Integrative medicine can help boost daily energy

Any activity practiced in excess can harm the human health.

It is necessary, as a result, for people to understand how moderation and balance are crucial for healthy lifestyles, said Irene Kim, an acupuncturist at the UCLA Center for East-West Medicine.

When individuals lack energy due to being ill or their unhealthy habits, integrative medicine may help individuals maintain and improve their health.

As part of UCLA’s Community Health Programs that educate people about wellness and how to lead healthier lives, the Get an Energy Boost event next month will address ways to attain lifestyle balance and also ways to increase energy through the integration of eastern and western medicines, said Ishara Bailis, the UCLA Healthcare 50-Plus Program administrator.

The event invites attendees of all ages and particularly targets adults 50 years and over.

While eastern medicine involves treatments that focus on the body, mind and spirit, western medicine involves the use of medicines to treat medical conditions. Integrative medicine tries to combine the best of both, said Kim, who will speak at the event.

Non-medical, self-care practices such as getting adequate sleep, eating a healthy diet and exercising are important, as they enable individuals to have a good reserve of energy that they can use when necessary, said Michael Francis Johnston, a visiting assistant researcher at the center.

“People need to have a good energy supply and be able to go through rhythms of daily rise with mental awareness and physical sufficiency,” he added.

Although self-care as a method of achieving high levels of energy is considered to be a simple method, incorporating healthy practices into daily routines is cutting edge, Johnston said. Relaxation, acupuncture and integrative forms of medicine can help people feel more energized, he added.

Research at the UCLA Center for East-West Medicine on breast cancer patients has shown that acupuncture ““ the practice of inserting thin needles into the skin for therapeutic effects ““ can to be beneficial in addressing fatigue, said Jie-Jia Li, an acupuncturist and integrative medicine researcher at the center.

During acupuncture, energy stimulates neurotransmitters that help establish both energy flows and balance in the body.

Based on research on breast cancer survivors who experienced fatigue, having positive self-image can also increase energy flow in the brain and body, Kim said.

“When you are in a good mood, you digest better, and systems inside your body (work) more smoothly and without blockages,” Kim said.

The interest in integrative medicine continues to increase as individuals seek longevity and become more open-minded about non-western forms of medicine.

Students interested in alternative and integrative medicine can enroll in Medicine 180: Introduction to Integrative East-West Medicine, a course taught during Summer Session A that explores these topics, as well as traditional Chinese medicine.

Over time, individuals who practice self-care can rebuild themselves and benefit from improved energy levels, Johnston said.

“Balance for ourselves is necessary and people have to appreciate themselves for what they have,” Kim said.

For more information about the event and how to RSVP, visit the Community Calendar at uclahealth.org.