Vignette: How it could be

At age 66, Alice has had her share of health problems: she is a breast cancer survivor, has had two heart attacks, and now experiences pain in both hips and knees due to severe osteoarthritis. Once a year she journeys from her home to her local Integrative Medicine Center, where a general internist, an endocrinologist, a rheumatologist and other specialists monitor her by means of blood tests, X-rays and bone scans, and adjust her medication. Over the past year, she has been spending increasing amounts of time with the Center´s alternative medicine practitioners, who have taught her about nutrition, fitness, yoga and tai chi. She feels this comprehensive approach has helped her to live a more satisfactory and meaningful life.