In response to the rise in chronic medical conditions--and the growing
use of complementary and alternative therapies--among pediatric and
adolescent patients, healthcare practitioners are taking a serious look
at pediatric integrative medicine (PIM). Although it dovetails with
current concepts of preventive medicine, wellness, and patient control,
PIM is still an evolving field with its own particular challenges and
opportunities.
A Guide to Integrative Pediatrics for the Healthcare Professional
explores its subject through the more familiar lens of integrative
medicine. This concise comprehensive resource synthesizes the knowledge
base on a range of therapies commonly associated with PIM, such as
acupuncture, herbal remedies, clinical hypnosis, yoga, homeopathy, and
therapeutic massage, with findings on their effective use with children.
Case examples illustrate uses of PIM modalities with allopathic medicine
to treat young patients at various developmental stages, and the authors
pinpoint safety and appropriateness concerns, answer licensing
questions, and note clinical areas requiring further study. The
wide-ranging information contained here will help support interest in
PIM at the research, training, and practice levels. Features of the
Guide:
- An introduction to basic concepts in PIM.
- Trends in IM/PIM education.
- A survey of complementary and alternative therapies, including
biologically-based, body-based, mind-body, energy-based, and
alternative whole systems.
- Current evidence for IM in treating common pediatric conditions.
- The future of integrative pediatrics.
- References and links for further information.
Offering a front-row seat to the continued expansion of the field, A
Guide to Integrative Pediatrics for the Healthcare Professional is a
salient text not only for pediatricians but for all healthcare
practitioners tasked with improving children's wellbeing.
