Integrative medicine is a type of primary care practiced at Equinox and a system of health care practiced by medical doctors that supports health and wellness from the perspective of body, mind, and spirit integration. With balance comes well being; health can be nurtured, and benefits reaped. Integrative medicine practitioners blend Western medicine with other healing traditions to optimize improvement, and minimize risk and side effects. In partnership with their patients, practitioners devise treatment plans with careful attention to their effectiveness and safety. Physicians may recommend other complimentary health practitioners be consulted as part of the therapeutic plan.
Modalities of treatment:
Following a thorough medical evaluation, your physician will work with you to develop a specific strategy to assist your health goals. Specific modalities may include:
Mind-body medicine: Through the use of mind-body therapies, a relaxation response is initiated; the mind-body continuum is engaged to effect desired health outcomes. Approaches include guided imagery, visualization, meditation, martial arts, and hypnosis.
Acupuncture: This traditional therapy, with origins in China over 2,000 years ago, works with the body's vital energy to effect renewed balance. The World Health Organization (WHO), and more recently the National Institutes of Health, have recognized acupuncture as reasonable treatment for certain health conditions.
Herbal/Botanical medicine: The healing powers of plants have long been recognized, and many modern day pharmaceuticals have origins as plant products. As research continues, the benefits of quality herbal products become more widely known and utilized in health promotion.
Nutritional: The importance of diet, and specific nutrients, are more widely understood for their role in health and wellness. Through dietary changes or modifications, or in some instances specific supplements, a desired health goal may be achieved.
Our providers of integrative medicine and primary care are Gail Wingate, ARNP and Peter Degnan, MD.
Gail Wingate, ARNP:
Gail is a graduate of Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions, as a family nurse practitioner. Her previous nursing experience has included work as a correctional nurse, and as a staff nurse at MGH. Prior to entering nursing, Gail worked as a holistic health practitioner at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Lenox, Massachusetts and in her own private practice in Portland, Maine. Her practice includes integrated therapeutic bodywork techniques, stress management, breath coaching and emotional processing integration.
In addition, she has training in homeopathy, is a Reiki Master, a prana yoga teacher, and has advanced training in Trager and Craniosacral therapies.
Gail is accepting new patients for integrative medicine and primary care and health consultation by referral.
Peter Degnan, MD:
Dr. Degnan is an Integrative Medicine physician at Equinox. A New England native, Dr. Degnan is a graduate of Georgetown University School of Medicine. He completed his postgraduate family medicine residency at Mercy Medical Center in Denver, Colorado.
His interest in alternative and complementary approaches to health began early in his medical training, enriched by valued mentors and colleagues. Professional interests include botanical/herbal medicine, the mind-body continuum, and medical acupuncture. He resides in Exeter with his wife and two children.
Dr. Degnan is accepting new patients for integrative medicine and primary care and health consultation by referral.
Learn more about Dr. Degnan
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