Integrative Pediatric Care
Integrative medicine may help to reduce the severity or frequency of disease episodes, decrease stress related to chronic disease, and enjoy a better quality of life. This integrative approach is a patient-centered way of addressing lifestyle, nutritional and emotional needs of children. Our philosophy at Kare Health and Wellness is “Treat the child, not just the symptom.”
Reasons for the use of integrative pediatric in Springfield Missouri can include the desire to support the body’s natural healing process, the wish to explore all treatment options, and preference for less invasive treatments. Integrative pediatric has the potential to expand treatment options for your child and the ability to introduce new approaches to chronic conditions. Integrative medicine prioritizes health and wellness from childhood through adulthood.
Our practitioners will begin with a detailed history of reactions, environmental factors, and current dietary habits to formulate a personalized plan for your child to alleviate their symptoms.
Nutrition is highly emphasized within our integrative approach as well as other lifestyle and environmental factors. We know that childhood obesity has quadrupled in the last 30 years. One in five children is obese in the United States. Children with obesity are at higher risk of having chronic diseases such as asthma, sleep apnea, bone/joint problems, type 2 diabetes, and increased risk for heart disease.
By analyzing your child’s current diet and making recommendations, such as healthy food options and ways to incorporate supplementation into their daily routine, we can begin to uncover and address other issues that may stem from a poor diet.
We look at your child as a whole person instead of isolating their symptoms. This helps us begin to identify underlying problems that may have never been brought to light before. Adequate sleep is a perfect example. Sleep is a critical element of good health in children and adolescents. Ensuring your child is getting the appropriate amount of sleep for their age is important for their overall health.
We also know that allergy symptoms in children can be mistaken for other issues if not identified properly. The prevalence of allergies has increased over the past 50 years. The World Health Organization estimates approximately 300 million people live with asthma, and another 200-500 million people are estimated to have food allergies. The CDC estimates 40% of kids under age 18 have a food allergy.
Food allergy and intolerance may present itself as a digestive upset such as nausea, constipation, or diarrhea. Skin conditions related to allergies include rashes, itching, eczema, and psoriasis. We can test for food allergies and sensitivities with a simple blood test to identify and manage these allergies.
Testing and treatment options are available for:
- Food Allergies
- Food sensitivities
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Pediatric Insomnia
- Frequent ear infection
- ADHD/ADD
- Chronic Diarrhea/Constipation/Abdominal Pain
- Thyroid Imbalance
- Poor Diet/Nutritional Deficiencies
- Asthma
- Skin Conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and other rashes
- Frequent strep infections/tonsillitis
- Weight concerns (over or under)
- Fatigue
- Migraines
Ultimately, our goal is not to prescribe medications to treat the symptoms, but instead to find the cause of the symptoms. Our practitioners take the time to listen to the child and the parent. We listen to their concerns and frustrations and build an open and trusting relationship. We believe in the importance of education and understanding about all treatment options, both conventional and complementary.
To explore natural options for your child, contact our office for more information or to schedule a consult for your child. Our integrative pediatric care is available for children 7 years of age and older.