Integrative Oncology

Alternative medicine is defined as a treatment modality used in place of conventional medicine. By definition, alternative treatments are not integrated as part of conventional medicine. Complementary medicine, however, makes use of non-conventional treatment modalities, some of which have known efficacy, in combination with conventional treatment. Both alternative and complementary medicine focus on treatment modalities. Integrative medicine, on the other hand, is not about specific non-conventional treatment modalities, but is an approach to treating patients. It strives to integrate the best of complementary and conventional modalities using a multidisciplinary approach through integrative services. Complementary therapies typically used include mind-body approaches such as meditation, guided imagery, music, art, other expressive arts and other behavioral techniques; energy based therapies that seek to affect proposed bio-energy fields, whose existence is not yet experimentally proven, that surround and penetrate the human body. These can be individual therapies done through self-practice (e.g.Yoga, Tai Chi, or internal Qigong), manipulation of electromagnetic waves through the use of magnets, or through the use of the energy of individual practitioners (e.