At Meliora Integrative Medicine in Evanston, IL, we specialize in a unique approach to health and wellness through integrative medicine. Spearheaded by Dr. Rowena Chua, our facility merges conventional medical practices with innovative integrative treatment methods.
Integrative medicine goes beyond mere medical treatment; it’s a journey toward holistic well-being, blending traditional medical care with complementary medicine strategies. It’s about understanding you as a whole — your lifestyle, your environment, and your individual health needs. This comprehensive approach enables us to provide personalized care that not only focuses on addressing immediate health concerns but also promotes long-term wellness and vitality.
What is Integrative Medicine?
Integrative Medicine is an approach to care that places the patient at the center. A medical physician with integrative medicine training examines the physical, emotional, mental, social, spiritual and environmental influences affecting your health. It is healing-oriented care that seeks to restore and maintain health and wellness through more personalized care.
At its core, integrative medicine is about balance. It employs a variety of treatment modalities, including lifestyle changes, nutrition, acupuncture, mind-body techniques, and herbal remedies, alongside conventional treatments like medication and surgery. This approach ensures a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to the individual needs of each patient.
The Defining Principles of Integrative Medicine
- A partnership between the patient and practitioner in the healing process.
- Consideration of all factors that influence health, wellness, and disease - including mind, body, spirit, community.
- Investigate and address the underlying causes of illness, rather than treating only the symptoms.
- Appropriate use of conventional and alternative methods to facilitate the body's innate healing response.
- Critical evaluation and selection of conventional and alternative therapies based on clinical outcomes and known side effects.
- Recognition that good medicine should be based on good science that is inquiry-driven and open to new paradigms.
- Use of natural, less-invasive and effective interventions whenever possible.
- Promotion of health and prevention of illness is paramount.
Who Can Integrative Medicine Can Help
- Patients who are looking for health care options that go beyond medication and conventional treatment.
- Patients who want to avoid taking drugs for their symptoms or conditions.
- Patients who have specific symptoms but are told there is nothing wrong with them and their laboratory workup is “normal”.
- Patients who want more time with their physician.
- Patients who have a constellation of symptoms and are subsequently referred to different specialists for each symptom or condition.
- Patients who have sought out alternative therapies (ie. supplements, mind-body work, etc.) but are unsure if the treatments are working for them.
Benefits of Integrative Medicine
Comprehensive Health Assessment
Integrative medicine goes beyond treating symptoms. It involves a thorough assessment of your health, considering not just physical symptoms but also lifestyle, emotional well-being, and environmental factors. This comprehensive approach ensures a holistic understanding of your health.
Personalized Treatment Plans
Every individual is unique, and so are their health needs. Integrative medicine focuses on creating personalized treatment plans and tailoring therapies and interventions to fit your specific health requirements and goals.
Chronic Disease Management
For those dealing with chronic conditions, integrative medicine offers effective management strategies. It combines conventional treatments with complementary therapies, enhancing disease control and improving quality of life.
Preventive Health Care
Prevention is a cornerstone of integrative medicine. By focusing on lifestyle modifications and preventive measures, this approach helps in reducing the risk of developing chronic diseases and maintaining long-term health.
Stress Reduction
Stress adversely affects health. Integrative medicine employs techniques like meditation, yoga, and mindfulness to effectively reduce stress, promoting mental and emotional balance.
Pain Management
Chronic pain can be debilitating. Integrative medicine offers various pain management strategies, such as acupuncture and massage, providing relief without the sole reliance on pharmaceuticals.
Improved Digestive Health
Good digestive health is crucial for overall wellness. Integrative medicine addresses digestive issues through dietary changes, herbal remedies, and other natural treatments, promoting a healthy gut.
Enhanced Immune Function
A robust immune system is essential for health and vitality. Integrative medicine strengthens immune function through a combination of nutritional advice, lifestyle changes, and natural supplements.
Better Sleep Quality
Sleep is fundamental to health. Integrative medicine employs various techniques to improve sleep quality, such as relaxation techniques and herbal supplements, ensuring restorative sleep.
Holistic Mental Health Support
Mental health is as important as physical health. Integrative medicine addresses mental health holistically, using therapies like counseling and mind-body practices to support emotional and psychological well-being.
Increased Energy Levels
Fatigue can impact daily life significantly. Integrative medicine focuses on enhancing energy levels through nutritional guidance, exercise plans, and stress management techniques, helping you feel more vibrant and energetic.
What Is Included in Our Integrative Medicine Services
Five-Point Restorative Approach
An imbalance in one or more of these areas — hormones, nutrients, toxin clearance, mind, and body — can play a role in your symptoms or conditions. In turn, these imbalances can affect multiple body systems, including the nervous system, digestion, and immune and metabolic systems. Most importantly, it helps us discover the root causes of your symptoms or conditions.
Restoration of optimal functioning in these areas can play an important role in your overall health, healing, and wellness. It can also help you with long-term prevention strategies for chronic disease. Dr. Chua developed this protocol based on training from the SaJune Institute for Restorative and Regenerative Medicine.
Optimization Tier
Get the Balance Right
For most patients, the integrative and restorative process works best if we address optimization by tiers, with nutrient and hormone levels as the base. It can take at least six months to optimize nutrient and hormone levels, but typically before then, patients slowly start to feel better. They sleep better, energy increases, and mood improves. They become more motivated to start work on other areas, such as improving their diet, incorporating exercise, and implementing stress relief strategies. We work with patients until optimization in all five areas is achieved.
Consultation
Frequently Asked Questions About Integrative Medicine
How Does Integrative Medicine Differ From Conventional Medicine?
While conventional medicine primarily concentrates on diagnosing and treating symptoms of disease, integrative medicine looks at the patient as a whole and considers various factors like lifestyle, environment, and mental health. It integrates traditional medical practices with alternative therapies such as acupuncture, massage, and herbal medicine. The goal is to provide a more comprehensive and holistic approach to health care.
Can Integrative Medicine Help With Chronic Conditions?
Yes, integrative medicine can be particularly beneficial for managing chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease. It offers a combination of traditional treatments and complementary therapies that focus on managing symptoms, improving quality of life, and addressing the root causes of the condition. This approach is tailored to each patient’s specific needs and health goals.
How Long Does It Take to See Results From Integrative Medicine?
The time frame to see results from integrative medicine varies depending on the individual and their specific health concerns. Some patients may notice improvements relatively quickly, while others may require a longer period to experience significant changes. The key is a personalized approach and ongoing adjustments to the treatment plan as needed.
How Do I Know If Integrative Medicine Is Right for Me?
If you’re seeking a more holistic approach to your health, dealing with chronic conditions, or looking for preventive care, integrative medicine could be a suitable option. It’s best to consult with a health care professional who specializes in integrative medicine, like those at Meliora Integrative Medicine, to discuss your specific health needs and goals.
Discover Comprehensive Health With Integrative Medicine in Evanston, IL
At Meliora Integrative Medicine in Evanston, IL, we pride ourselves on providing our patients with integrative medical care. Our integrative treatment approach takes into account the whole person, combining conventional medicine with complementary therapies such as mind-body medicine. By focusing on the root causes of our patients’ health concerns, we aim to promote long-term wellness rather than simply treating symptoms.
Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, hormonal imbalances, or digestive issues, we are committed to helping you achieve optimal health. Contact us online or give us a call at (847) 440-4355 to schedule a consultation and discover how integrative medicine can benefit you.
