About Integrative Therapies

Integrative therapies are person-centered and will often vary to meet individual needs – mind, body, and spirit.  While many integrative therapies are provided by skilled practitioners, individuals should also take an active role in educating themselves about safety and use so therapies can be practiced independently and incorporated into daily living.  

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) identify three primary classification of therapies:

1. Mind and Body Practices: Some of the most popular mind-body practices include yoga, meditation, mindfulness, breathwork, hypnotherapy, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, and general relaxation practices.
2. Natural Products: This group includes products such as herbs, essential oils, vitamins and minerals, probiotics, and dietary supplements.  These products are widely used but unregulated, so quality and safety are significant concerns. 
3. Other Complementary Health Approaches: There are many integrative health approaches that are specific to systems of healing, which makes up this category. These are entire systems of healing rather than individual practices.   Within this category is traditional healers, Ayurvedic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, homeopathy, naturopathy, and functional medicine.  

Integrative therapies can be incorporated into health practices as stand-alone interventions as well as in combination with allopathic medical interventions.  It is important to communicate with your care providers to let them know what integrative therapies you practice.  Just as one might ask about a medical provider's experience and credentials, it is appropriate and encouraged for you to ask this of your integrative health providers as well.