Brent A. Bauer M.D. - Mayo Clinic: The Integrative Guide to Good Health: Home Remedies Meet Alternative Therapies to Transform Well-Being

MAYO CLINIC

The Integrative Guide to Good Health

Mayo Clinic

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Brent A. Bauer, M.D.

Cindy A. Kermott, M.D.

Martha P. Millman, M.D.

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eISBN: 978-0-84875-358-0

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In this book we discuss a variety of products and practices. Our intent is for this information to serve as discussion points between the reader and his or her doctor. Because we say a therapy may be beneficial or we give it a green light does not mean we are endorsing any specific product or therapy.

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Part 1: Integrative Therapies for Wellness

Brent A. Bauer, M.D.

Medical editor, Mayo Clinic The Integrative Guide to Good Health, and Director of Research, Integrative Medicine and Health, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.

As Americans seek greater control of their health, explosive growth is taking place in the field of integrative medicine. People are looking for more natural or holistic ways to maintain good health. In addition, more and more people want to not only manage and prevent illness but also improve their quality of life overall.

At the same time, more treatments that were once considered on the fringe are slowly being integrated into conventional medicine. The key word to focus on here is integrated.

Although the term integrative medicine may be new to you, its reflected in the title of this book for a reason. Its a term thats been in the works for many years now a concept that was known as alternative medicine back in 2007 when the Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine was first published. Thats because these types of treatments were seen as alternatives to conventional medicine. Since then, the term alternative medicine has gone through several evolutions as more is learned about this growing field.

Today, as evidence showing the safety and effectiveness of many of these therapies grows, physicians are starting to integrate aspects of what was once seen as alternative medicine into conventional medical care. Thats why youre hearing the term integrative medicine more often. That change is reflected in the title of this book.

The purpose behind what you are about to read is to give you evidence-based insight into many of the most popular integrative treatments that can boost your health and wellness. Youll learn about integrative techniques and treatments that Mayo Clinic feels have the best research behind them.

Before you turn the page, think about your current health and your quality of life. If its not where you want it to be, integrative medicine used alongside conventional medicine may be worth discussing with your health care team. What is most important is finding the best evidence-based products and practices that work with conventional medicine to improve your health mind, body and spirit.

Start your integrative medicine journey

Here are 3 ways you can experience integrative medicine right now, this week.

1.Try one new form of exercise.

For many people, walking is a great choice for aerobic exercise. Other popular choices include swimming, bicycling and jogging. But these dont have to be your only choices. Take a page from integrative medicine and try a different form of physical activity this week. Here are three options.

Yoga

Yoga is a mind-body practice that combines physical poses, controlled breathing, and meditation or relaxation. In addition to helping you manage stress, lower blood pressure and lower your heart rate, practicing yoga can help you improve your balance, flexibility, range of motion and strength. Before trying yoga, see to make sure its safe for you.

Find yoga poses to try at www.MayoClinic.org. Search on yoga video.

Tai chi

Tai chi is a self-paced system of gentle physical exercise and stretching. Tai chi is generally safe for all ages and fitness levels, but women who are pregnant or people with joint problems, back pain, fractures, severe osteoporosis or a hernia should consult their doctors before trying tai chi. Learn more about tai chi .

Learn how to do tai chi here: https://nccih.nih.gov/video/taichidvd-full

Qi gong

Qi gong (CHEE-gung or CHEE-KUNG) generally combines meditation, relaxation, physical movement and breathing exercises to restore and maintain balance. Learn more about this click .