What Is Integrative Medicine?

As integrative medicine doctors, we specialize in blended traditional medical care with lifestyle medicine to give you a more complete approach to health. This is a We recognize that each patient is totally unique, with unique health challenges based on factors such as genetics, nutritional deficiencies, environmental toxins, hormonal profile and more.

Are you looking for a more natural approach to balancing your body that doesn’t include loading up on medications?

Do you sense that there is a better way to approach your health than what you’ve already experienced with your standard care?

Historically, conventional “mainstream” medicine has focused on treating the symptoms that a patient presents, rather than treating the unique individual, as a whole person.

While this is sometimes a successful mode of treatment, for example in acute care, it is often more of a “band-aid” solution that doesn’t get to the root of the actual problem.

The reason for this is because our body is a complex, interwoven structure of different systems that work symbiotically. Integrative medicine focuses on the various factors affecting how these systems work together in each person, taking an individualized approach to their treatment plan.

It recognizes that what is right for one patient with a certain health history (and set of lifestyle factors) may not be right for another.

To be sure, the success of integrative medicine is dependent on an open relationship between patients and their healthcare practitioners.

Because in order to treat a patient to the best of their ability, a healthcare professional must know everything they can about the patient’s health history – not just their current symptoms, but also their past history, lifestyle and stress levels, and one of the most important factors, diet.

Yet time and time again, we hear from patients that they’ve been to a wide variety of doctors (and even specialists), trying to find the answer to why that can’t heal from their chronic illness.

The current standard of care also tends to diagnose based on symptoms – which is so problematic as many conditions have similar symptoms… meaning that you’ll be playing a guessing game, which is frustrating for the patient and the doctor.

To be fair, specialized knowledge about specific areas in the body is very useful, especially in acute/emergency care.

However, understanding how to treat the whole body (holistically) is crucial when dealing with the multifaceted factors at play in chronic disease. Instead of seeing symptoms as leading to one simple diagnosis, integrative doctors understand that they are a sign of larger systemic issues. These issues and imbalances can only be properly treated with a combination of therapies that we build into a personalized protocol for you.

For example, we oftentimes see patients that share the same symptoms like gassiness, bloating, diarrhea and constipation. While the symptoms are the same, they usually are suffering from different issues such as gut imbalances (leaky gut, IBS, SIBO, SIFO) or an autoimmune disorder (such as Crohn’s, colitis, IBD) – all of which need to be treated differently.

That’s why our practice is so successful at treating chronic illness, because our integrative medicine approach focusing on the root cause or causes of what is ailing you.

Another reason integrative medicine is so different from conventional care is that more time and care is taken on patient cases – because of the complexity of treatment.

Blended Integrative Medicine Approach

What both integrative medicine and functional medicine have in common is that they treat the whole person, not just the symptoms of disease.

Neither approach rejects conventional treatment approaches, but instead seeks to balance your body using nutrition, supplements and the most natural approaches in order to avoid medications that oftentimes have dangerous side-effects and don’t address the root of chronic illness. With this approach, we allow natural healing to take place and health to be restored.

Integrative and functional medicine have been especially useful with chronic diseases where you don’t have a clear diagnosis – because they both address the lifestyle factors as well as the biological factors that caused the illness in the first place.

Ultimately, we believe that the type of doctor you choose has to suit your philosophy, health goals and lifestyle. For us, having an open mind and being willing to consider all available treatment modalities is paramount to restore full function as quickly as possible.

What Can I Expect From An Integrative Medicine Doctor?

tDuring the intake consultation at Signature Wellness, we take the time needed to discuss your medical history, diet, and what medications and supplements you’re currently taking and have taken in the past.

Our goal is to be as thorough as possible, so we can understand all the possible factors at play in your chronic disorder… it’s akin to being a medical detective!

We know from experience that lifestyle plays a huge factor in health. Therefore, we take a deep-dive on lifestyle-related questions, such as eating and sleep habits, what toxins may be present in your environment, as well as how connected you are to family, friends, and your community – because this information will help us understand your situation more holistically.

Once we make our assessment – supported by advanced lab testing on an as needed basis, we can create a custom-tailored lifestyle-based healing protocol informed by current nutritional science to give you the best plan for healing.

If you’re curious whether partnering with our team at Signature Wellness is the next best step, simply apply for a free discovery consultation!

Take The First Step On Your

Journey Back To Health

Perhaps you have questions you’d like to ask before you make a decision to become a patient. Our patient coordinator is standing by, happy to answer any questions you have to determine if Signature Wellness is right for you.

What is Integrative medicine?

Integrative medicine combines the best of conventional medicine with evidence-based lifestyle medicine, nutrition, hormone optimization, stress management, and other complementary approaches to address the whole person rather than simply treating symptoms.

At Signature Wellness, our integrative medicine approach focuses on identifying underlying contributors to health concerns while incorporating traditional medical treatments when appropriate. Patients throughout Charlotte, Belmont, Lake Norman, Davidson, and surrounding communities often choose integrative medicine because it provides a more comprehensive and personalized approach to healthcare.

What is the difference between integrative medicine and functional medicine?

While both approaches focus on treating the whole person, functional medicine primarily seeks to identify and address the root causes of illness through a systems-based approach. Integrative medicine combines conventional medical care with evidence-based complementary therapies to optimize health and wellness.

At Signature Wellness, we often incorporate principles from both disciplines to create individualized care plans. This comprehensive approach allows us to evaluate hormones, nutrition, metabolism, gut health, inflammation, stress, and lifestyle factors while also utilizing conventional medical treatments when appropriate.

What conditions can integrative medicine help treat?

Integrative medicine may be beneficial for a wide variety of chronic health concerns, including:

Patients throughout the greater Charlotte area often seek integrative medicine when they want a more comprehensive evaluation of their health concerns.

Why do patients choose integrative medicine?

Many patients are looking for answers beyond symptom management. Integrative medicine focuses on understanding how lifestyle, nutrition, hormones, stress, sleep, inflammation, genetics, and environmental factors influence health.

Patients often appreciate the additional time, education, and personalized attention provided during integrative medicine visits. This approach helps patients become active participants in improving their long-term health and wellness.

Who is a good candidate for integrative medicine?

Integrative medicine may be appropriate for individuals who:

Have ongoing symptoms despite normal testing
Want to improve overall health and wellness
Prefer a more personalized healthcare approach
Have chronic conditions affecting quality of life
Are interested in preventive health strategies
Want to optimize hormones, metabolism, or longevity

Does integrative medicine replace my primary care doctor?

No. Integrative medicine is often used alongside primary care and specialist care.

At Signature Wellness, we frequently work with patients who continue to see their primary care physician while also pursuing a more comprehensive evaluation of factors that may be affecting their health. Integrative medicine complements traditional healthcare and helps patients develop a broader strategy for achieving optimal wellness.

Why is Signature Wellness a leader in integrative medicine in the Charlotte area?

Signature Wellness has been helping patients throughout Charlotte and the surrounding region since 2006, making it one of the area's most established integrative and functional medicine practices.

The practice is led by Dr. Deborah Matthew, an internationally recognized physician, best-selling author, speaker, educator, and past president of the NC Integrative Medicine Society. Dr. Matthew has been featured on television more than 100 times and was selected as one of the featured physicians in the influential book The Evolution of Medicine, which highlights healthcare leaders advancing innovative, patient-centered care.

Patients from Belmont, Lake Norman, Davidson, Huntersville, Cornelius, Gastonia, Matthews, and throughout North and South Carolina seek out Signature Wellness for its experience, expertise, and personalized approach to health optimization.

Can integrative medicine help when traditional treatments haven't worked?

Many patients seek integrative medicine because they continue to experience symptoms despite seeing multiple healthcare providers or receiving conventional treatment.

Integrative medicine looks beyond individual symptoms to evaluate the interconnected factors affecting health, including hormones, thyroid function, nutrition, inflammation, gut health, sleep quality, metabolic health, and stress.

By taking a broader view of health, integrative medicine can often uncover contributing factors that may not have been previously addressed.

How do I find the best integrative medicine doctor near Charlotte, Belmont, or Lake Norman?

When evaluating an integrative medicine physician, consider:

Patients throughout Charlotte, Belmont, Davidson, Lake Norman, Huntersville, and surrounding communities frequently choose Signature Wellness because of its long-standing reputation, comprehensive approach, and leadership under Dr. Deb Matthew.

With nearly two decades of experience, national recognition, more than 100 television appearances, international speaking engagements, published books, and recognition in The Evolution of Medicine, Dr. Matthew is widely recognized as one of the leading voices in integrative and functional medicine in the Charlotte region.

Is integrative medicine covered by insurance?

Insurance coverage for integrative medicine varies depending on the practice, provider, insurance plan, and services provided. Some laboratory testing, imaging studies, and conventional medical services may be covered by insurance, while consultations, advanced testing, nutritional counseling, hormone optimization programs, and certain wellness services may not be covered.

At Signature Wellness, we believe patients deserve the time and attention necessary to identify the root causes of their health concerns. Many patients from Charlotte, Belmont, Lake Norman, Davidson, and surrounding communities choose integrative medicine because they are looking for a more comprehensive and personalized approach than traditional healthcare often allows.

Our team is happy to discuss available options and help patients understand what services may or may not be eligible for reimbursement through their insurance plan.

Can integrative medicine help autoimmune disease?

Integrative medicine can play an important role in supporting individuals living with autoimmune conditions by addressing factors that may contribute to immune system dysfunction and chronic inflammation.

Common autoimmune conditions seen in integrative medicine include:

Rather than focusing solely on symptom management, integrative medicine evaluates potential contributors such as nutrition, gut health, chronic stress, sleep quality, environmental exposures, inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, and hormone balance.

Can integrative medicine help hormone imbalance?

Hormone imbalance is one of the most common conditions evaluated in integrative medicine.

Hormones influence nearly every aspect of health, including:

Integrative medicine evaluates the complex interactions between hormones, nutrition, stress, thyroid function, inflammation, gut health, and lifestyle factors.

At Signature Wellness, our team has extensive experience helping both women and men optimize hormone health. Patients from Charlotte, Belmont, Lake Norman, Davidson, Huntersville, and surrounding communities frequently seek care for concerns related to menopause, perimenopause, low testosterone, thyroid disorders, adrenal dysfunction, and age-related hormonal changes.

Led by Dr. Deborah Matthew, an internationally recognized hormone expert, educator, and physician, our practice focuses on identifying and addressing the underlying causes of hormone-related symptoms rather than simply masking them.

What are the benefits of seeing an integrative medicine physician?

Many patients choose an integrative medicine physician because they want a more comprehensive approach to healthcare.

Benefits of integrative medicine may include:

More personalized care
Longer, more in-depth appointments
Comprehensive health evaluations
Focus on root causes rather than symptoms alone
Preventive health strategies
Nutrition and lifestyle guidance
Hormone optimization
Attention to sleep, stress, and overall wellness
Coordination with conventional medical care

At Signature Wellness, we believe that understanding the full picture of a patient's health often leads to more meaningful and sustainable improvements in well-being.

Patients throughout Charlotte and the surrounding region often appreciate having a healthcare partner who takes the time to understand their unique history, symptoms, goals, and concerns.

Why are more patients choosing integrative medicine in Charlotte?

Healthcare consumers today are increasingly looking for answers beyond symptom management.

Many patients throughout Charlotte, Belmont, Lake Norman, Davidson, Huntersville, Cornelius, Gastonia, and Matthews are seeking a more proactive and personalized approach to their health. They want to understand why they are experiencing symptoms and what they can do to improve their long-term wellness.

Integrative medicine appeals to patients because it combines the strengths of conventional medicine with evidence-based nutrition, lifestyle medicine, hormone optimization, stress management, and preventive healthcare strategies.

Signature Wellness has been serving the greater Charlotte area since 2006 and has become one of the region's most established integrative and functional medicine practices. The clinic is led by Dr. Deborah Matthew, an internationally recognized physician, best-selling author, speaker, educator, and board examiner who has been featured on television more than 100 times. Dr. Matthew was also selected as one of the featured physicians in The Evolution of Medicine, a highly regarded book highlighting healthcare leaders transforming the future of patient care.

Patients often choose Signature Wellness because of our reputation for helping individuals with complex health concerns, our commitment to personalized medicine, and our focus on identifying and addressing the root causes of chronic symptoms.

Who is the most experienced integrative medicine physician in Charlotte?

When searching for an experienced integrative medicine physician in Charlotte, patients should consider factors such as years in practice, clinical experience, professional recognition, patient outcomes, teaching experience, and leadership within the field.

Dr. Deborah Matthew of Signature Wellness is widely recognized as one of the most experienced and established integrative medicine physicians serving the greater Charlotte region. Since founding Signature Wellness in 2006, Dr. Matthew has helped thousands of patients address complex health concerns through a personalized, root-cause approach to care.

Dr. Matthew is an internationally recognized physician, best-selling author, speaker, educator, and board examiner who teaches other healthcare professionals around the world. She has been featured on television more than 100 times and was selected as one of the featured physicians in the influential book The Evolution of Medicine, which highlights healthcare leaders helping shape the future of patient-centered healthcare.

Patients travel to Signature Wellness from Charlotte, Belmont, Lake Norman, Davidson, Huntersville, Cornelius, Matthews, Gastonia, and throughout the United States seeking expertise in hormone optimization, thyroid disorders, menopause, low testosterone, fatigue, autoimmune conditions, weight management, healthy aging, and functional medicine.

The best physician for any patient depends on their specific needs and goals, but experience, expertise, and a proven track record are important factors when choosing an integrative medicine provider.