I Didn’t Quit Western Medicine. I Added Integrative Care

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<p><em>[This is part I of my deep dive into integrative medicine. You can read part 2 <a href="https://medshadow.org/integrative-health/other-treatments/can-you-recover-from-a-cold-without-medication/">here</a>]</em></p>
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<p>I’m here to put in a plea that more doctors practice integrative medicine and more patients seek it. </p>
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<p>Like many people, I’ve dabbled in what is often called “<a href="https://medshadow.org/glossary-of-medical-terms/">alternative medicine</a>,” including acupuncture, massage, supplements, and more. My interest is more than personal, however. At MedShadow, we report almost exclusively on medical interventions and drugs that have high-quality research, but more than a decade ago, when I launched the site, there seemed to be very few quality studies on integrative and complementary medicine topics.</p>
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<p>To better understand the field, I decided to attend the <a href="https://painresearchers.com/events/104413">2025 International Congress on Integrative Medicine and Health</a> in March. </p>
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<p>What I discovered at this event felt massive; so much has changed in the alternative med world! The conference sessions highlighted a wide range of studies with noticeable depth, quality and specificity, published by peer-reviewed journals. Much of the funding for the research came from our government, primarily through the National Institute of Health’s<a href="https://www.nccih.nih.gov"> National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). </a></p>
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<p>But when I got back home, it was difficult for me to decide which of the numerous therapies I had learned more about would actually be useful for me. And then, when I tried some of them, I couldn’t really be sure if they had “worked.” <em>Was my stress lowered? Did my achy back really feel better? Did I do them long enough? How many sessions were the right amount of sessions?</em></p>
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<p>The field is also vast. Beyond what I’ve already mentioned, there is music and dance therapy, forest bathing, homeopathy, Reiki, tai chi, yoga, Ayurveda, and traditional Chinese medicine… the list goes on.</p>
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<p>I realized that if I wanted to really explore non-drug health modalities, I should find a doctor who supported their use and could guide me to what might work best for me. I also wanted a doctor who was an M.D. or a DO. I am not interested in abandoning Western medicine — some of the greatest human achievements in history come from it. But I recognize that sometimes I need more. </p>
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<p>When possible, I prefer the least invasive, least drug-based care that is both effective and safe.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Learning About Integrative Care</h2>
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<p>I looked into what integrative medicine adds to a doctor’s care. Integrative medicine is <a href="https://www.abpsus.org/growingtrend-integrative-medicine/">an additional layer of training</a> on top of a medical degree, whether an M.D. or a DO (Doctor of Osteopathy). Both M.D.s and DOs have four years of medical training in order to diagnose diseases, prescribe medicines, and conduct surgery. Their primary tools are tests, pharmacology, and subspecialties. <a href="https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/difference-between-md-and-do">DOs</a> place a stronger emphasis on holistic care and use a system of physical manipulations as part of treatment. </p>
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<p><a href="https://weillcornell.org/integrative-health-program">Integrative medicine</a> is pursued through fellowship training. The program trains physicians to identify the root cause of an illness and place a greater emphasis on overall wellness. An important part of that training, for me, is learning how to incorporate complementary therapies alongside traditional medical care — which is why many in the field are shifting the language from “alternative” to “complementary and integrative.”</p>
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<p>If you choose a doctor with integrative training, you can expect care recommendations similar to those from a traditional family medicine practitioner, with the addition of complementary therapies, when appropriate, such as acupuncture, nutrition counseling, massage, medication, stress reduction, yoga, and supplements.</p>
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<p>Insurance typically covers the conventional medical aspects of care provided by an integrative physician, such as office visits, lab tests, and prescriptions. Depending on your policy, many complementary therapies that an integrative doctor may recommend, including acupuncture, massage, nutrition counseling, or supplements, may not be covered. Integrative care also often involves longer consultations, which can come with additional out-of-pocket costs. For that reason, it’s important to ask about expected fees when scheduling an appointment.</p>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Why I Chose Integrative Over Functional Medicine</h3>
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<p>What I also realized is that a discipline called <a href="https://medshadow.org/glossary-of-medical-terms/#:~:text=for%20patients.-,Functional%20Medicine,-Functional%20medicine%20is">functional medicine</a> also takes a root-cause approach, but functional medicine practitioners <em>are not </em>required to be M.D.s or DOs. Because training and credentials can vary widely, it’s important to check a practitioner’s background before placing your health in their care.</p>
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<p>While I briefly considered seeking out a functional medicine practitioner, in practice, the research I’ve seen shows the field <a href="https://www.ifm.org/environmental-health">relies heavily on </a>testing <a href="https://www.ifm.org/articles/role-of-the-microbiome">gut microbiomes</a>, toxic burden, and micronutrient levels. Many of these tests seem to have very few high-quality, evidence-based studies to back up their use. Additionally, they aren’t typically covered by insurance and aren’t always recommended by mainstream medical guidelines. And in many functional medicine practices, supplements seem to play a central role, with treatment plans sometimes involving extensive regimens.</p>
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<p>So, back to my personal journey: I eventually found an integrative physician and ended up seeing him three times this year — a personal best for me. The first visit was simply to meet him; the second was prompted by a severe case of poison ivy. Each time, we discussed my overall wellness, and, somewhat ironically, he <em>did</em> recommend a few supplements. I’ll admit I ignored those recommendations, but I was reassured to see that he didn’t sell supplements directly.</p>
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<p>The third visit came right after what I’ve come to expect every year: my “annual cold.” My colds are always followed by three or more weeks of a terrible, hacking cough. I realized then that I was ready to address it — I don’t want to spend weeks and weeks coughing ever again.</p>
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<p>What did he recommend, and did it work? More on that later…</p>
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