Friday, February 27, 2009

What is Integrative Medicine?

People ask me what is Integrative Medicine – the type of medicine we practice at the Akasha Center, where I work.
Integrative Medicine is patient-centered, individualized care that
focuses on preventing disease and enhancing well-being. At Akasha, we integrate around the patient using the full range of proven preventive and
therapeutic approaches to treat illness and also to develop a
strategic plan for every patient to maximize their own health and well-being.

I am writing this while attending a summit on Integrative Medicine at the Institutes of Medicine – part of the National Academies of Science - in Washington, DC. This summit I am attending has brought together the country's leaders in Integrative Medicine like Dean Ornish, Andrew Weil , Mehmet Oz (Oprah’s Dr. Oz) and myself to discuss how we can advance our cause of patient centered health that focuses on wellness, prevention and respect for the body's ability to heal itself. We just heard from Senator Tom Harkin, who is a member of the senate committee crafting health care reform. This week, in his address to Congress, President Obama called for health care reform that not only expands coverage but also expands wellness and prevention. He put this in dollars and cents in the budget he presented yesterday.
This is truly ground-breaking – but obviously needed. At Akasha, we are not outside the mainstream of medical care – we are on the forefront of common sense health care that will be the norm in this country.

Winston Churchill once quipped: Americans always do the right thing…after they’ve tried everything else first.

At the Akasha Center for Integrative Medicine, we are already doing the right thing.

If you know of anyone who wants to invest in their own health and well-being, have them call us.

And if you happen to know of anyone who can help support me in offering Integrative Medicine for the poor at the Venice Family Clinic, please call me.