Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Health & Fitness Center
Department of Integrative Medicine

Determining and treating the real source of a person’s medical condition can lead to a more lasting, far-reaching, and satisfying solution than treating only the symptom. And finding a solution that avoids resorting to drugs and that encourages the body to heal itself contributes to the person’s long-term health and well-being. The skilled professionals in the Integrative Medicine Department at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Health & Fitness Center examine an individual’s whole being along with the specific problem. We evaluate the person so we can determine the healing method or combination of methods that works best; then we integrate those methods in order to improve the person’s health and life. Because each person is unique, we consider a variety of remedies, often including conventional medical therapy, all designed to help the body care for itself.

Energetic Medicine (Homeopathy)
Homeopathy, also called “Psychoneuroimmunology,” is a physical-mental-spiritual approach in which patients discover their innate ability to heal and learn how the body, mind and spirit affect their health and can work together to achieve true healing. We prescribe remedies that consider the person’s overall life experiences as well as the specific problem, with the intent or eradicating certain pre-dispositions by encouraging the system itself to correct the problem.

Biochemical Medicine (Naprapathy)
Naprapathy can relieve or even eliminate a patient's discomfort and can accelerate the rehabilitation process for those recovering from illness or injury. We focus on the relationship between the muscles, tendons, and ligaments and the body’s functions. Using a variety of mobilization techniques and exercises, we help release tension in the tendons and enable the whole body to begin to function more smoothly to heal itself. A change in diet and the addition of nutritional supplementation may be recommended after assessing a patient’s needs through a comprehensive dietary and physical evaluation.

Massage Therapy
Depending on the specific need, our skilled massage therapists can prevent or alleviate pain and discomfort; relieve muscle spasms, tension, and stiffness; improve circulation and promote overall well-being. Massage therapy can also increase flexibility and range of motion. Lower blood pressure, improve breathing, aid relaxation and restore calmness.

Acupuncture
This ancient Oriental method of healing uses tiny needles placed along energy pathways just below the first layers of skin to relieve pain, stress, and other health conditions by locating and removing the causes. Our skilled practitioners reopen these pathways to enable stores of energy to flow freely within the body and to reach areas that had become energy-deprived.

Chinese Herbal Medicine
Herbal Medicine incorporated Oriental diagnosis to discover the origin of a person’s health complaints in order to treat the cause rather than the symptom. Our expert herbalists know that herbs can provide effective healing if used properly; they prescribe carefully controlled herbal combinations and dosages, based on the illness treated and various individual factors.

Nutrition
Good nutrition plays an important part in every aspect of Integrative Medicine. Some of our clients have medical conditions that require dietary changes; others want to feel better and prevent long-term problems by embracing a healthy diet. Our registered dietitian educates clients on the importance of good nutrition, encourages them to make dietary life-style changes, and offers various options for achieving a balanced and healthy diet, taking into consideration each client’s personal and social issues.

About the Integrative Medicine Center
The Integrative Medicine Department, located at Good Shepherd Hospital Health & Fitness Center at 1301 South Barrington Road in Barrington, is open Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. on Saturday (massage only). We recommend that individuals contact their insurance carrier to determine the services covered. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 847-620-4560.