Through treatments such as optimal nutrition, physical activity, or restorative sleep, healthy and fulfilling lives can be attained for all patients and families. Many health challenges, including chronic disease, have underlying root causes which need to be addressed to achieve lasting healing. Integrative wellness and lifestyle medicine aim to provide proactive and reactive care through whole-person health with evidence-based practices.
Despite our best efforts, wellness isn鈥檛 always at the forefront of our minds. Life gets busy, we get distracted, and we can fall into less self-serving habits. According to the , six in ten adults in the United States have a chronic disease, with four in ten adults having two or more chronic diseases.
When given a chronic diagnosis, the almost immediate approach many people take is toward conventional medical practices. Albeit grandly beneficial, the implementation of integrative wellness and lifestyle medicine enhances the prevention, treatment, and reduction of chronic diseases.
Integrative Wellness
Personalized to an individual鈥檚 health goals, integrative wellness combines the consideration of one鈥檚 well-being with conventional medical approaches. As a more holistic approach to healthcare, integrative wellness considers all components of an individual鈥檚 life; from physical, mental, and emotional health to interpersonal relationships.
The field of integrative medicine began in the 1960s, yet it took until 1995 to be recognized as a . The foundation of integrative wellness is integrative medicine. Per the , integrative medicine values the relationship between practitioner and patient, 鈥�...focuses on the whole person, is informed by evidence, and makes use of all appropriate therapeutic approaches, healthcare professionals, and disciplines to achieve optimal health and healing.鈥�
Integrative wellness is commonly applied to the treatment of individuals who have been diagnosed with chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, pre-diabetes, diabetes, obesity, anxiety, depression, and stress.
This method of treatment includes a whole-person approach, designed to target the elements of an individual鈥檚 life.
Examples of Integrative Wellness
Approaches to integrative wellness include but aren鈥檛 limited to:
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Mind-Body Medicine
- Well-being and Health Coaching
- Sport Performance
- Culinary Medicine
How does Integrative Wellness Compare to Lifestyle Medicine?
Lifestyle medicine is not separate from integrative wellness; rather, it is a core component in whole-person health and aids in exploring solutions to the root causes of illness. Both methods of healthcare center around the well-being of a whole person, rather than a singular component in their life. Both include the research, diagnosis, and treatment of conventional healthcare with holistic approaches and have the chronic diseases.
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Preventative Care vs. Reactive Care
Integrative wellness and lifestyle medicine each incorporate preventive and reactive care. With preventative care, the medicine is meant to develop healthy lifestyle habits, so individuals can avoid symptoms before they experience signs of chronic diseases or illnesses. Reactive care 鈥� usually combated with conventional care 鈥� is for individuals who are already experiencing symptoms. Although Integrative wellness and lifestyle medicine primarily focus on preventive care, conventional treatments plans routinely implement integrative wellness solutions to help patients.
Additional Examples of Integrative Wellness/Lifestyle Medicine
- Optimal Nutrition
- Physical Activity
- Stress Management
- Restorative Sleep
- Connectedness
- Risky Substance Avoidance
While it鈥檚 a patient鈥檚 decision to implement integrated wellness and in their treatment plan, studies continue to show their involvement provides many benefits. Via the journal article , 鈥渋ncreased physical activity, proper nutrition, weight management, avoidance of tobacco, and stress reduction鈥an lower the risk of chronic disease and improve quality of life.鈥�
What is Health and Wellness Coaching?
provides evidence-based guidance to individuals who strive to achieve self-determined, health and wellness goals. It鈥檚 an element of both preventative care and reactive care and can be an added segment of a client鈥檚 existing treatment team.
A health and wellness coach will assess and educate clientele on building a healthy lifestyle with self-experiences, educational insight, and resources. They provide encouragement and methods of lifestyle and holistic medicine for their clients, to ensure long-lasting and value-aligned changes are made.
Below are goals that clients may want to achieve through health and wellness coaching:
- Reducing stress
- Eating a balanced diet
- Having work-life balance
- Increasing personal satisfaction
- Losing weight
- Implementing self-care
What Integrative Wellness and Lifestyle Medicine Jobs are out There?
More job opportunities are opening for people interested in the conventional healthcare field with integrative wellness and lifestyle medicines鈥� presence growing. Occupations can be found in various settings, such as hospitals, wellness centers, gyms, academic institutions, and holistic health practices. The following are common jobs within the field:
- Health and wellness coach
- Wellness Director
- Registered Dietitian
- Integrative wellness nurse
- Integrative wellness physician
The field of healthcare services is expected to grow following the COVID-19 pandemic and implementation of the Affordable Care Act. According to the , the projected employment growth for community health workers is 12% within the next decade. For dietitians, the expected growth rate is 6%, while education specialists is expected to be 4%.
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