Integrative Health - What is it?

Integrative health simply means a connection of conventional medicine with complementary health practices.

Why is this a good thing?

Our health system in the UK has been primarily based on conventional healthcare which is heavily biased toward pharmaceutical solutions and mostly looks at parts of our bodies and systems in isolation. Integrative health will work alongside conventional medicine but brings in the wider perspective that all systems, body parts, emotions and thoughts are connected and impact our health and wellbeing.

Mind, Body and Soul

In the complementary health field it is widely acknowledged that mind, body and soul are all connected. Discomfort in our thoughts, emotions or physical body can be seen to affect one or more systems. For example, trauma, stress, poor diet, addiction or grief can result in physical discomfort or disorder.  If we look at people who are regularly in a state of worry we can see that their systems are kept in a fight or flight mode and there is lots of evidence that shows that being in this high alert state over a period of time can lead to discomfort or disorder in the body and can impact the immune response. Within an integrative health system a practitioner might be able to recommend a calming therapy such as reflexology to put their whole system back into balance or a therapy such as havening to work on the underlying issues which set up the worrying pattern in the first place.

What might integrative health look like?

We are in early days with the system but it is hoped that when you visit your GP they might be able to recommend activities that can assist you without the need for pharmaceutical products. In certain circumstances these products will be the best option and will be prescribed, integrative health is not going to replace conventional medicine, it will work alongside it. Your GP might be able to refer you to someone who can help your health with nutritional advice, trauma release ( havening) bodywork, reflexology, NPL. We have a whole host of complementary practices in the UK and it is very exciting to think that with an integrated health system we will be able to offer a wider, more holistic approach to wellbeing.

Social prescribing

One aspect that has been gently filtering into conventional medicine is social prescribing. The medical profession has been increasingly aware that issues such as loneliness, isolation and lack of purpose can have detrimental effects on a person's sense of wellbeing. Many doctors have started to recommend social activities such as joining a gardening club, tai chi class, book clubs, volunteer work, walking, swimming etc to help combat these feelings. It is hoped that going forward this will be a normal consideration for GPs alongside referrals for physio, hypnotherapy, reflexology, trauma release therapies, nutritional programmes and so on.

Exciting times

I personally find this move towards a new healthcare system really interesting and exciting. It makes sense. Our physical body is not separate from our emotions or thoughts. One of my go to books, Your Body Speaks Your Mind by Deb Shapiro, makes this point clearly. I know it will take time as we are entrenched in the conventional system but integrative health has started to make its impact and will flourish I am sure.

Wishing you good health

June