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.

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

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.)
• Stress Management
  This service, provided by a physician who specializes in Integrative Medicine techniques, is offered to manage general life stress or situational stress. Stress management techniques can include mindfulness, meditation, guided imagery, progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing, counseling, massage therapy, acupuncture and yoga. Read more about stress management.
• Massage Therapy
  This service is provided by a certified massage therapist. 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. Read more about massage therapy.
• 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. Read more about acupuncture.
• Hypnosis
  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. Read more about hypnosis.
• Meditation
  Meditation can relax and rejuvenate the mind and body, and helps many patients refocus and gain happiness and inner peace. Read more about meditation.

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

Physicians/Providers

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

Research Activities

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

The Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program at Mayo Clinic was created in large part to address the challenges patients face every day in deciding if or how to use complementary and alternative medicine. Mayo Clinic physicians conduct dozens of clinical studies every year — to learn what works, what doesn't, and to share that information with their patients and colleagues. By identifying effective therapies and helping bring them into the practice, physicians in the Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program seek to assure that Mayo Clinic maintains its leadership position in providing excellent health care — mind, body, and spirit.

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