Integrative Medicine

Kenneth A. Bock, MD, FAAFP, FACN

Definition of Integrative Medicine
Integrative Medicine is the practice of medicine that emphasizes patient-centered care and the importance of the physician/practitioner – patient relationship.  Its focus is on the whole person, rather than segmented areas, and makes use of a multitude of appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, healthcare professionals and healing disciplines to achieve recovery from illness and restoration of optimal health.  However, it is not just a smorgasbord of mixing and matching “alternative” medicine modalities, but rather a mindset that approaches the complex health problems of patients in a significantly different way.  It is not satisfied with just the amelioration of symptoms, but rather attempts to get to root causes by looking at underlying contributing factors, including, but not limited to, nutritional deficiencies/excesses, biochemical/metabolic imbalances, allergies/sensitivities, toxic overload/burden (including heavy metals and chemicals), and psychosocial stress.  It considers genomics, patient past history, family history, antecedent triggers and the concept of imbalance in multiple systems, including neuroendocrine, immune and psychological areas.  It employs an individualized, multifactorial treatment approach to deal with the challenges of, and the pathways to, rebalancing these systems, and thereby restore health and vitality.      
                                                                                                            Kenneth A. Bock, MD
                                                                                                            Steven J. Bock MD

Integrative Medicine is an approach to medical treatment that blends conventional medical treatments along with alternative modalities, including dietary modifications, nutritional supplementation, homeopathic remedies, acupuncture, pulse biofeedback therapy, detoxification and chelation therapy, to restore and maintain the balance of good health.   At Rhinebeck Health Center we feel that there are four key concepts that define this type of medicine.

1. Every individual is unique and has a combination of genetics, lifestyle and environmental factors (toxins, infections, stressors, allergens) that affect them.
2. Health is all about balance, and our job is to help restore that balance, allowing healing to then take place.
3. The practitioner should use the most comprehensive therapeutic regimen possible to achieve the desired effect, taking into account safety, and efficacy considerations.  This may consist of neutraceutical, herbal, homeopathic or pharmaceutical interventions, as necessary.
4. The entire person should be addressed in order to achieve the best results.  This requires thoughtful listening and an ongoing collaboration between doctor and patient.

Integrative healing is based on an ongoing practitioner-patient partnership, and it demands a lot from both the practitioner and the individual patient.  It is a series of questions and explorations that can lead to a more profound understanding of what causes imbalance in the body, which can in turn lead to poor health. 

“Every patient is a kind of mystery novel waiting for you to figure it out.”
Steven J. Bock, MD

The clues to solving these mysteries come from a detailed history of the patient’s life and symptoms, a comprehensive examination and specialized testing to look for areas of imbalance.

“To paraphrase Lao Tzu, the healing journey of each of our patients begins with the first step.”
Kenneth A. Bock, MD, FAAFP, FACN

The path to wellness may not always be simple, but Integrative Medicine offers us a powerful roadmap that recognizes the intricacies of human physiology.

“Restoring health requires a system that reflects our body’s complexity and respects its ability to heal.”
Michael Compain, MD