Treating the whole person: integrative medicine in the Asheville area

Posted on by Susan Foster
(Photo by Emily Nichols)

Holistic medicine aims to treat the whole person, not just diseases and their symptoms. There is a growing awareness among practitioners — both traditional and alternative — that healing can be brought about or accelerated by involving all aspects of a person — physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.

In back-to-back Wellness issues, Xpress looks at two different aspects of holistic healing: integrative care and the mind-body connection. Both have evolved as part of an increasing emphasis on caring for the whole person.

This Jan. 28 issue focuses on the trend toward integrating so-called alternative, or complementary, therapies into more traditional treatment regimens. Our cover story examines the multiplicity of complementary therapies now incorporated into conventional treatment strategies at area hospitals. Other stories explore approaches to integrative care by practitioners at local clinics and health centers; present integrative case studies; and note options for insurance coverage for integrative care.

We also report the results of our wellness survey, which underscore the broad support for integrative care in the Asheville medical community, as well as the wide range of complementary therapies utilized by integrative providers. We highlight some of the survey comments.

Asheville has long been a health care mecca, and it continues to be known for the quality and variety of its health care approaches–both traditional and alternative. The trend toward uniting the two in integrative medicine gives Asheville yet another approach, making it an even healthier place to live. — Susan Foster, Wellness editor

Look online for these stories from the Jan. 28 Wellness issue:

“Local Providers Increase Use of Nontraditional Treatments,” by Lea McLellan

“The Value of Patient-Centered Care,” by Susan Foster

“Local Practitioners Explore Medicine’s New Frontiers,” by Nicki Glasser

“How Whole-Person Care Helped Two Patients,” by Nicki Glasser

“What are the Health Insurance Options for Mind, Body and Spirit,” by Nicki Glasser

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About Susan Foster
Freelance writer passionate about wellness and spirituality, clinical psychologist, avid hiker and reader. Follow me @susanjfosterphd
View all posts by Susan Foster →

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