FOCUSED on full healing

When it comes to healing, integrative medicine is evolving how we treat pain and chronic diseases. Focused on holistic care, integrative medicine brings together conventional and complementary approaches to health care.

“In traditional Western medicine, we’re treating symptoms, we’re not treating the actual cause of the problem,” explains Deborah Ballard, MD, an integrative medicine specialist at Sanford Health. “Integrative medicine differs in that we address the root cause of illness.”

The World Health Organization defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing — not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Going beyond the application of medications and surgeries, integrative medicine asks why a patient is experiencing their health issues — whether they are facing high blood pressure, chronic headaches, Type 2 diabetes, fatigue, back pain or any number of other chronic problems.

“Integrative medicine doctors are very interested in healing patients, not so much about treating disease,” Ballard says. “And sometimes treating disease means healing. But a lot of times, to heal someone you have to go beyond the treatment of a specific condition, you have to address the entire person.”

Integrative medicine can help patients with issues like immune function, aging, disease prevention, chronic pain and emotional wellness. The treatment process involves a partnership between the patient and their health care provider.

We spend a lot of time discussing why we’re recommending something so a patient can make a fully informed decision,” Ballard says. “We ask them to be more involved in their treatment options and they often need to make some lifestyle changes.”

This shared decision-making process empowers patients to address factors that can be contributing to their suffering. Integrative medicine encourages patients to examine their diets, physical activity, stress levels and environment to determine what changes might improve their well-being.

“We try to intervene and stop negative habits so they can embrace a lifestyle that’s much healthier,” Ballard says. “And once they develop a healthy lifestyle and feel better, patients can benefit throughout their lives.”

Another defining principle of integrative medicine is to focus on complete healing through blended care for the body, mind and spirit. Integrative medicine uses a variety of evidence-based healing traditions including acupuncture, dietary supplements, healing touch, nutritional management, physical therapy and wellness coaching.

“We recognize that with any chronic illness, we have to address the emotional and spiritual health of our patients as well, because without that piece it is very difficult to help patients actually heal,” says Ballard.

Ballard emphasizes that integrative medicine is not at odds with traditional medication. In fact, prescription medications can be combined with other treatment methods to form a whole healing program. Overall, the foundation of integrative medicine is not about eliminating options, but rather finding better tools to help patients get well.

“What inspires me is to see someone be able to live their best life — free from a lot of these chronic diseases — when we help them get the right healing plan together,” Ballard says.