U.S. health practitioners gather for latest information on integrative healthcare

As fashion lovers flock to the New York Fashion Week unveiled on Thursday, over 1,100 healthcare professionals and practitioners of integrative healthcare gathered on the same day in the Big Apple for the 2012 Integrative Healthcare Symposium, sharing the latest information and practices on the betterment of the human body, mind and soul. "At this year's event, attendees will be able to hear from more than 56 experts and leaders representing several disciplines in integrative healthcare. All are eager to share their latest practical applications to enhance patient care and knowledge on today's most critical topics," said Liz Plizga, show director of the symposium which brings together multi-disciplinary healthcare professionals dedicated to improving patient care and defining the future of integrative healthcare. Nationally recognized experts and practitioners in areas of women's health, environmental health, mind body medicine, functional medicine and homeopathy will give talks on nutrition, integrative cardiology, hormones, pain management, mind body spirit during more than 40 sessions, workshops and seminars. There are also spotlight sessions, experiential workshops and movement classes, as well as a two-day exhibition with over 150 companies showcasing their latest clinically relevant products and services including nutritional supplements, functional foods and medicines, homeopathic and naturopathic products, face and body care products, equipment, wellness centers and clinics. Participants to the three-day event will have access to the most relevant evidence-based research, cutting edge content and peer networking with like-minded practitioners in integrative medicine. Integrative healthcare is a holistic approach that combines conventional Western medicine with alternative or complementary treatments such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage, biofeedback, yoga, and stress reduction techniques, to treat the whole person, not just the disease. The symposium, which is now in its eighth year, is one of the largest and most recognized integrative healthcare conferences in North America, serving all disciplines across the complementary, alternative, integrative, and functional medicine community.