Alternative & Integrative Medicine in North Carolina

Alternative and integrative medicine developed as a reaction to the limits of conventional, symptom-focused healthcare. Herbal medicine, Ayurveda, and Traditional Chinese Medicine have been practiced for thousands of years and form the historical foundation of “alternative” care. In the 20th century, patients began seeking approaches that combined the precision of conventional medicine with the supportive nature of holistic care. By the 1990s, the term “integrative medicine” gained traction as institutions such as the NIH created offices dedicated to research in complementary practices. Today, integrative medicine is used worldwide in clinics and hospitals, blending lifestyle modification, nutrition, acupuncture, and counseling with standard medical oversight. This approach is popular among patients who want the rigor of scientific evaluation without losing the individualized care of traditional practices.