What Does the Name Integrative Medicine Really Mean?

By Boris Prilutsky

For many years, I have been a member of a private Integrative Medicine Facebook group. This group was established quite some time ago, when medical schools offered acupuncture certification training exclusively for physicians.

There was considerable enthusiasm at the time. However, the initiative did not progress very far because one major question remained unanswered: Who would pay for these services? Physicians who participated in the initiative were somewhat disappointed with the outcome of this integration.

Fortunately, the group survived.

One characteristic of this group is that whenever someone posts an article, opinion, or professional observation, the author should be prepared for vigorous, although mostly constructive, criticism.

Recently, I offered my latest article for review:

To my pleasant surprise, members reacted very actively to my writing.

Before discussing the constructive criticism, which also included positive feedback, I would like to address a more fundamental question:

What does an integrative medicine approach actually mean?

Understanding the Meaning of Integrative Medicine

Integrative medicine is an approach to healthcare that combines conventional medical treatments, such as medications and surgery, with methods, such as acupuncture and massage, to address the whole person—mind, body, and spirit.

The bottom line is the combined methodological approach.

Even within medicine itself, research findings from one specialty cannot automatically be applied to another. For example, research data in gynecology may not directly translate into clinical applications in orthopedic surgery, neurology, ENT, and other specialties.

Similarly, the science behind massage represents a specific scientific and clinical discipline focused on the application of massage.

Its methodology, clinical applications, and research questions must be understood within the context of massage practice.

My Position: Clinical Application, Scientific Foundations, and Open Discussion

One of my general replies to the discussion was:

"Although I believe I possess a solid academic understanding and practice science-based procedures, I am also open to scientific discussion. Even if someone were to demonstrate that my theoretical interpretation is incorrect, I would continue applying protocols that have repeatedly demonstrated positive clinical outcomes, while reconsidering and refining my theoretical explanation.