What We Do

We seek to nurture new and transformational integrative models of care that are patient-centered, acknowledge the role of lifestyle as a major determinant of health, and respect the healing approaches of diverse cultures while emphasizing patient empowerment and focusing on prevention and whole-person healing.

What is Integrative Medicine?

Integrative medicine brings together conventional and complementary practices in a coordinated manner to promote health, illness prevention and healthy living. It emphasizes a holistic, patient-focused approach to health care and wellness, treating the whole person. The UW Osher Center emphasizes that the practitioner and patient are partners in the healing process, and all factors that influence health, wellness and disease are taken into consideration.

How does Integrative Medicine differ from Complementary Medicine?

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, more than 30% of Americans use approaches to health care that are outside of conventional Western medical practice. When these practices are used in conjunction with conventional medicine, they are considered “complementary.” Often people using a complementary approach do not share this information with their primary care provider, keeping the Western and complementary providers and practices separate.
Integrative health care brings together conventional and complementary health care in an intentional, coordinated manner. Because of the open, holistic approach and open communication between practitioner and patient integrative medicine supports both parties working together to achieve the patient’s health care goals.