Holistic Medicine

2. According to the American Holistic Medical According to the American Holistic Medical Association (AHMA), “Holistic medicine is the art and Association (AHMA), “Holistic medicine is the art and science of healing that addresses the whole person science of healing that addresses the whole person – – body, mind, and spirit. The practice of holistic body, mind, and spirit. The practice of holistic medicine, integrates conventional and alternative medicine, integrates conventional and alternative therapies to prevent and treat disease, and most therapies to prevent and treat disease, and most importantly, to promote optimal health. It includes importantly, to promote optimal health. It includes analysis of physical, nutritional, environmental, analysis of physical, nutritional, environmental, emotional, spiritual and lifestyle elements. Holistic emotional, spiritual and lifestyle elements. Holistic medicine focuses upon patient education and medicine focuses upon patient education and participation in the healing process.” participation in the healing process.” Holistic medicine, also known as functional Holistic medicine, also known as functional medicine or integrative medicine, is about the medicine or integrative medicine, is about the integration of healing systems integration of healing systems – – the merging of conventional with complementary or alternative conventional with complementary or alternative therapies therapies. . the merging of

3. The following are Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies often included in holistic medicine that The following are Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies often included in holistic medicine that Merge Medical Center offers in the Charleston area Merge Medical Center offers in the Charleston area: :  Acupuncture Acupuncture  Natural Hormone Therapy Natural Hormone Therapy  Herbal Medicine Herbal Medicine  Digestive Health Digestive Health  Nutritional Consultation Nutritional Consultation  Chinese Therapeutic Massage Chinese Therapeutic Massage  Homeopathy Homeopathy  Prolotherapy Prolotherapy  Naturopathic Medicine Naturopathic Medicine  Osteopathy Osteopathy  Aromatherapy Aromatherapy  Nutraceuticals Nutraceuticals

4. Whether you are a grandparent who wants to play an active role in your grandchildren’s lives or an entrepreneur Whether you are a grandparent who wants to play an active role in your grandchildren’s lives or an entrepreneur who needs the energy to make your business a success, you know the difference between feeling sick verses who needs the energy to make your business a success, you know the difference between feeling sick verses having abundant liveliness and strength to enjoy all that you do. Often people’s lab results come back within having abundant liveliness and strength to enjoy all that you do. Often people’s lab results come back within normal ranges and yet they don’t feel well. Functional medicine practitioners assess lab results based on a much normal ranges and yet they don’t feel well. Functional medicine practitioners assess lab results based on a much narrower range referred to as an optimal range. There is a wide gap between optimal health and disease. By narrower range referred to as an optimal range. There is a wide gap between optimal health and disease. By identifying and treating issues that fall into this gap, many diseases can be prevented and people can feel great. identifying and treating issues that fall into this gap, many diseases can be prevented and people can feel great. With this regenerative medicine, the goal is always optimal health, not simply avoidance of sickness. With this regenerative medicine, the goal is always optimal health, not simply avoidance of sickness. Holistic practitioners believe each patient is unique and that wellness is more than the absence of a diagnosable Holistic practitioners believe each patient is unique and that wellness is more than the absence of a diagnosable disease in an individual. Illness is viewed as a manifestation of a dysfunction of the whole person, not as an disease in an individual. Illness is viewed as a manifestation of a dysfunction of the whole person, not as an isolated body system. When it comes to treating disease, functional medicine practitioners look for the underlying isolated body system. When it comes to treating disease, functional medicine practitioners look for the underlying cause of the condition rather than simply treating the symptoms. In addition, they help patients achieve optimal cause of the condition rather than simply treating the symptoms. In addition, they help patients achieve optimal health so patients can feel energetic, strong, happy, youthful, and free of pain and sickness. health so patients can feel energetic, strong, happy, youthful, and free of pain and sickness.

5. The role of practitioners who practice integrated medicine goes beyond physician to include coach, mentor and role model – and they use all tools at their disposal from medication to meditation. Diagnosis and treatment choices depend on the patient and include:  Specialized diagnostic testing,  Education for lifestyle changes and self-care ,  Complementary therapies such as acupuncture, therapeutic massage, and prolotherapy  Conventional medications, nutritional supplements, nutraceuticals, and herbs Healing from illness and achieving improved health through integrated medicine requires collaboration. The Healing from illness and achieving improved health through integrated medicine requires collaboration. The practitioner practitioner- -patient relationship is viewed as a partnership, which fosters patient autonomy and places a value patient relationship is viewed as a partnership, which fosters patient autonomy and places a value on the needs and insights of both parties. Patients are empowered with knowledge, support and tools to on the needs and insights of both parties. Patients are empowered with knowledge, support and tools to actively participate in their health. actively participate in their health.

6. At Merge Medical Center, we provide the following services: At Merge Medical Center, we provide the following services:  We use the most up We use the most up- -to to- -date diagnostics to gauge your health. date diagnostics to gauge your health.  We utilize nutritional supplements, herbs, acupuncture and detoxification. We utilize nutritional supplements, herbs, acupuncture and detoxification.  We simplify health by educating our patients. We explain concepts such as macronutrients, micronutrients, We simplify health by educating our patients. We explain concepts such as macronutrients, micronutrients, vitamins, minerals and food combining. Empowered with this knowledge, our patients are able to make better vitamins, minerals and food combining. Empowered with this knowledge, our patients are able to make better food choices, whether at the grocery store or at a restaurant. food choices, whether at the grocery store or at a restaurant.  We create personalized diet plans tailored to our patients’ individual goals and health needs that complement We create personalized diet plans tailored to our patients’ individual goals and health needs that complement their busy lives. their busy lives.  We provide individualized coaching on lifestyle, such as recipes and the know We provide individualized coaching on lifestyle, such as recipes and the know- -how to prepare delicious healthy meals ahead of time. meals ahead of time.  Our recommendations are not only unique for each patient but change as patients become stronger and feel Our recommendations are not only unique for each patient but change as patients become stronger and feel better. better. how to prepare delicious healthy Call Us Today and Schedule an Appointment: 843-469-1001 (Monday – Friday)