Be Smart About Integrative Medicine

Integrative medicine and its cousin, alternative therapies, offer a wealth of new and often unfamiliar treatment choices. But before you sign up, you should know where to look, who to contact, and what kind of information you can trust.

"You want to avoid literally the thousands of bogus claims out there," says Barrie Cassileth, PhD, chief of the Integrative Medicine Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer CenterMemorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

For instance, does cholesterol spinach, a plant touted as a "miracle cure" in Hawaii, really lower cholesterol? Can

Scientists haven't found proof that any of the above treatments work. So when it comes to choosing a good integrative medicine center, or alternative or complementary therapies, it really pays to do your homework.

Finding a Reputable Integrative Medicine Center

Integrative medicine is gaining acceptance among more doctors and more hospitals around the country, but the movement is still just starting to build momentum.

Susan Folkman, PhD, director of the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of California, San FranciscoOsher Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, says if you're interested in finding a reputable integrative medicine center near you, visit the Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative MedicineConsortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative Medicine, which is a group of 31 academic health centers -- including the Osher Center and others at HarvardHarvard, ColumbiaColumbia, GeorgetownGeorgetown, and the University of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania.

Folkman, who is the chairwoman of the consortium, says you can find an academic center in your region and call for recommendations.

You can also get a listing of integrative medicine clinics through the Bravewell Clinical NetworkBravewell Clinical Network, a philanthropic organization dedicated to furthering the philosophy and implementation of integrative medicine.