Introduction
As more Americans turn to integrative medicine and functional medicine to boost their health and wellbeing, it’s essential for practitioners to understand how to bridge the gap between patients and their primary care doctors. According to the Harvard Medical School, US adults like integrative medicine but very few discuss it with their doctors. A recent survey by the University of Michigan found that while two-thirds of Americans over 50 use some form of integrative medicine such as massage therapy, yoga, or meditation to boost their health and mood, fewer than one-fifth discuss it with their doctor. The survey conducted by the University of Michigan found that 92% of respondents found integrative medicine techniques to be beneficial. Women and midlife adults were more likely to use integrative medicine. The study suggests that those using or interested in using integrative medicine should talk to their doctor. Integrative medicine and functional medicine practitioners can play a major role in engineering this process to maximize growth for their business.
Integrative medicine and functional medicine practitioners offer a holistic approach to healthcare that emphasizes the importance of addressing the root causes of illness, rather than just treating symptoms.