Integrative medicine consults in a pediatric hospital: A case series

Abstract

Pediatric integrative medicine (PIM) is a holistic approach to health care that combines conventional pediatric treatments with evidence-based complementary therapies to support the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of children and their caretakers. It encompasses a wide range of modalities, including acupuncture, massage therapy, mindfulness, guided imagery, and nutritional counseling, tailored to meet the developmental and medical needs of pediatric patients. The goal of PIM is to support treatment by integrating family values, lifestyle, and stress management into care plans through different therapies. In this report, the existing literature of pediatric inpatient integrative medicine interventions is reviewed, and three patient case studies illustrate the impact of a pilot integrative medicine consultation service in a tertiary care children’s hospital. These cases will reflect integrative medicine modalities to provide non-pharmacologic symptom management through approaches such as massage, acupressure, clinical hypnosis, guided imagery, and breathing techniques.