, intolerances. We think it’s important to promote health by providing good information for healthy living, such as how to eat, sleep, and manage wellness through knowledge and self-care.

We know that sometimes it takes management of issues that traditional medicine overlooks, such as inflammation, to improve health. We use therapies that are grounded in science, but seek to break ground to get results, such as use of advanced peptide therapies.

If you’re ready to try a holistic, integrative approach to health please don’t hesitate to reach reach out to us. Visit us online to learn more and feel free to reach out with any questions.

How to know when you have a chronic illness

????????????????????????????????What does it mean to have a chronic illness? You may have heard that term used, but not know fully what it meant. Today, we’ll talk about some of the symptoms and signs of chronic illness, and discuss when to consult a health care provider to find whole-body and whole-life wellness solutions.

Generally speaking, any disease that is a long-term condition can be categorized as a chronic illness. Heart disease, diabetes, and cancer all qualify as a chronic illness. But chronic illnesses may also be categorized by a cluster of ongoing symptoms of poor health that are unexplained, or seem to go away temporarily and then recur repeatedly.

For example, all of the following can be categorized as chronic illness conditions:

  • Ongoing, unexplained fatigue;
  • Muscle soreness unrelated to activity levels
  • Joint paint;
  • Skin disorders;
  • Mental issues, such as fogginess or memory problems;
  • Symptoms of illness that last for more than a year; and
  • Unresolved health issues that don’t seem to respond to treatment.

What causes chronic illness? The causes can be varied. It may have to do with underlying allergies, infection, lifestyle issues, or other problems. A qualified healthcare provider can help you find the cause and solutions.

So, what can you do if you suspect that you may have a chronic health issue? We recommend that you see a holistic health provider. It is important to treat the whole body as an interconnected system, rather than simply seeking to solve issues that crop up.

Promoting the health of the body takes a complete approach to lifestyle, nutrition, addressing physical activity levels and sleep quality, and looking for any allergies or intolerances. It makes no difference if you treat the symptoms, if you allow ongoing problems like stress, lack of rest, or poor eating habits to cause continued issues overall.

What can you do? We recommend that, if you are concerned about your symptoms, that you visit a doctor and holistic wellness provider that can test you for issues and help you to find appropriate treatment.

If that sounds like the case for you or someone you love, please reach out to us. Visit us online to learn more and feel free to reach out with any questions. We offer holistic wellness solutions.

What is normal during the aging process? You don’t have to feel sick and tired

Elderly woman running with her golder retrieverDo you have concerns about aging? Many people do. But the aging process doesn’t have to be the end of vitality, feeling good, or enjoying good health. In fact, it’s NOT normal to feel sick and tired as we age – despite what popular culture would tell you. An aging adult doesn’t ever have to be “over the hill.”

In fact, aging is just another stage of life. Our bodies change to adapt. In fact, there may even be some advantages. So, what symptoms are often attributed to aging that aren’t part of the normal, healthy aging process? Read on for a list. None of the symptoms below are necessarily caused by aging. Instead, they may be symptoms of underlying health issues.

Fatigue – Tired all of the time? That’s not normal, even when you’re older. Fatigue is a sign of illness. See a doctor, and try examining your lifestyle to see if the fatigue is due to lack of sleep, exercise, chronic stress, poor nutrition, or infection.

Weight gain – A lot of us assume that weight gain is a part of aging. But, it’s not! You might be losing muscle mass, but only if you’re inactive. You can maintain a healthy weight and metabolism with exercise, and good nutrition.

Pain – You don’t have to accept pain as part of the aging process. Achy joints can often be improved with physical activity and therapies, for example. If you’re in pain, see an integrative medicine practitioner.

Memory issues – Did you know that poor memory can be caused by inflammation? We can help you find solutions to fogginess.

Illness – Getting sick is not a part of healthy aging. You can take good care of yourself, and find ways to manage your health and wellbeing. Finding a practitioner that takes a holistic approach is key.

Surprised? Don’t be. All of the issues outlined above can be treated with a holistic, integrative approach. Often, all that is needed are lifestyle changes. You can learn more about how to take better care of your body, and reap the results in increased wellness.

In fact, aging can sometimes lead to wisdom about what does and doesn’t work for you. Perhaps you are finding out more about you personal allergies, intolerances, and other needs. Or, maybe after a lifetime of ignoring stress and other lifestyle factors, you’re finally taking into account what does and doesn’t work for you – and setting healthy boundaries.

When you think about it that way, aging can be a healthy process of gaining self knowledge about how to best care for your body and your life. You can take charge, and even find ways to be in better health than you were when you were younger!

Here are some healthy ways to promote good health as you age, and learn more about what works for you.

  1. Really key-in to how much sleep you need. Most of us have been trained to try to skimp on sleep. Instead, take the time to determine how much you need to feel your best. Good sleep is essential for maintaining good health.
  2. As we age, it becomes important to pay attention to how we feel after meals. Paying attention to feelings of fullness, and recognizing how we feel in the time after we eat, can help us tune in to allergies, imbalances, and other issues we may have pushed through or ignored when we were younger.
  3. Get more exercise. Even just walking helps. Regular physical activity is best for both body and mind. You have to stay engaged to keep moving (so to speak) into your best health at any age.
  4. Manage stress. Aging often brings self knowledge. It’s important now, more than perhaps ever, to draw healthy boundaries and limits. You must prioritize self care.

Also, know your body. Unexplained symptoms should never be ignored. If you are feeling unwell, it’s worth a trip to visit your trusted provider to rule out issues and find holistic solutions.

At Proactive Wellness, we will provide a complete screening and counseling at each step to help facilitate normal, healthy aging at each step of the process. If you have any questions, we will run tests and give you full screenings to rule out any issues and prevent a progressive worsening and risk to your long-term health.

If you have any questions about your health please don’t hesitate to give us a call! Check out our website for more information, as well. We want to partner with you to find solutions that work, and help you to live your most active, healthy life – even as you age.