This Special Issue provides an overview of pediatric integrative medicine, an emerging field that blends conventional and evidence based complementary therapies with an emphasis on preventive health and wellbeing. It is one of the first publications to capture the field’s background as well as the implementation of pediatric integrative programs and therapies in both the United States and Europe. Written by expert contributors in their specialties, this work provides the reader a first-hand look at the innovative programs serving children with a wide array of conditions in both academic and community-based centers. Covering topics including program development and start-up, pediatric pain, headache, obesity management, stress, clinical hypnosis, creative arts therapies, integrative nursing, and provider self-care, the edition provides rich insight into the challenges and successes experienced by the authors and the creativity and passion driving the field with the goal of improving health care for children of all ages.

This Special Issue provides an overview of pediatric integrative medicine, an emerging field that blends conventional and evidence based complementary therapies with an emphasis on preventive health and wellbeing.

There is ample evidence that children and adolescents in large numbers are actively using integrative (complementary and alternative) therapies. Various studies now indicate that over 50% of pediatricians surveyed would refer a patient for integrative therapy, and they would welcome more natural therapies for children provided they were safe and effective. However, there has been little training for pediatricians in this area. Integrative Pediatrics addresses these issues and provides guidelines for pediatricians, parents, and general audiences in a balanced, evidence-based manner. In this volume in the Weil Integrative Medicine Library series, the authors describe a rational and evidence-based approach to the integrative therapy of childhood disorders and well-child care, integrating the principles of alternative and complementary therapies into the principles and practice of conventional pediatrics. The authors examine what works and what doesn't and offer practical guidelines for physicians to incorporate integrative medicine into their practice and how to advise patients and their parents on reasonable and effective therapies. The text also covers areas of controversy and identifies areas of uncertainty where future research is needed. Chapters also cite the best available evidence for both safety and efficacy of all therapies discussed. The series editor is Andrew Weil, MD, Professor and Director of the Program of Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizon. Dr. Weil's program was the first academic program in the US and he is the major name in integrative medicine in the US, and well-known around the world. His program's stated goal is "to combine the best ideas and practices of conventional and alternative medicine into cost effective treatments without embracing alternative practices uncritically."

This book covers a broad spectrum of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices employed in pediatric oncology worldwide, with a special focus on the methods widely used in Western countries. It is a scientifically based, practice-oriented handbook that will meet the needs of pediatric oncologists working in medical practices and hospitals. An introductory section includes a comparative overview of current CAM use in pediatric oncology in different countries. Commonly used CAM methods are then discussed in a series of chapters that provide a theoretical description of the method in question, followed by more practically oriented information, including scientific data if applicable. Special attention is paid to the issue of how to integrate each method into conventional pediatric oncology. The closing parts of the book consider aspects of CAM requiring further development, such as institutional research, and provide a road map on establishing integrative pediatric oncology worldwide.

This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue "Pediatric Integrative Medicine: An Emerging Field of Pediatrics" that was published in Children

Pediatric integrative medicine is a rapidly evolving field with great potential to improve the quality of preventive health in children and expand treatment options for children living with chronic disease. Many families actively use integrative therapies making familiarity with the field essential for clinicians working with pediatrics patients. This book provides a clear, evidence-based overview of the field. Foundations of pediatric health are covered with a goal of reviewing classic information and introducing emerging research in areas such as nutrition science, physical activity and mind-body therapies. Complementary medicine therapies are reviewed with an eye to expanding the conventionally trained clinician’s awareness about traditional healing approaches. Clinical applications explored include: Allergy Asthma Mental health IBS Bullying Obesity Environmental health ADHD Autism The book provides an excellent introduction to a relatively young field and will help the reader understand the scope of current evidence for integrative therapies in children and how to introduce integrative concepts into clinical practice. Integrative Pediatrics is a refreshing must-read for all students and health professionals focused on pediatrics, especially those new to the field or studying at graduate level.

In response to the rise in chronic medical conditions--and the growing use of complementary and alternative therapies--among pediatric and adolescent patients, healthcare practitioners are taking a serious look at pediatric integrative medicine (PIM). Although it dovetails with current concepts of preventive medicine, wellness, and patient control, PIM is still an evolving field with its own particular challenges and opportunities. A Guide to Integrative Pediatrics for the Healthcare Professional explores its subject through the more familiar lens of integrative medicine. This concise comprehensive resource synthesizes the knowledge base on a range of therapies commonly associated with PIM, such as acupuncture, herbal remedies, clinical hypnosis, yoga, homeopathy, and therapeutic massage, with findings on their effective use with children. Case examples illustrate uses of PIM modalities with allopathic medicine to treat young patients at various developmental stages, and the authors pinpoint safety and appropriateness concerns, answer licensing questions, and note clinical areas requiring further study. The wide-ranging information contained here will help support interest in PIM at the research, training, and practice levels. Features of the Guide: An introduction to basic concepts in PIM. Trends in IM/PIM education. A survey of complementary and alternative therapies, including biologically-based, body-based, mind-body, energy-based, and alternative whole systems. Current evidence for IM in treating common pediatric conditions. The future of integrative pediatrics. References and links for further information. Offering a front-row seat to the continued expansion of the field, A Guide to Integrative Pediatrics for the Healthcare Professional is a salient text not only for pediatricians but for all healthcare practitioners tasked with improving children's wellbeing. “/p>