Integrative Medicine

When undergoing cancer care, many people experience physical and emotional benefits from practices that fall into the category of “integrative” medicine—sometimes called “complementary” medicine. A growing body of evidence suggests that these practices can help reduce stress and anxiety, relieve pain and nausea, improve mood, reduce treatment side effects and foster healing. Integrative medicine does not take the place of the treatment your doctor has determined is best for you. These approaches are meant to be used in addition to conventional medical treatment, and only with the knowledge and approval of your physician.

Integrative medicine techniques typically emphasize the connection between the mind and the body, recognizing that emotional, mental, social, spiritual, and behavioral factors can directly affect health. Many have been used for centuries.

At the Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center, patients have access to a range of integrative medicine services. In fact, the UConn School of Medicine is a member of the Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative Medicine, an organization that includes leading institutions nationwide. Patients are encouraged to ask their caregivers about integrative medicine services such as: