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The Science of Integrative Medicine  By  cover art

The Science of Integrative Medicine

By: Brent A. Bauer, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Brent A. Bauer
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Publisher's summary

In the last few decades, a wide array of practices have gained greater acceptance as forms of treatment and healing. If you've ever considered herbal supplements, meditation, acupuncture, yoga, or a change of diet to promote better health, then you're already familiar with integrative medicine.

Integrative medicine describes the addition of natural or holistic practices into the health-care paradigm to complement conventional Western medicine and promote wellness. Western medicine can accomplish incredible feats of healing, but as advanced as it is, it still doesn't have cures for everything. Relying solely on Western medicine, people often wait until they have serious health problems before seeking care - but integrative medicine includes many practices that are particularly good for preventing certain conditions and ameliorating the effects of others.

The therapies discussed here have been shown to help people reach health goals such as presurgery preparation, postsurgery recovery, and better management and reduction of chronic pain. Studies indicate that they directly benefit wellness and can help alleviate, prevent, or remedy issues such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, Alzheimer's disease, high blood pressure, stress, heart disease, menopause, and the common cold.

The Science of Integrative Medicine, produced in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic - one of the finest health institutions on the planet - provides you with 12 informative lectures on the science-based facts and historical context of commonly used integrative treatments. You'll get a foundational explanation of this diverse new field of medicine, which will give you the knowledge you need to explore these techniques and improve your wellness. Taught by Brent Bauer, MD, director of the Mayo Clinic's Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program, this course provides you with an illuminating exploration of scientifically tested integrative approaches.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2016 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2016 The Great Courses

What listeners say about The Science of Integrative Medicine

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Thank you Dr. Bauer

This was lovely. So informative. So easy to listen to. Just the right blend of science and actionable items. I'm a health coach and I completely support Dr. Bowers perspective.

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Advertisment for private Clinic

Dr. Bauer is evidently informed on the consensus of the scientific community regarding so called "alternative medicines". He is well aware of the evidence, or lack thereof, of the effectiveness of the cures that are proposed in his clinic. He never ventures to claim that there is any science based proof that integrative medicines work but only that, in some cases, some experiments suggest a possible correlation between certain non western cures and a perceived improvement of a patient's health conditions.
Most of the integrative treatments proposed are in fact easily correlated with well being. Relaxing, exercise, a healthy diet and meditation are all factors that understandably improve a person's health conditions and that is no mistery. Just as reckless drunk driving can be hazardous to your health (and that of others).
So for the most part this lecture states what should be quite obvious.
Not so when he proceeds to illustrate the supposed benefits of acupuncture and chiropractic treatments. Here he borders closely on quackery when he omits to state that both treatments have been largely debunked and limits himself to state that "some studies seem to show that there mught be beneficial effects". A

For a different, more skeptical (and in my opinion, correct) view, I suggest Dr. Steven Novella's "Medical Myths" and "A Skeptic's Guide" also in the Great Courses or Paul Offit's "Do you believe in magic?" or any book by Dr. Michael Shermer.
The above books give details about the studies they refer to so you can check facts out for yourself.
Hope this is helpful.

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All about meditation NOT integrative medicine

If you want to know all the ways meditation can help your health, this course is good. If you want to know what integrated medicine is, what to expect in integrated medicine, or how to access it, forget it....

The information is good, but this course is not what it the title says....

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Very basic.

Would you try another book from The Great Courses and/or Professor Brent A. Bauer?

The only Great Courses Book I have heard so far that I would not recommend.

What was most disappointing about The Great Courses’s story?

I feel like any adult would have known everything in this book just from living in our culture.

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Just Wonderful.

As human beings are integrative, this concept of medicine managing different aspects of the effect of disease in the whole person is very practical and realistic. I loved it.

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Too bad these weren't recorded live

This audio seems to have come from the author reading his lecture notes rather than actual lectures. I think he would have had more energy had he been actually delivering this information live. I am sure they were very interesting in-person, but I had to speed up the recording to make it through.

However, that said, it was well-researched and had good information. Worth listening to if you are exploring integrative medicine. Anyone considering using Mayo Clinic services should listen to the last two chapters at a minimum, because they speak of options that are available there.

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Loved it

This course was informative, instructional, uplifting and enjoyable to listen to. The pros and cons of each complementary therapy were fairly represented and supported with research.

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Great Overview!

Great information and overview of how lifestyle changes and integrative medicine can work together with main stream medicine to improve overall health. Definitely worth the read!

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good stuff

mayo clinic is sincere. what a fabulous place to work I would imagine. Well done. valid suggestions and to the point information.

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unrealistic

29 yrs as M.D. Not helpful. Real patients in real world won't do this. Would not recommend wasting your time.

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