Integrative Health Basics
This approach coordinates conventional healthcare with complementary practices to address the patient as a whole.
Integrative health
This technique creates a state of calm through slow breathing, reduced muscle tension, and focused attention.
Relaxation therapy
This hands-on therapy manipulates soft tissues to promote comfort, relaxation, and relief of muscle tension.
Massage therapy
Herbs, vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and other dietary supplements belong to this category of complementary approaches.
Natural products
When assessing integrative-health use, the nurse should ask about therapies and products in this respectful manner so the patient feels comfortable disclosing them.
An open, nonjudgmental manner
A nonmainstream practice used along with conventional medical treatment is described by this term.
A complementary health approach
In this mind–body practice, a patient focuses attention on a word, object, thought, or breathing pattern to promote calm awareness.
Meditation
This traditional Chinese practice involves inserting very thin needles at specific points on the body.
Acupuncture
Before using an herbal product, a patient should tell the healthcare team about all medications because of this possible danger.
Herb-drug or supplement-drug interactions
A patient should be encouraged to discuss complementary therapies with these professionals to prevent unsafe or conflicting treatments.
The patient's healthcare providers, including the prescriber and pharmacist
A nonmainstream practice used instead of conventional medical treatment is described by this term.
An alternative health approach
This therapy asks a patient to form calming or healing mental pictures, such as imagining a peaceful beach.
Guided imagery
This healthcare approach focuses primarily on the relationship between the body’s structure—especially the spine—and its functioning.
Chiropractic therapy
The word “natural” does not automatically mean that a product has this important characteristic.
Safe
Patients should investigate a complementary practitioner’s education, training, experience, certification, and this legal qualification when applicable.
Licensure
Integrative care considers these interconnected dimensions of a patient rather than focusing only on a disease.
The physical, emotional, mental, social, cultural, and spiritual dimensions
Slow, controlled inhalation and exhalation may reduce tension and promote the relaxation response through this practice.
Breathwork, or controlled breathing
Yoga and tai chi combine controlled movement with breathing, balance, and mental focus and belong to this broad group of practices.
Mind-body and movement-based practices
Bleeding, allergic reactions, medication interactions, contamination, and organ damage are examples of these possible effects of complementary products.
Risks or adverse effects
This National Institutes of Health center provides research-based information about complementary products, practices, effectiveness, and safety.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, or NCCIH
Respect for patient preferences, evidence-informed care, open communication, and coordination among providers are important principles of this approach.
Integrative health care
This technique uses electronic monitoring to help a person gain awareness and voluntary control over responses such as muscle tension or heart rate.
Biofeedback
Reiki and therapeutic touch are commonly classified as therapies involving this proposed field surrounding or flowing through the body.
Energy therapies or biofield therapies
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, childhood, older age, surgery, chronic disease, and multiple medication use are factors requiring this before beginning a therapy.
Additional safety evaluation or consultation with a healthcare provider
Evidence of effectiveness, possible risks, medication interactions, practitioner qualifications, cost, licensing, and coordination with conventional care should be considered during this process.
Making an informed decision about an integrative health approach