It is common to hear people say that ‘The proof of the pudding is in the eating’. The proof that integrative health is slowly broadening its base is the number of doctors advocating it in their practice. This results to an increase in the number of health institutions offering it as an option. To ensure that understanding is well entrenched in the practice of western medicine, many schools have already included integrative health studies in their curriculum.
To connect science and spirituality, integrative health studies is being made a part of trainings or a curriculum for advanced degrees. As a specialized field of learning, this may be regarded as an organized body of knowledge with values, skills and bases that form the foundation of this new health care philosophy. Unifying the discipline into one healthcare theory and practice is the effect of fusing the widely accepted traditional and conventional practices of healing. Integrative health studies successfully merge western medicine with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), natural, homeopathic and naturopathic approaches.
For professionals who practice medicine, integrative health studies include academic programs in Masters and Ph.D. With skill and understanding of alternative traditional healing, a career path is created for those interested in advancing in the medical profession career. The curricula were developed by collaborating with professionals who are familiar with the weaknesses and strengths of a practicing doctor. At the rate at which the demand is growing, the world will soon be witnessing these professionals to be leading the world into a new age of healing.
The students benefit from enrolling in integrative health studies by learning certain uncommon therapies which are promising potential. Psychoneuroimmunology (where the immune system is linked to mental processes), expressive therapies, psychotherapy, biofeedback, meditation, use of indigenous ceremonies as healing interventions are just some of these. Moreover, students also learn to use conventional methods in determining contraindications, indications, dosages if there are any, benefits and applications.
It is undeniable that natural healing is gaining prominence in today’s health practices. There is no use fighting integrative health because it merely expands its domain to include the total human being and not just a part of it. Integrative health studies, on the other hand, is ensuring that the approaches will be standardized and professionalized as it puts together and embraces anything that can promote human health.