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What would happen if you saw your doctor for your annual check-up and your doctor asked the following questions –

1. What are your health goals?
2. Why do get up in the morning?

How would you answer those two questions?

I was in San Diego, California this past week attending the Academy of Integrative and Holistic Medicine (AIHM) conference. The Academy of which I am a member comprises of a global community of professionals and health seekers. We had physicians, dentists, nurses, Ayurveda practitioners, acupuncturists, yoga practitioners, massage therapists, pharmacists to name a few.  I am proud to be a member of the AIHM and to be a Diplomate of the American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine.

Integrative holistic medicine is the art and science of healing that addresses the care of the whole person: body, mind, and spirit. The emphasis is on prevention as the best intervention with a focus on promoting health, preventing illness and raising awareness of disease. When it is necessary to heal, the focus is on natural, less invasive methods before costly and invasive methods. There is an openness to integrate conventional (medicine, surgery, etc.) and complementary methods (acupuncture, yoga, herbs, etc.) for treatment and prevention.

One of the speakers suggested along with asking why a patient was coming to the office, health care providers should also be asking the above two questions.  If a person had particular goals then the job of the health care provider was to work with the person in achieving their goals (partnership). You are more likely to achieve your goals if you have a reason to wake up in the morning – your passion.  The speaker gave an example of a woman who was obese and taking several medications for blood pressure and diabetes. She was passionate about the outdoors and her dream was to climb a mountain in California. She changed her diet to an anti-inflammatory diet. She stopped all processed food. She increased her intake of vegetables and fruits. She drank more water. She started exercising. She changed her lifestyle to get in shape to prepare for the climb. After two years, she sent a picture with her on top of the mountain. She had lost a lot of weight and was no longer taking any medication.

And so I am asking you –

1. What are your health goals?
2. Why do you get up in the morning?

To learn more about integrative approaches to common medical conditions, please visit the University of Wisconsin Integrative Medicine Program.