American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) Board Practice Exam

Integrative medicine is a comprehensive approach that combines conventional medical treatments, such as medications and surgery, with complementary and alternative therapies, which may include practices like acupuncture, nutrition, meditation, and herbal remedies. This model emphasizes treating the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—rather than focusing solely on the symptoms of a disease. By integrating diverse therapeutic modalities, integrative medicine aims to enhance health outcomes, prevent illness, and promote wellness.

The other options pertain to various medical philosophies but do not encapsulate the broad integration of conventional and alternative practices like integrative medicine does. Allopathic medicine typically refers to the traditional practices of Western medicine that rely primarily on pharmacological and surgical interventions. Complementary medicine implies the use of alternative therapies alongside conventional treatments without necessarily indicating a structured integration. Holistic medicine focuses on treating the individual as a whole but may not inherently include the structured combination of conventional and alternative approaches as integrative medicine does.