From the desk of Christine L. Sardo, M.P.H., R.D. and Gary Frost, Ph.D.
Integrative health is a people-centered approach to disease prevention and health promotion. Integrative health focuses on prevention and treatment of poor health through a comprehensive focus on the connections between mental health, spiritual health, and physical health.
In integrative health, all factors that can impact human health are initially considered. To help individuals reach their optimal health, integrative health approaches draw on a broad range of health disciplines, as well as what are at times referred to as complementary and alternative health approaches. Importantly, we apply integrative health in a rigorously evidence-based method that recognizes traditional and new healing practices that have been proven effective by the best science available.
A fundamental principle of integrative health is that the complex balance that exists between healthy nutrition, regular physical activity, having a sense of purpose, and taking small steps to achieve positive behavior change will lead to healthy outcomes for individuals, communities, nations, and the world at large.
One of the basic tenets of integrative health is that individuals and communities have the abilities to control their own health outcomes. Thus, the significant power to achieve a positive health transformation is possible when health and wellness professionals, individuals, and communities collaborate with a shared goal to improve health through the mind-body-spirit connection. A second tenet of integrative health is understanding and appreciation that the relationship between health and wellness professionals and patients/participants is a major contributor to health outcomes (Meizes, Rakel & Niemiec, 2009).
In collaborating with a wide range of communities, Canyon Ranch Institute continues the centuries old integrative health approach that continues through both academic study and real-life practice in numerous communities and countries around the world.
Our commitment to integrative health has led to the development of multidisciplinary teams of health and wellness practitioners. This has been demonstrated in the Canyon Ranch Institute Life Enhancement Program (CRI LEP). The teams of CRI LEP professionals who partner with communities to improve health and wellness include physicians, nutritionists, physical therapists, and behavior and spirituality professionals, among others. These professionals collaborate to provide a cohesive and comprehensive prevention curriculum that engages and empowers individuals and communities to advance health literacy and support positive health behavior changes. For example, the physician reinforces the nutrition message while the social worker reinforces the importance of spirituality and having a sense of purpose. That shared and overlapping responsibility defines the core approach to integrative health that we practice at the Canyon Ranch Institute and is perhaps most directly manifested in the CRI Life Enhancement Program.
Cornerstones of Integrative Health
The cornerstones of integrative health are integrative medicine, nutrition, physical activity, and spirit (also called sense of purpose).
Integrative Medicine
Integrative medicine blends conventional (or allopathic) medicine that focuses on treating symptoms after they develop with complementary evidence-based approaches and therapies that focus on prevention and the whole person.
Nutrition
Centuries ago, Hippocrates developed the adage, “Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food” and that remains true today. Scientists continue to investigate the physiologic effects that food has on our bodies.
Physical Activity
Two types of physical activity are recommended for good health: aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities. Some of the key risk factors for disease can be reduced or reversed through physical activity and fitness.
Sense of Purpose/Spirituality
It is well documented that having a sense of purpose positively impacts overall health and wellbeing.
Christine L. Sardo, M.P.H., R.D.
Partnerships and Policies Director, Canyon Ranch Institute
Gary Frost, Ph.D.
Senior Advisor for Planning and Policies, Canyon Ranch Institute
Selected Integrative Health Publications and Presentations by Canyon Ranch Institute Team Members
LIVESTRONG.com. Sardo, C. Multiple contributions (Most recent posting, September 2008)
Christine L. Sardo, M.P.H., R.D., has contributed numerous articles and blogs to this health and lifestyle focused website. Christine’s research and practice focus on how better nutrition can lead to increased cancer prevention and survivorship. Her work is built on the principles of integrative health. Read Christine’s contributions at LIVESTRONG.com
National Call to Action on Cancer Prevention and Survivorship. Cabe, J. & Springer, S. (Eds.). Tucson, AZ: Excel Print Communications. Available at: www.NCTAcancer.org (July 2008)
Canyon Ranch Institute, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, and the four most recent U.S. Surgeons General launched the National Call to Action on Cancer Prevention and Survivorship in Washington, D.C. Numerous collaborators were involved in developing the National Call to Action and many more have since joined the National Call to Action community. Read the National Call to Action
The Surgeon General’s Call To Action To Improve the Health and Wellness of Persons with Disabilities. US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General. (July 2005)
While they served in the Office of the Surgeon General, CRI President Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., FACS, 17th U.S. Surgeon General (2002-2006) and CRI Executive Director Jennifer Cabe, M.A. collaboratively developed The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Improve the Health and Wellness of Persons with Disabilities along with numerous co-authors and partners. This Call to Action is built on the foundation of an integrative approach to health of persons with disabilities and the communities and world in which they live. Read the Surgeon General’s Call to Action
Selected Integrative Health Publications
Improving Health by Taking it Personally. Snyderman, R. & Dinan, M. 303(4) JAMA. (2010)
In this recent commentary in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Snyderman and Dinan argue that effective health care must be personalized and anticipate poor health outcomes before they occur, support patients in a coordinated, integrative fashion, and that reimbursement methods must evolve to include prevention and incentives for effective care. View Abstract
Integrative Medicine and Patient-Centered Care. Meizes, V., Rakel, D., Niemiec, C. Commissioned for the IOM Summit on Integrative Medicine and the Health of the Public, (February, 2009)
This article provides a thorough overview of the key principles of integrative medicine and the significance of this approach to effectively and optimally meet the needs of the patient. It further explains the importance of the patient-centered approach and describes the necessary health care teams needed to fully integrate this approach in the health care system. Read More
A Pilot Study Comparing the Effects of Mindfulness-Based and Cognitive-Behavioral Stress Reduction. Smith, B., Shelley, B., Dalen, J., Wiggins, K., Tooley, E. & Bernard, J. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2008:14(3):251-258
This study provides evidence for and compares the effectiveness of mindfulness-based and cognitive-behavioral based stress reduction techniques for reducing measures of perceived stress, depression, and pain.
The Canyon Ranch Guide to Living Younger Longer. Canyon Ranch Staff & Sherman, L. Simon & Schuster. (2001) Drawing from Canyon Ranch’s 30 years of experience in integrative medicine, physical activity, nutrition, and sense of purpose/spirituality, this book provides an overview of the importance of wellness for optimal health and healthy aging.
The Four Pillars of Healing: How the New Integrated Medicine - the Best of Conventional and Alternative Approaches - Can Cure You. Galland, L. Random House. (1997)
The book identifies four pillars of healing which are: 1) building healthy relationships (community is the most powerful healing force), 2) creating a customized prescription for diet, rest, and exercise, 3) purifying your external environment, and 4) detoxifying your internal environment to help your body protect and cleanse itself. Through a number of case studies, the author illuminates how to implement the four pillars of healing to overcome illness and achieve optimal health.
