When a child has an ear infection, a dose of antibiotics is
seen as a quick, easy way to relieve symptoms and "cure" the ear infection. As
an integrative medicine provider, I see it only as a piece of the puzzle. The
goal of holistic, or integrative, medicine is to find ways to make children's
bodies stronger, so they won't get sick again, or if they do get sick, so they
can bounce back faster.
So what does that
mean?
Holistic care addresses the whole child instead of just the
infection. For example, if I see your child for an ear infection, I might ask
you questions about your child's living environment and other health
conditions, such as if there is smoke exposure in the home, if he or she
attends day care and if your child has any possible food sensitivities or
allergies. All these can factor into treatment options and
recommendations.
For an ear infection, holistic care might also mean I would
add a probiotic along with the antibiotic to help with digestive issues that
can be a side effect of treatment. Simple, low-cost natural remedies can
complement traditional medicine. Integrative medicine providers can offer
suggestions on natural, easy to find remedies that have few or no side effects,
and have helped other people in similar situations.
The mind-body
connection
The mind can have a direct impact on health and symptoms.
For example, your first-grader has far less to do with the tummy and is more
about how the mind and body are interacting. If your child is feeling nervous
about a school project or is having difficulties with classmates, this can
manifest into physical ailments.
By helping your kids understand the mind-body connection,
you can help them understand how the mind can impact their health and what they
can do about it. Something as simple as teaching your children how to use their
breathing to calm down may give them a tool to reduce the impact of stress and
its known health effects, which can benefit them their entire life.
