What is an integrative medicine?

Integrative Medicine (IM) is a form of medical therapy that combines practices and treatments from alternative medicine with conventional medicine. It is healing-oriented medicine that takes account of the whole person, including all aspects of lifestyle. It emphasizes the therapeutic relationship between practitioner and patient, is informed by evidence, and makes use of all appropriate therapies including acupuncture and chiropractic.

What is an example of integrative medicine?

For example, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies such as acupuncture, yoga, meditation, and guided imagery are increasingly integrated into today's conventional treatment of heart disease, cancer, and other serious illnesses—and scientific evidence supports this approach to health and healing.

Article: Using Integrative Medicine in Pain Management: An Evaluation of Current Evidence
Click here for abstract; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29189365

Abstract
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies are frequently used to treat acute and chronic pain conditions such as headaches, back, and joint pain. OTC and pharmacologic approaches are the most often used approach for alleviating acute and chronic pain. As a result, there has been increased interest in integrative medicine / CAM strategies to help manage pain and to reduce reliance on OTC and prescription meds for pain management. This article offers a brief critical review of integrative medical / CAM therapies used to treat chronic pain, including nutritional supplements, yoga, relaxation, tai chi, massage, spinal manipulation, and acupuncture.