Why Integrative Medicine?

by | May 17, 2024 | Integrative Health & Wellness

Smiling female nurse practitioner speaking with a patient in a calm, welcoming office—symbolizing integrative, whole-person care.

Why Integrative Medicine Matters: A Clinician’s Perspective

This is a great question—and one I have been meaning to address for some time. I hesitated to write this because I wasn’t sure I could fully convey the importance of having a clinician who thinks integratively. But today, I am giving it my best effort.

My Journey as a Clinician

I am a conventionally trained clinician with:

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

  • Master of Science in Nursing and Public Health (MSN, MPH)

  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

I entered nursing because I wanted to help people improve their health—I hated seeing people suffer. Over my 24 years in nursing, however, I began to feel disillusioned with the medical field.

Where Conventional Medicine Excels—and Where It Falls Short

When it comes to acute medical issues like heart attacks, strokes, or trauma, Western medicine performs exceptionally well.

But for chronic disease management—diabetes, hypertension, autoimmune conditions—it often becomes a revolving door of:

  • Pills

  • Doctors’ visits

  • Diagnostic tests

Despite billions of dollars spent annually on medications, hospitalizations, and testing, health outcomes are not improving—and in many cases are getting worse.

What’s Missing in Conventional Care

Western medicine focuses heavily on treatment rather than prevention. Rarely do patients get asked about:

  • Diet and nutrition

  • Sleep quality

  • Subtle lab changes (like creeping fasting glucose)

  • Vitamin D status (despite widespread deficiency, even in sunny states)

With my own health struggles—including painful menstrual cycles, fibroids, and ultimately a hysterectomy—no one ever discussed dietary changes, supplements, or hormonal testing. Instead, I was offered oral contraceptives, procedures, and eventually surgery.

Why I Chose Integrative Medicine

Integrative medicine sees patients as whole people, not just numbers. It seeks to identify and address the root cause of health issues, starting with:

  • Nutrition

  • Exercise and movement

  • Sleep quality

  • Stress management

  • Toxin exposure

This approach combines allopathic medicine (prescriptions and conventional treatments) with functional and holistic care.

How I Care for My Patients

As an integrative nurse practitioner, I can:

  • Prescribe medications like metformin (for diabetes) or amlodipine (for hypertension) when appropriate

  • Offer natural options like berberine (for blood sugar) or nitric oxide support (for blood pressure)

  • Order advanced lab tests to screen for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or evaluate gut health

  • Develop comprehensive plans including dietary changes, intermittent fasting, and hydration strategies

This combination allows me to help patients improve their symptoms, reduce medications where possible, and feel better overall.

The Reward of Practicing Integrative Care

The road has been challenging, but I truly enjoy being a nurse practitioner and helping my patients experience better health and improved quality of life.

If you are looking for an integrative clinician who treats you like a person and not just a number, call or text 813-669-3084.

Nursing your journey to lasting wellness.

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