Pediatrics

Pediatrics is concerned with the health of infants, children and adolescents, their growth and development, and their opportunity to achieve full potential as adults.

Integrative Pediatrics

Integrative pediatrics follows a holistic philosophy, recognizing the interaction between mind, body and spirit, just as Integrative Medicine embraces the combination of complementary and alternative modalities with the best of conventional care resulting in a more holistic approach to caring for people. 

Integrative pediatricians believe in the power of utilizing natural proven therapies, when safe and effective, advocating support of innate ability to heal rather than suppression.  There is a focus on wellness and prevention incorporating nutrition, life style modification, supplements, mind-body medicine and other modalities.  Treatment plans are individualized as no two children or conditions are alike.  And we value the relationship between the healer, the patient and the family.  We care for whole families and even communities realizing that children are vitally linked to this larger population.  In general, Integrative pediatrics is good pediatric care.

Research in Integrative Pediatrics

There are fewer research trials for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) use in children and often Integrative Pediatricians rely on adult literature to support recommendations.  The NIH’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is supportive of research, resulting in publications on such subjects as cranial osteopathy for otitis media, guided imagery for abdominal pain and acupuncture for spasticity in cerebral palsy. 

The use of pediatric CAM interventions is increasing, with documented use in 30-50% of well children and 50-90% of special needs or seriously ill children.   More research is needed in the pediatric population – particularly on supplements, mind-body approaches and also whether the cost and benefit of improving health through these channels has long term economic and health consequences.

Therapies Used In Integrative Pediatrics

According to the evidence, the most commonly used therapies (after prayer) varies by age.  In infants, the most common therapy is massage. In teenagers, it is supplements.  Over a third of pediatric pain centers use acupuncture, and even more use hypnosis/guided imagery and biofeedback.  Other common CAM therapies include nutrition, exercise, manipulation, and homeopathy.

Conditions for which Integrative pediatric care may be helpful

• ADD and ADHD and other behavioral problems of childhood
  
• Autism
  
• Allergies
  
• Asthma
  
• Autoimmune disease – Arthritis, Lupus, Fibromyalgia
  
• Cancer – adjunctive methods to support health and limit adverse effects of conventional treatment
  
• Chronic Pain Syndromes – Headaches, Abdominal Pain
  
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  
• Developmental Disabilities
  
• Diabetes
  
• Gastrointestinal Conditions – IBS, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Chronic Diarrhea
  
• Obesity

What To Expect In A Consultation

Please recognize that this is not a primary care pediatric practice.  Your child must maintain a relationship with his or her primary provider, either a pediatrician or family physician.  If you are coming as a referral from another provider, please let the office and the provider know, so a letter can be sent to the referring physician.  If there is no referral, but you wish a consultation letter to be sent, please notify the provider during your visit.  We welcome ongoing communication with other providers, including CAM providers.  Please request copies of relevant medical history, labs, radiology reports be sent prior to the appointment.  Plan to spend 60-90 minutes in the office on the first visit and 30-60 minutes for follow-up appointment.  A follow-up schedule will be discussed in the initial visit and can range from no follow-up to monthly periodic visits depending on conditions, needs and desires of the provider, patient and family.

Integrative Pediatrics Links

www.integrativepeds.org -  Integrative Pediatric Council.  Lots of great resource links.

www.hpakids.org – Holistic Pediatrics Association.  Both for parents and practitioners, this site offers newsletters and other resources.

www.thewholechild.us