From “Alternative” to “Integrative”

Healthcare is undergoing a transformation. What was once called Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is now more widely known as Integrative Health. Even the National Institutes of Health updated its language, renaming the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH).

This change reflects more than just terminology. It signals a shift toward blending conventional medicine with evidence-based holistic practices that address the whole person rather than just symptoms.

What Is Integrative Health?

Integrative health emphasizes:

• Optimizing wellbeing instead of focusing only on disease.

• Uniting body, mind, and spirit in care plans.

• Recognizing the role of social, environmental, and lifestyle factors in health.

• Building a collaborative relationship between patient and practitioner.

The goal is not simply to treat illness, but to cultivate resilience and long-term wellness.

Categories of Integrative Therapies

Integrative health encompasses a wide range of practices, which can be grouped into:

• Mind-body practices: meditation, yoga, tai chi, breathwork, biofeedback.

• Energy-based therapies: Reiki, Healing Touch, therapeutic touch.

• Manual therapies: massage therapy, chiropractic care, osteopathic manipulation.

• Biologically-based approaches: botanical medicine, essential oils, dietary supplements such as omega-3s, probiotics, and curcumin.

• Whole medical systems: Traditional Chinese Medicine (acupuncture, herbal formulations) and Ayurveda.

These modalities can complement conventional treatment, supporting a more personalized and holistic approach to care.

Integrative Health vs. Integrative Medicine

Although often used interchangeably, there’s an important distinction:

• Integrative Medicine: Refers to clinical care within healthcare settings, focusing on the practitioner–patient relationship and treatment decisions.

• Integrative Health: Encompasses a broader vision — including biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors that influence wellbeing.

A 2017 consensus definition emphasized that integrative health involves active participation by individuals, families, communities, and healthcare teams in applying both preventative and therapeutic strategies.

Why Integrative Health Matters Today

The rise of integrative health reflects major shifts in healthcare priorities:

✅ Prevention over reaction — encouraging lifestyle and nutrition strategies that reduce disease risk.
✅ Personalization — tailoring care to individual biology, values, and goals.
✅ Collaboration — practitioners and patients working as partners.
✅ Wellbeing focus — aiming for resilience, balance, and thriving, not just the absence of illness.

The Role of Nutraceuticals in Integrative Health

Dietary supplements are among the most widely adopted integrative approaches. Common examples include:

• Omega-3 fatty acids for cardiovascular and brain support.

• Curcumin for inflammation and joint health.

• Probiotics and prebiotics for gut balance and immunity.

• Vitamin D for bone strength and healthy aging.

When chosen wisely and used with guidance, nutraceuticals can help bridge nutritional gaps and support the body’s natural healing systems.

The Takeaway

Integrative health represents the future of wellness — inclusive, evidence-informed, and focused on the whole person. By combining conventional medicine with mind-body practices, natural therapies, and nutritional support, individuals can move beyond simply managing disease and toward building vibrant, resilient health.