Integrative health brings conventional and complementary approaches together in a coordinated way. Integrative health also emphasizes multimodal interventions, which are two or more interventions such as conventional health care approaches (like medication, physical rehabilitation, psychotherapy), and complementary health approaches (like acupuncture, yoga, and probiotics) in various combinations, with an emphasis on treating the whole person rather than, for example, one organ system. Integrative health aims for well-coordinated care among different providers and institutions by bringing conventional and complementary approaches together to care for the whole person.

The use of integrative approaches to health and wellness has grown within care settings across the United States. Researchers are currently exploring the potential benefits of integrative health in a variety of situations, including pain management for military personnel and veterans, relief of symptoms in cancer patients and survivors, and programs to promote healthy behaviors.

What is whole person health?
Whole person health refers to helping individuals, families, communities, and populations improve and restore their health in multiple interconnected domains—biological, behavioral, social, environmental—rather than just treating disease. Research on whole person health includes expanding the understanding of the connections between these various aspects of health, including connections between organs and body systems.
Chronic pain is a common problem among active-duty military personnel and veterans. NCCIH, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and other agencies are sponsoring research to see whether integrative approaches can help. For example:
An NCCIH-funded study is developing an innovative, collaborative treatment model involving chiropractors, primary care providers, and mental health providers for veterans with spine pain and related mental health conditions.
Other NCCIH-funded studies are testing the effects of adding mindfulness meditation, self-hypnosis, or other complementary approaches to pain management programs for veterans. The goal is to help patients feel and function better and reduce their need for pain medicines that can have serious side effects.
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is the term for medical products and practices that are not part of standard medical care. People with cancer may use CAM to

help cope with the side effects of cancer treatments, such as nausea, pain, and fatigue
comfort themselves and ease the worries of cancer treatment and related stress
feel that they are doing something to help with their own care
try to treat or cure their cancer
Integrative medicine is an approach to medical care that combines conventional medicine with CAM practices that have shown through science to be safe and effective. This approach often stresses the patient’s preferences, and it attempts to address the mental, physical, and spiritual aspects of health.

Conventional medicine is a system in which health professionals who hold an M.D. (medical doctor) or D.O. (doctor of osteopathy) degree treat symptoms and diseases using drugs, radiation, or surgery.  It is also practiced by other health professionals, such as nurses, pharmacists, physician assistants, and therapists. It may also be called allopathic medicine, biomedicine, Western, mainstream, or orthodox medicine. Some conventional medical care practitioners are also practitioners of CAM.

Standard medical care is treatment that is accepted by medical experts as a proper treatment for a certain type of disease and that is widely used by healthcare professionals. Also called best practice, standard of care, and standard therapy.

Complementary medicine is used along with standard medical treatment but is not considered by itself to be standard treatment. One example is using acupuncture to help lessen some side effects of cancer treatment. Less research has been done for most types of complementary medicine.

Alternative medicine is used instead of standard medical treatment. One example is using a special diet to treat cancer instead of cancer drugs that are prescribed by an oncologist. Less research has been done for most types of alternative medicine.

Types of Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Scientists learn about CAM therapies every day, but there is still more to learn. This list is meant to be an introduction to what types of CAM are practiced, not an endorsement. Some of the therapies listed below still need more research to prove that they can be helpful. If you have cancer, you should discuss your thoughts about using CAM with your health care provider before using the therapies listed below.

People may use the term “natural,” “holistic,” “home remedy,” or “Eastern Medicine” to refer to CAM. However, experts often use five categories to describe it. These are listed below with examples for each.

Mind–body therapies

These combine mental focus, breathing, and body movements to help relax the body and mind. Some examples are

meditation: focused breathing or repetition of words or phrases to quiet the mind and lessen stressful thoughts and feelings.
biofeedback: using special machines, the patient learns how to control certain body functions that are normally out of one’s awareness (such as heart rate and blood pressure).
hypnosis: a trance-like state in which a person becomes more aware and focused on certain feelings, thoughts, images, sensations or behaviors. A person may feel more calm and open to suggestion in order to aid in healing.
yoga: ancient system of practices used to balance the mind and body through stretches and poses, meditation, and controlled breathing
tai chi: a form of gentle exercise and meditation that uses slow sets of body movements and controlled breathing
imagery:  focusing on positive images in the mind, such as imagining scenes, pictures, or experiences to help the body heal
creative outlets: interests such as art, music, or dance
Biologically based practices

This type of CAM uses things found in nature. Some examples are

vitamins: nutrients the body needs in small amounts to function and stay healthy
dietary supplements: products added to the diet that may contain ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, and herbs, to name a few
botanicals: plants or parts of plants. One type is cannabis.
herbs and spices such as turmeric or cinnamon (See Herbs at a Glance)
special foods or diets.