Physicians at the Center serve as consultants who augment the care of a person's regular physician. They do not take the place of a primary care physician or specialist; rather, they are an additional resource for the individual and his or her other physicians.

People who come to the Center can choose to have a consultation with one of the physicians for design of a comprehensive personal treatment plan that suits their preferences and needs; they can choose to see only an individual practitioner, such as a massage therapist, Chinese herbalist, or acupuncturist; or they can choose a combination of services.

Many people who come to the Center choose first to see an individual physician for an extensive initial assessment. The physician may then refer the person to one of the many complementary practitioners. The idea is that patient and physician work together to come up with a plan that works. At the Center, doctors and practitioners take the time it requires to learn about more than just symptoms and ailments. They take the time it requires to see the complete picture -- from health history to concerns, from support systems to health goals and values. Your progress will be monitored by both medical doctors and complementary practitioners to give you the best of Integrative Medicine.

"Our initial intakes are usually an hour or more long," explains Dr. Stram. "We review the patient's complete history and develop a unique and comprehensive treatment plan. There are so many options open to people. The Center's model allows for the healing of the whole person, not simply the ailment."

A good example might be a person who comes in with chronic tendonitis. Traditional medicine might call for a shot of cortisone. The integrative model might include massage therapy and acupuncture leading to a more complete and long-lasting healing process. From chronic pain associated with migraine, sports injuries, and arthritis, to dealing with chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes, the Center's practitioners take the time to get to know the whole person. The patient takes an active role not only in devising the treatment plan, but also in its execution..

Unfortunately, many insurance plans still do not routinely cover some of the Center's services. The Center's staff provides guidance with submitting claims to insurance companies for reimbursement, is working with insurers to encourage expanded coverage, and works with individuals to make its services affordable. "We are breaking away from the current medical-financial model that requires physicians to spend only five to ten minutes per patient," explains Dr. Stram. "We believe this is the future of medicine, and we know more and more people are recognizing this with their willingness to pay out of pocket for consultations. We strive to set fair fees and to provide great value for the amount of time and care we take with each individual. We work with individuals to obtain insurance coverage whenever possible."

People Who Might Benefit
People who might benefit from the Center include those who already have a physician, but who have health concerns that they feel have not been completely addressed because of time limitations and/or the complexity of their needs. We're here for people who are:

• Looking to improve their health and quality of life through lifestyle changes that they can control, from nutrition and exercise to stress management
• ·Trying to manage chronic pain and/or illness and who wish to supplement their treatment with complementary therapies
• Concerned about the side effects from their medication, from Hormone Replacement Therapy and cholesterol management, to high blood pressure
• Seeking sound medical advice regarding their diet and/or the vitamins and herbal remedies that they are using
• Working to come back from an injury
• Looking for effective ways to quit smoking
• Struggling with eating disorders
• Dealing with the symptoms of menopause
• Seeking help with coping, relaxing, and enjoying life while dealing with chronic illness or depression
• Needing optimal immune support while undergoing cancer treatment therapy
• Dealing with infertility; having intrauterine implants, invitro-fertilization or other reproductive enhancing therapies.

First of Its Kind
All healthcare issues are deeply personal. People are interested in directing their own healthcare. They are turning to the Internet as a source for health care information, and they are searching for options and choice. The first wellness center of its kind in the Capital Region, the Center for Integrative Health and Healing offers a balanced approach to meeting the needs of people who want not only to treat illness, but also to prevent it - to manage and improve their health and their quality of life. With traditionally trained physicians on staff, and licensed complementary practitioners, the Center is a bridge between conventional medicine and complementary medicine for people who want to take advantage of all the safe and proven effective therapies available.