Lifestyle Medicine uses evidence-based therapeutic interventions such as a whole-food, plant-based diet, regular physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances, and positive social connections to prevent, treat, and often reverse chronic diseases. These interventions are collectively known as the “Pillars of Health.” According to Andrew Weil, MD, founder of Integrative Medicine, a seventh pillar is added: spirituality, or one’s sense of purpose and meaning in life.
Both fields utilize these pillars to care for the whole person and, in some cases, entire communities, considering the environments in which we live. Through empathy, compassion, inclusion, deep listening, and evidence-based practices, Lifestyle and Integrative Medicine aim not only to free individuals and communities from disease but also to prevent illness and promote thriving.
When the pillars of nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, environment, social connection, and purpose are in balance, individuals can thrive. The goal is not merely to be free from disease, but to achieve overall wellness. A Lifestyle Medicine physician focuses deeply on these pillars, identifying areas for improvement and using the least invasive lifestyle behavioral therapies first.
Examples include introducing a whole-food, plant-based nutrition plan, setting a SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time-bound) goal for exercise, improving sleep hygiene such as identifying sleep disruptors such as late caffeine intake or exposure to blue light at night. Other strategies include setting stress reduction goals (e.g., starting with just 5-10 minutes of meditation per day), fostering social connections to balance physical, mental, and emotional health, and counseling on reducing harmful environmental substances like smoking and excessive alcohol use.
The American College of Lifestyle Medicine provides patient handouts with tips for optimizing these pillars. A substantial body of evidence supports their benefits. For instance, some lifestyle interventions, such as dietary changes, can reduce the need for certain diabetes medications. Other research shows that regular exercise can lower the risk of breast cancer recurrence, quitting smoking can prolong life, and improving sleep can help overcome insulin resistance.
Unfortunately, most physicians and healthcare professionals receive minimal education on these pillars and often lack the time to address them during routine visits. A Certified Lifestyle Medicine provider has mastered the science of preventing, treating, and reversing chronic disease through evidence-based behavioral techniques to optimize the pillars of health. Lifestyle and Integrative practitioners use narrative medicine to get to the root of problems and to identify the pillars that need the most support and health change.
How to Work with Beth Biggee, MD, Board-Certified Rheumatologist, Integrative Medicine, and Lifestyle Medicine Certified Physician
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Beth Biggee, please visit Synergy Wellness Center website, filling out the New Client Questionnaire, or calling 978-333-7426.
