If we are like a cross-section of America, many Central Texans are participating in integrative medicine, although most probably don't know what it is. Integrative medicine is the combination of conventional complementary and alternative approaches to address the biological, psychological, social and spiritual aspects of health. The Seton Family of Hospitals has been involved in providing care for the whole person: body, mind and spirit for many years.

Now through the sponsorship of a unique new collection of services, Seton Medical Center Williamson has introduced GoodHealth Commons, a centralized location and resource for those who want to broaden their options for health care and optimize wellness and self-management skills.

"We are bringing Eastern and Western traditional medical modalities under the same roof," says GoodHealth Commons Manager AJ Wagner. "Western medicine has always focused on curing disease and we have done it very well. Eastern medicine focuses on prevention of diseases through wellness and living a stress-free life. It's actually an ancient philosophy with far more history."

"Our goal is to integrate with the hospital and move into future research. This is not a new concept, just new to this area. Some other highly respected organizations are pursuing the same goals, including Duke University Health System, Stanford University Medical Center and MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston."

There is growing interest across the nation in these types of services. A nationwide government survey released in 2002 estimated that 36 percent of American adults use some for of complementary or alternative medicine, jumping to 62 percent if megavitamin therapy and prayer specifically for health reasons are included in the definition. The study prompted the National Institutes of Health to establish the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) to oversee objective research and to disseminate information.

Integrative Medicine Explained

Integrative medicine is the combination of conventional, complementary, and alternative approaches that support traditional medical care and address the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of health. It emphasizes respect for the human capacity for healing; the importance of the relationship between practitioner and patient; the value of patient education; a collaborative approach to patient care among all physicians and practitioners; and the practice of conventional, complementary, and alternative health care that is evidence-based.

As part of its commitment to improving the patient experience and providing a whole-person approach to care, Seton Medical Center Williamson is collaborating with several community partners to open the first integrative medicine center in Central Texas. GoodHealth Commons, located adjacent to the medical center in Seton Williamson Medical Plaza I, is a one-stop resource for individuals looking to broaden their options for health care, improve wellness, and learn vital self-management skills.

AJ has some examples. "Patients recently diagnosed with diabetes may sign up for classes with the Seton Diabetes Education program where they will learn how to eat healthily, monitor their blood sugar and understand the relationship between carbohydrates and their disease. Once they have the foundation, they can sign up for cooking classes with the Natural Epicurean Academy of Culinary Arts to implement what they have learned in the kitchen. It's a way of closing the gaps."

"There are studies coming out that indicate that if a patient has a massage before surgery, the post-operative results are dramatically different, including reduced time in the hospital and less pain.

Good Health Commons Services

The 7,000-plus-square-foot center includes a state-of-the-art teaching kitchen complete with commercial-quality Viking appliances, a health resource library and a retail store that offers items to complement the services provided at GoodHealth Commons. The facility is open to all members of the community and not just hospital patients.

Services available at GoodHealth Commons include:

• Acupuncture
• Book discussion lunches
• Diabetes self-management education
• Gestational diabetes classes
• Massage therapy
• Natural foods selection, preparation and cooking
• Pre-diabetes classes
• Qigong, Tai Chi, yoga and movement classes
• Restorative classes
• Smoking cessation programs
• Spirituality and leadership Classes
• Stress and anxiety management
• Weight management classes
• Womens health education and management

"GoodHealth Commons is an extension of the continuum of care provided by Seton Medical Center Williamson," adds AJ. "Each practitioner specializes in specific approaches to health and can work together with physicians and other practitioners to create a personalized program for patients or anyone in the community seeking these services."

Details on practitioners and classes are available on the GoodHealth Commons web site.