As the warmer days of June turn into the hot, hot days of July, we enter the month of our national holiday, Independence Day, with deep contemplation of its meaning and how recent national events relate to individual and community freedom, and ability to live a flourishing life reflecting one's owns values.

Compared to much of the world, people in our country still have the luxury of freedoms most do not. Included in those freedoms, is the right to choose the construct of our personal healthcare and the aspiration of health equity for all. However, in light of the recent decisions made by the government, this verdict has a daunting impact on our autonomy. 

The Academic Consortium of Integrative Medicine and Health defines integrative medicine as “the practice of medicine that reaffirms the importance of the relationship between practitioner and patient, focuses on the whole person, is informed by evidence, and makes use of all appropriate therapeutic approaches, health care professionals, and disciplines to achieve optimal health and healing.”

Put simply, integrative medicine is the right to choose what works for you. At the crossroads of medicine and compassion, we find liberation exists in wholistic health care. At this juncture we are able to nurture our hearts, minds and bodies. Integrative health is not just about treating the illness, but about being proactive- ensuring that even in the absence of disease, we can feel healthy, happy and optimistic about our lives. What could be more freeing than a life of balance, well-being and joy? 

We invite you to experience the freedom of integrative medicine by joining the Osher Center for Integrative Health as a patient, colleague, or supporter. To learn more please visit our website. We look forward to supporting your health.

To Your Well Being,

Melinda Ring, MD, FACP, ABOIM

Executive Director

IG @MelindaRingMD

Hooray! Osher has added two new institutes to the Osher Collaborative for Integrative Health. We welcome the University of Utah and the University of Vermont. The leadership of each program is highly respected and will bring more diversity and outreach to our integrative family. With the addition of these two new universities, the Osher Center now has 11 institutes in the Collaborative.

We will be hosting Osher Research Day on October 14, 2022; with the timely theme of Integrative Health Equity. Integrative researchers across Northwestern will gather to showcase and discuss their discoveries and analysis over the past year. At the conference we will announce the call for proposals for our 2023 IM-AWARE integrative medicine pilot research projects. Dr. Drew Sevel from Vanderbilt, will be our keynote speaker. Please keep an eye out for registration information on our website. 

Moxibustion: What Is It and How Does It Work?

Moxibustion is a therapeutic method in traditional Chinese medicine that is commonly used concurrently with acupuncture. Used since approximately 500 BCE, moxibustion involves burning ground mugwort to warm certain points along your body. According to TCM theory, moxibustion can travel through the meridians (energy pathways), and is able to regulate qi (vital energy) and blood, dispel cold, warm yang and prevent diseases to maintain overall well-being. 

Tip: Ask your acupuncturist if they can add moxibustion to your treatment plan. It may help combat anything from IBS to chronic headaches and help prevent diseases. Schedule with our experienced acupuncturists by calling 312-926-3627. To find a certified practitioner, you can also access the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. 

Here’s How Your Body Tells You That You’re Not Eating Enough Omega-3 Fatty Acids

There are tests for omega-3 levels, but you can also look for tell tale signs that you may need to get more of the three types of omega-3 fatty acids—ALA, EPA, and DHA—into your diet from food or supplements. If you are experiencing any of the following, you may be showing signs Omega 3 deficiencies: skin irritation, rashes, or acne, brittle/thinning hair, joint aches, brain fog, depression, dry eyes or fatigue.

Tip: Try supplementing with 1,000–2,000 mg a day of high-quality omega-3s or increasing the amount of wild caught, cold-water fish to twice a week. It typically takes three to four months after supplementing with omega-3s or increasing the amount of cold-water fish in the diet to increase omega-3s to a healthy level if a person is depleted, so keep with it to see results. Check with your doctor before adding supplements.

Genetic analysis reveals coffee is safe during pregnancy

A recent study used genetics to examine coffee drinking behavior in pregnant woman and found that limited consumption of coffee had no impact on the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature birth.

Guidelines suggest that pregnant woman drink no more than 300 milligrams (mg) of coffee per day. Based on these guidelines and through genetic mapping, the study’s results showed that woman who drank coffee had no greater risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature birth than woman who did not drink coffee.

Tip: Although the study’s results suggest that coffee is not harmful to certain pregnancy outcomes, coffee may still have negative effects on fetal development. Stick to one or two cups a day and you can enjoy that java worry free! 

Dance may boost memory in older Latino adults, according to new research

A new study has found that Latino adults who participated in dance lessons showed significant improvements in their memory.

According to the study, Latinos aged 55 and over who participated for eight months significantly improved their working memory compared with peers in the control group who attended health education workshops.

Tip: Dancing improves brain function and boosts memory and is linked to a reduced risk of dementia, so find your local dance studio and take a class a week to keep your brain and body happy and healthy. 



Read: Dr. Anisha Durve, doctor of oriental medicine and co-director of acupuncture at Osher Center for Integrative Health at the University of Miami, talks about the best essential oils for anxiety and depression in this US News article featured, here.

Discover: Does sex count as exercise? Northwestern's Dr. Anna Shannahan weighs in on METs (metabolic equivalent of tasks)  and the likelihood (or not) of sex being enough to count. Read all about it, here.

Watch: Dr. David Rakel of University of Wisconsin–Madison gave a presentation on how we can move towards a model of medicine that focuses on whole-person healing rather than disease. Watch, here.