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You may have heard terms like “patient-centered” or “personalized” medicine. These buzz words are being used by the medical community to recognize that the ‘one-size fits all’ approach to patient care is quickly changing. Enter integrative medicine.
In many ways, integrative medicine sounds like good common sense. Eat well, exercise, and put yourself into a good frame of mind and you are more likely to have a fulfilled, health and happy life. Those going through cancer or another chronic illness can often struggle with feelings of confusion, stress, and wonder how they can support their own health. Integrative medicine is aimed to treat the whole person—mind, body, and spirit.
For instance, meditation, nutrition, exercise, emotional support and counseling, may help transform the anxiety and fear of a cancer diagnosis, inspiring action and healing. Ann introduction to integrative medicine can help change your outlook – reducing the risk of depression and side-effects of cancer treatment, along with supporting health and wellbeing. Not to mention providing additional support to friends and family, who are an essential part of your care and healing.
Often life-threatening illness can be a catalyst for a radical change in thinking. Interestingly, up to 80 percent of cancer patients seek out ways to support their health and wellbeing. The underlying theme is that people want to take ownership of their health. Integrative medicine can help you to make informed choices about your health while working optimally with your standard medical treatment.
A paradigm shift is happening in the medical community with the growing acceptance of incorporating health and wellness into treatment. The BC Cancer Agency has a website called aftercancer.bccancer.bc.ca which explores the “new normal,” focusing on health and wellness as key strategies to adjust to aid treatment and prevent second cancers. This whole person approach honours the growing awareness that compassion and attention to the mind, body, and spirit have a vital place in healing and prevention of recurrence.
Special event: InspireHealth Integrative Cancer Centre is teaming with the Ottawa Integrative Cancer Centre to offer online programs for cancer patients across Canada who cannot attend in-person consultations. This interactive, live online webinar series starts on June 10. For more information, visit: inspirehealth.ca/life-webinar-series
For over 25 years, widely celebrated cardiologist and accomplished physician Dr. Steven Farber has been incorporating ancient, alternative healing methods into his modern treatment to ensure the holistic wellness of his patients. To keep posted on his news, updates, or new blogs, follow this Twitter account.
