General Internal Medicine in Minnesota

Complementary and Integrative Medicine

Mayo Clinic's Complementary and Integrative Medicine program was created to address the growing patient interest in wellness-promoting activities that are not typically part of conventional medical care, such as meditation, massage therapy and herbal medicine. This clinic provides evidence-based consultation to Mayo patients and Mayo physicians about the use of complementary therapies.

Mayo Clinic's complementary and integrative medicine physicians and other health professionals offer patients and their referring physicians recommendations to help integrate appropriate complementary therapies and wellness programs into the patient's overall treatment plan. Recommendations are meant to complement rather than replace conventional Western medicine.

Services offered by the Complementary and Integrative Medicine Clinic

• Physician Consultation
  This service is provided by a physician with training in Integrative Medicine. During the consultation, the physician assesses the patient's needs and develops a treatment plan. Recommendations might include use of dietary supplements, botanicals and their interactions with prescription medications, mind-body procedures such as meditation, acupuncture, massage, and alternative medicine systems such as traditional Chinese medicine or ayurveda (a holistic medicine system from India.)
• Massage Therapy
  This service is provided by a certified massage therapist. During the initial assessment, the therapist evaluates the patient's needs and develops a treatment plan. Techniques are chosen based on the therapist's ongoing assessment and patient's goals. Massage techniques can include Swedish, deep-tissue, neuromuscular, myofascial release, and reflexology.
• Acupuncture
  This service is provided by a physician trained in acupuncture or a licensed acupuncturist who works under the supervision of a physician. Techniques include acupuncture with manual and electrical stimulation.

Appointments
Currently, appointments for the Complementary and Integrative Medicine Clinic services are available to established Mayo patients. A referral from a Mayo Clinic Rochester physician is necessary.

Physicians/Providers

Lana L. Abboud
Brent A. Bauer, M.D.
Tony Y. Chon, M.D.
Alexander Do
Nancy Drackley
Jennifer Hauschulz
Amit Sood, M.D.
Ann Vincent, M.B.B.S., M.D.

Research Activities

Recent national surveys suggest that 50 percent to 75 percent of adults in the United States use some form of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). Similar surveys done with patients here at Mayo Clinic over the past five years confirm these numbers. Many CAM therapies (e.g. meditation, guided imagery, massage) can be used by most of us with little risk and potentially, a great deal of benefit. On the other hand, some therapies (e.g. herbs and dietary supplements) may pose significant risks or may interact with prescription medications.

The Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program at Mayo Clinic was created in large part due to the recognition of the challenges patients face everyday in making decisions about the use of CAM. That is why Mayo Clinic physicians are engaged in dozens of clinical studies every year - to enable them to learn what works, what doesn't, and to share that information with their patients and colleagues. By identifying those things that work and helping to bring them into the practice, physicians in the Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program are helping to assure that Mayo Clinic remains the leader in providing excellent health care - mind, body, and spirit.

Read more about the Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program research activities.