Our Team Of Integrative Medicine Doctors
Dr Sanjay Sachdeva
1 Session
30 Minutes
Dr Vijay Mohan Kohli
1 Session
60 Minutes
Dr [Prof] R. K. Tuli
1 Session
60 Minute
A Holistic Approach to Mental Health Through Integrative Medicine
Integrative medicine, which combines conventional and alternative therapies, has gained popularity for its role in fostering all-around health. Integrative medicine offers a wholistic strategy that treats the mind, body, and spirit when it comes to treating mental health issues. This essay examines the fundamentals of integrative medicine and emphasises its important contributions to a range of mental health issues.
Understanding Integrative Medicine: Integrative medicine adopts a patient-centred strategy that emphasises the specific or designer requirements of the person while taking into account one’s physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual factors. It incorporates complementary and alternative therapies, including acupuncture, yoga, meditation, herbal treatments, and dietary counselling, with evidence-based practises from mainstream medicine.
Stress and anxiety: Throughout the world, millions of people suffer from anxiety disorders and chronic stress. A variety of efficient tools are available in integrative medicine to handle these diseases. Meditation and yoga are two mindfulness-based exercises that aid in stress reduction and mental calmness. Natural sedatives and feelings of anxiety can be relieved by herbal treatments like chamomile and lavender. Also supporting normal brain function and lowering anxiety are nutritional interventions, such as a balanced diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.
Mood disorders and depression: Depression is a complicated mental health problem with a number of underlying causes. Depression is treated using a multimodal strategy in integrative medicine. Exercise on a regular basis or dance therapy boosts endorphin levels, elevates mood, and lessens depressive symptoms. The management of depressive symptoms using a combination of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based approaches has demonstrated encouraging outcomes. Additionally, it has been discovered that some herbs, such as St. John’s Wort, can treat mild to moderate depression.
Insomnia and Sleep Disorders: Sleep problems can have a serious negative influence on one’s mental and physical health. Integrative medicine places a strong emphasis on the value of good sleep hygiene practises, such as following a regular sleep schedule, creating a sleep-friendly environment, and developing calming bedtime rituals. Deep breathing exercises, gradual muscle relaxation, and aromatherapy are relaxation methods that can help people fall asleep soundly. Additionally, using herbal sleep aids like valerian root and passionflower may help.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): After experiencing or witnessing a terrible event, PTSD is a mental health condition that is generally manifested. Integrative medicine offers a thorough method for treating PTSD symptoms. A well-known technique that aids in processing traumatic memories and lowering related distress is called Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). The use of trained service dogs in animal-
assisted therapy has demonstrated promising results in easing PTSD symptoms and offering emotional support. Acupuncture and mind-body practises like Tai Chi and Qigong can also help control our nervous system and encourage calmness and serinity.
Substance Abuse and Addiction: Integrative medicine is essential in helping people overcome their addictions and substance abuse. Programmes for preventing relapse that emphasise mindfulness instruct participants on how to cultivate awareness and create healthy coping strategies. Acupuncture has been shown to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms in those under treatment for substance misuse. The restoration of brain chemistry and the promotion of recovery are aided by nutritional assistance, which includes a diet high in whole foods, antioxidants, and amino acids.
Conclusion: Integrative medicine provides a thorough and holistic approach to treating mental health issues. It targets the underlying causes of mental health difficulties while enhancing general wellbeing by combining traditional treatments with complementary therapies. Integrated medicine is becoming a more important tool in the management and treatment of mental health disorders as people become more aware of how their mind,
body, and spirit are intertwined. This paves the way for a more integrated and individualised approach to healthcare.