What is Integrative Medicine?

Hibu Websites • February 1, 2022

Many of us feel like we're not getting what we need to out of conventional medicine, at least not in full. Conventional medicine may satisfy some of your needs, but not all of them. According to the CDC, while about 84.9% of all adults have seen a doctor or other healthcare professionals, lots of people report feeling unheard by their doctors or dissatisfied in some way. Some of them have found a solution not simply by finding a better conventional doctor, but also by exploring integrative medicine. Integrative medicine can be a bit confusing to navigate. For that reason, let's explore exactly what integrative medicine covers, and what it can do for you.


What Is Integrative Medicine?


There are two main types of medicine. One is defined as conventional medicine, which is traditional western medicine. It includes everything from surgery to traditional medications, as well as typically prescribed lifestyle changes (like weight loss). Then there is complementary medicine, which is usually non-western, including meditation, yoga, chiropractic therapy, and beyond. While some conventional doctors do not agree with complementary medicine, many believe in the healing properties of alternative treatments, as long as they are used alongside conventional treatments. That's where we come to
integrative medicine.


When a provider offers integrative medicine, they are essentially integrating complementary medicine into conventional medicine. This can come from a single conventional doctor who also offers complementary techniques; or this could come from a team of healthcare providers, some of which practice conventional medicine while others practice complementary medicine. You may see a conventional doctor for surgery or conventional medication, and be referred to an acupuncturist for your other needs.


Who Uses Integrative Medicine?


The great thing about integrative medicine is that you can get what you need out of conventional medicine, while still exploring other options seen in complementary medicine. People seek integrative medicine for a variety of different ailments, including asthma, diabetes, chronic pain, nausea, sciatica, and much more.


Mental illnesses are also often treated with integrative medicine. You may seek a conventional doctor to prescribe antidepressants, but also seek a massage therapist to help you through the aches and pains that come with your depression. When seeking an integrative approach, you don't have to choose between one or the other.


You'll want to make sure that you choose an individual or team with the right approach, but they do exist!

By 7071424396 October 22, 2025
At Hitchcock Family Pharmacy, we’ve chosen to do things differently. We don’t accept insurance. Not because we can’t, but because we believe there’s a better way. And the result? Patients get clear prices, faster service, and real human care. In many cases, they even pay less than they would with insurance. Here’s why skipping the middlemen puts you back in control of your health. ⸻ Isn’t insurance supposed to make prescriptions cheaper? That’s the idea. But in reality, insurance often adds layers of cost and complexity that hurt everyone involved. When you fill a prescription at a typical chain pharmacy using insurance, a company called a Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) gets involved. They decide which medications are “covered,” how much the pharmacy gets reimbursed, and what you end up paying. They can delay or deny medications your doctor recommends. And the final price at the register is often a surprise, even to the pharmacist. So even if your medication is technically covered, you might still overpay or walk away empty-handed. ⸻ Our approach is simpler. And it works. We work directly with patients and their doctors. No PBMs. No insurance games. This means: • You see the full price up front, with no surprises • If your doctor writes a prescription, we fill it • You’re not stuck waiting on prior authorizations • You can pick up meds same day or have them delivered • You’ll talk to real people who know your name Our pricing is often equal to or better than what you’d pay using a discount card like GoodRx. And we don’t play bait-and-switch pricing games. ⸻ What this means for doctors too We’re proud to support direct primary care practices, but we also work with traditional insurance-based clinics every day. Doctors are tired of wasting time on pharmacy red tape. Prior auth forms, phone tag, delays… It’s exhausting. When you send a prescription to Hitchcock Pharmacy, we get it filled quickly. We’re easy to reach, easy to work with, and always focused on what’s best for the patient. You don’t have to change your practice model to work with us. We’re just here to make your life easier. ⸻ Healthcare should be personal. So should your pharmacy. We didn’t build our pharmacy to fit into a broken system. We built it to fix what’s broken. No corporate call centers. No surprise charges. No runaround. Just fast, personal, affordable care from people who truly want to help. ⸻ Ready to try something different? 📬 Transfer your prescriptions today 📱 Set up refills or home delivery 🏥 Clinic or physician? Reach out and let’s work together
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