Integrative Health and the Management of Pain at the End of Life

Abstract

The blend of complementary alternative medicine (CAM) and traditional Western medicine is known as integrative medicine (IM). It is based on the mind, body, spirit, and community and supports the concept that healing is always possible, even when curing is not; IM is relationship-centered care requiring the active participation of the patient to become more self-aware, to think about their experiences of health and illness, to develop and maintain caring relationships, and to commit to effective communication with the healing team. An integrated treatment strategy to meet the integrative health care needs of the individual is then based on individual CAM therapies. The management of patients at the end of life is often managed through palliative care and acknowledges that dying is a normal part of life. Each healing journey of the mind, the body, and the spirit enriches the individual, the family, and the healing team.

Keywords

complementary alternative medicine (CAM)integrative medicine (IM)integrative health (IH)palliative care

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