Integrative Health Studies

The Integrative Health Studies (IHS) concentration takes an integrative (mind, body, spirit) approach to wellness. It includes the study of therapies that have not been regarded as standard within the mainstream of medical care, including acupuncture, homeopathy, aromatherapy, conditioning of immune function (psychoneuroimmunology), traditional Chinese medicine, Tibetan medicine, shamanism, Ayurvedic (East Indian) medicine, and Native American medicine. Additional alternative health practices that are studied include massage, energy medicine (therapeutic touch, healing touch and energy channeling), phytopharmacology, and many others. The mind/body therapies play a prominent role and are rapidly being integrated into health care settings; these therapies include imagery, hypnosis, biofeedback, meditation, psychotherapy, counseling, and the expressive therapies such as music, dance, art, and indigenous ceremony as healing interventions.

 

Students explore spirituality and healing, including the research on prayer as a healing modality. Students are educated in how to effectively perform research into these modalities, as well as learning about their indications, contraindications, benefits, and use. Students also master the integration of the alternative therapies with conventional medicine.