Integrated Health: New Fad or Healthcare Revolution?
Integrated health has become this new buzz word that is circulating the healthcare system but it’s not a new phenomenon.
The word “Integrated Health” has been around for 20+ years and has been evolving as we evolve to cater for the needs of the population.
We are going to delve into what integrated health is, how it differs from the “norm” of healthcare and how it helps in regards to the skin, the gut, hormones and overall wellness.
The Essence of Integration
Integrated health is treating the body as a whole and not just in sections. This means that every aspect of your internal and external body is assessed allowing for the practitioner to understand how one part of the body is affecting the other leading to better control of illnesses and outcomes.
Every aspect of your internal and external body is assessed
Making the Change
By looking at the body as a whole, practitioners can plan and deliver care that will treat the cause of the ailment rather than the symptoms.
For example: Giving steroids to a patient suffering with eczema will initially clear the eczema up but will not eradicate it.
This is where integrated health comes in.
It combines the best of western medicine with evidence-based complementary medicine and patient education allowing for you to understand your own body and how its being affected.
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It looks at your body from a:
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Microscopic level
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Visual level
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Symptomatic level
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Personal level
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These combined treatments provide the highest level of safe and effective, long term health.
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Integrated Health is also referred to as:
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Integrated care
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Functional medicine
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Coordinated care
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Comprehensive care
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Seamless care
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Chronic disease management
This approach to health not only benefits you, as a whole, but it also empowers and enables you to make better life choices.
Integrative Health in Australia
Integrated health in Australia, is slowly but surely becoming the new ‘normal’.
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Floras Lounge is a member of the Australasian Integrative Medicine Association (AIMA) is the peak medical body representing the doctors and other health care professionals who practice integrative medicine. Their vision, as well as ours, is to lead and facilitate the development of integrative medical care as being core to the health and wellbeing of individuals and society as a whole.
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For more information, please visit https://www.aima.net.au/
Integrated health ALWAYS comes down to gut health.
Whether you have mild to severe symptoms of gut related disorders, integrated health is the way to go!
Gut health symptoms that can be treated include:
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Abdominal discomfort
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Toileting issues
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Gas
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Bloating
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Fatigue post eating
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Food allergies
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Food intolerances
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And many more……..
* There is no magic pill *
If there was I would be a billionaire!
Floras Lounge treatment program starts back at the beginning. We look at everything (and I mean everything!) and we use education and slow, easy goals to help change your lifestyle and way of thinking without the overloading of information.
Keeping the Balance
As hormones affect all aspects of your body, they play a vital part in maintaining your bodies internal balance.
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Integrated health can not only determine cause and effect of hormonal imbalances it can also allow you to take control these imbalances, keeping the rest of your body functioning to it full capacity.
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Hormonal concerns integrated health can treat include:
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Endometriosis
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Poly-Cystic Ovary Disease (PCOD)
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Fertility issues
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Menopause
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Thyroid disorders
It’s not what your taking out it’s what your adding in
​​Is our motto, which enables you to look at your journey in a more positive light.
The Key to Beauty
By integrating health with skin we are allowing you to understand your bodies inner workings and why your skin is being affected.
Many causes of skin conditions are internally driven and no matter how much product or medication is applied to the skin, the cause will not be eradicated.
Some of these skin conditions include:
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Acne
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Dermatitis (including eczema)
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Psoriasis
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Rosacea
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Floras Lounge aims to educate and support you through this journey with our treatment programs, which are personalised, informative and give you all the guidance and assistance you require to achieve your best possible outcome.
For dermatology treatment programs we use both internal and external modalities.
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As you can see integrated health is a vital part of healthcare assessing every aspect of your internal and external body.
With the combination of western medicine and complementary therapies along with patient education you are able to understand your own body.
Integrated health always comes down to maintaining balance in your gut and many causes of skin conditions are internally driven.
Floras Lounge aims to educate, guide and support you on your journey whether this be skin related, gut health concerns or hormone driven conditions. With correct education, guided treatments and full support you can live your healthiest, happiest life!
Remember, its not just the outside that counts
Lyndsay xx
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lyndsay Brookes
Registered Nurse
Integrated Health Practitioner
Cosmetic Nurse
Lyndsay is a Senior Registered Nurse of 17 years working in a range of specialities including dermatology, colorectal, gastroenterology, plastics, orthopaedics, child and family health, urology, acute surgical, breast surgery and major trauma. In 2020 she changed her career path and gained a post graduate in dermal therapies, cosmetic injectables and integrated health and dermatology.
Using her advanced background in colorectal, gastroenterology, plastic and reconstruction surgery and dermatology, Lyndsay is able to deliver internal health advice and treatments to those with reoccurring skin conditions as well assisting Patients with specific skin and gut needs to achieve their desired outcomes.
Lyndsay also has several gut health and nutrition certificates and never stops learning and integrating advanced knowledge into her consultations, treatment advice and treatment plans.