Integrative Medicine
We define integrative medicine as healing-oriented medicine that takes account of the whole person (body, mind, and spirit), including all aspects of lifestyle. It emphasizes the therapeutic relationship and makes use of all appropriate therapies, both conventional and alternative.
Functional medicine is a related discipline that uses a focused methodology to find the root causes of illness using a comprehensive history, thorough physical exam, and advanced diagnostic testing. Using a personalized approach the doctor and patient then collaboratively develop a treatment plan using an integrative approach.
Dr. Paul Abramson is one of 35 physicians worldwide to have completed a Residential Senior Fellowship at Dr. Andrew Weil’s Center for Integrative Medicine (http://integrativemedicine NULL.arizona NULL.edu) at the University of Arizona. He also completed advanced training in functional medicine through the Institute for Functional Medicine, adding to his available repertoire of diagnostic and therapeutic tools.
The Defining Principles of Integrative Medicine (Adapted from AzCIM)
- Patient and practitioner are partners in the healing process.
- All factors that influence health, wellness, and disease are taken into consideration, including mind, spirit, and community, as well as the body.
- Appropriate use of both conventional and alternative methods facilitates the body’s innate healing response.
- Effective interventions that are natural and less invasive should be used whenever possible.
- Integrative medicine neither rejects conventional medicine nor accepts alternative therapies uncritically.
- Good medicine is based in good science. It is inquiry-driven and open to new paradigms.
- Alongside the concept of treatment, the broader concepts of health promotion and the prevention of illness are paramount.
- Practitioners of integrative medicine should exemplify its principles and commit themselves to self-exploration and self-development.
In addition to being highly trained in conventional medicine (including hospital medicine and intensive care), our doctors practice medical nutrition therapy, osteopathic manual medicine, medical hypnosis and botanical medicine. We also work with a network of expert practitioners in Traditional Chinese Medicine, dietary sciences, manual medicine, integrative psychology, and spiritual counseling, as well as the very best conventional specialists, to provide you the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment approaches to your individual condition.
What does this mean to you? You get the very best medical care, tailored to you as a unique individual. We apply the most appropriate modalities, typically a combination of conventional and alternative, based on a comprehensive evaluation of your condition and coordination of a therapeutic team.
The patient typically takes an active role in their care and we work together collaboratively to remove impediments to the healing process.
We are meticulous about our ethics and transparency so that you can feel confident that we are offering you the best possible options, without conflicts of interest.
Call us at 415-963-4431 to schedule a free “meet and greet” conversation with Dr. Abramson.
