Integrative Care
Susana E. Mendez, OMD, MBA, ABMPP, L.Ac, LCDC, CAS, completed her residency and fellowship in her native Buenos Aires - Argentina. She is a licensed bilingual psychiatrist in Argentina and Spain and Psychotherapist as well as an Oriental Medical Practitioner, holding a Master in International Business in USA. As treatment... more
What is integrated care and why to explore it?
In this western world we seek medications for every health challenge we encounter. We are almost conditioned to look for the perfect pill, the perfect procedure, the perfect outcome. But what if we look for other alternatives? What if we look at the “root” of the problem and end up finding that the solution is within us. Let me be clear medications are important, just for the period of time needed with the dosage needed and always considering the side effects.
Integrated care takes in consideration every aspect of your life, not just the health challenge you present during your consultation. Bio-individuality is related to our unique makeup, from genetics to how we respond to triggers or stressors. The multi-dimensional aspect, few times considered, needs to be addressed long enough to see how each system is connected to each other and react to stressor or triggers. MD specialists usually focus on one system. Cardiologist to the heart, dermatologist to the skin…and so on.
Integrative medical practitioners focus on the connections among systems, helping to find what triggers the signs and symptoms that are manifestation of something underneath. Integrative medicine physicians don't replace the primary care provider or specialist. We work together with all members of the healthcare team to heal your mind, body. and spirit.
Their expertise lies in preventing and managing chronic diseases. PREVENTION is the word.
If we take care of, for example, our microbiome, many things will start changing, including our mental health. Exploring alternative care could be the first stop to discover that many times the solutions is more simplistic.
How do we reduce our stress? Do we eat well, do we include pre and probiotics, do we sleep well or stay long hours using electronics? Do we take care of our primary food – family, friends, spirituality, exercise, etc.? Taking care of our health is our responsibility to secure a healthy pathway conducive to enjoy life.
So…think about it, more pills or better outdoor activities, more electronics or better sleep in a nice dark room, more stressors or letting go things that are out of our control. People with addiction(s) who are attending to meetings usually use the line “one day at the time”.
Let’s move on together, one day at the time, preventing issues, managing what we can control, and letting go things that can affects us in every are of our life, directly or indirectly.
