There has been an ever-increasing utilization of integrative medicine (IM) by patients to manage their health. Dissatisfaction with depersonalized care is one of the significant factors causing patients to seek alternative means to meet their health care needs. These patients are often motivated to find care that coincides with their beliefs, values, and expectations. Medical health care systems must understand these concerns and work collaboratively with patients to achieve optimal outcomes and satisfaction levels. Self-care programs, when part of holistic treatment plans, are well-suited to address these concerns.
Objective:
This article discusses the concepts of self-care, and active and passive participation, as well as briefly examining some IM modalities that can be used as self-care techniques.
Methods:
This overview describes the history, concepts, uses, and relevant research of several IM modalities and their applications as self-care techniques. Recommendations for educational and clinical “next steps” are provided.
Conclusions:
IM self-care techniques can be incorporated effectively and safely into holistic treatment plans for North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Service members. Additional education, international collaboration, and research are necessary to improve the use of these techniques throughout the medical health care system.
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