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Whats the difference between “alternative,” “complementary” and “integrative” medicine?

April 26, 2017alternative complementary integrative Medicine

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Whats the difference between “alternative,” “complementary” and “integrative” medicine?

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Dr. Leslie Mendoza-Temple (NorthShore): Alternative= This is chosen INSTEAD of conventional medicine. I am not a fan of strictly “Alternative” medicine because it implies that you are choosing one way or the other, rather than allowing for all kinds of medicine. Complementary= therapies used that help enhance or act synergistically with conventional medicine— good stuff. Integrative = The use of all of the above with conventional medicine. Example: chemotherapy and radiation therapy, with weekly acupuncture and twice monthly massages, plus vitamin D supplementation with fish oils, refined sugar elimination, yoga and psychotherapy. That’s truly integrative!