Integrative healthcare offers a collaborative approach not often found in conventional medicine.
Seeking a holistic, personalized approach to your health that feels more like a partnership? If your answer is “yes,” then consider integrative healthcare.
Integrative healthcare providers teach patients to heal and optimize their health and longevity – including incorporating conventional medicine.
“Conventional medicine is a necessary, life-saving framework for healthcare, but is better at addressing acute and life-threatening health issues than it is at addressing chronic disease and prevention,” says Melissa Trotman, a certified registered nurse practitioner and owner of Vital You Functional Medicine.
Trotman uses her background in conventional medicine, combined with functional medicine – an approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of disease– to develop plans that reverse chronic disease, prevent chronic illness, and empower patients to take control of their health.
After spending over 15 years as a nurse practitioner at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Trotman opened Vital You in Annapolis.
“I found that my patients preferred to use the most natural healing approach possible with the judicious use of pharmaceuticals when needed,” Trotman says, who still currently provides care for cardiology patients at Sinai Hospital.
“I call my plans for patients Action Plans because they require active participation from myself and the patient,” Trotman says.
Typical plans include nutritional therapy, targeted dietary supplements and herbs, exercise/movement prescriptions, sleep optimization, stress management, and cultivating family and community relationships.
“I am most excited about our newly expanded integrative cancer care services,” Trotman says. “We offer mistletoe and high-dose IV vitamin C infusions and a full integrative approach to cancer care for patients who are undergoing conventional cancer care and for those who have declined conventional care or have been told that there are no treatment options.”
Trotman explains that integrative healthcare is recommended for anyone who feels like they are being shuffled through a system with limited options and no one is listening to their concerns and guiding them through their cancer experience.
“This approach helps by optimizing the immune system to fight cancer and minimize the side effects of conventional treatment,” Trotman says. “In some cases, integrative cancer care can even help people to complete treatments that they otherwise may not be able to tolerate.”
Is integrative healthcare a good fit for you? Trotman says her practice may be right for you if:
- Multiple conventional providers have been unable to target the source of your illness, and symptoms persist.
- You have been labeled with one or more severe diagnoses or an autoimmune disease, and no plans for practical relief are in progress.
- You have cancer or a history of cancer and are ready to integrate holistic treatments and functional medicine into your care plan.
- You’re looking for an experienced guide to help you overcome decision fatigue that comes with a serious diagnosis such as cancer or autoimmune disease.
- Your goal is to optimize your health and lower your risk of cancer recurrence while working towards longevity and vitality.
- Know that it’s time to get your life back. It’s time to experience the energetic lifestyle you want. You know feeling better is possible, and you’re ready to enjoy your life and reach your goals.
“My patients can expect to feel like I am part of their team and that we are in this together,” Trotman says.
Vital You is located at 130 Admiral Cochrane Dr., Suite 303, Annapolis. Call (410) 994-7575.
Author: Krista Pfunder
Krista Pfunder grew up in Davidsonville, MD and attended St. Mary's in Annapolis. After graduating from Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Va — where she was editor of the college newspaper — she moved around the country, living in Texas, California and North Carolina. Having made the jump from journalism to marketing / communications many years ago, she is happy to be back writing again. Krista now calls Calvert County home, along with her rescue German Shepherd.
Discover the Health Benefits of These Mighty Mushrooms