FAQs

Get answers to common queries about Integrative Medicine and how it can benefit your health journey.

What is Integrative Medicine?

Integrative medicine combines conventional medicine with evidence-based, lifestyle and holistic therapies which are not usually available via the NHS. At the heart of Integrative Medicine is a holistic, whole person and personalised approach to your health and it involves addressing your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs. 

Integrative Medicine seeks to not only address symptoms of disease, but also the root causes of illness (and correct them where possible). 

In addition, Integrative Medicine also focuses on optimising health and wellness. I work with clients to help them feel their best – even in the absence of any diagnosed illness.

These are defined as therapies that seek to treat the whole person – that is the mind, body and spirit of a person.

Examples of such therapies include:

  • Nutrition – including supplements
  • Lifestyle Medicine
  • Acupuncture
  • Functional Medicine
  • Exercise therapy
  • Ayurveda
  • Mind Body Medicine
  • Western Herbal Medicine
  • Hypnotherapy
  • Arts in Medicine
  • Green care
  • Yoga

You are at the centre of the consultation. My role as a doctor is to support you in achieving your health goals.

When you book in for a consultation, I will ask you to complete pre-consultation forms that will provide me with an in-depth understanding and a whole person view of your current health status and wellbeing, your past medical history and your future health goals. You can expect to be asked about diet, exercise, sleep, stress, relationships and significant life events. This information will then be used to guide the direction of the initial consultation so that topics that are important to you are discussed thoroughly. Considering your health beliefs and your lifestyle, I will recommend interventions and therapies that will help you achieve your health goals. If these are agreeable to you, I will suggest a written management plan that will be shared with you after the consultation.

Follow up consultations are to check in with you and your progress towards your health goals and modify the management plan where appropriate.

Yes! Integrative Medicine is suitable for anyone and everyone – any health issue could benefit from an Integrative Medicine approach. Typically clients see me to optimise their health and longevity, improve their symptom control or get help with symptoms that do not have an identified diagnosis or cause.

Here are just a few of the reasons that clients seek Integrative Medicine expertise: –

  • Brain fog
  • Fatigue
  • Lack of energy
  • Obesity
  • Mental health concerns
  • Autoimmunity
  • Metabolic disease – such as diabetes
  • Inflammatory disease – such as inflammatory bowel disease.
  • Cancer and cancer treatment related side effects.
  • Chronic pain
  • Skin disorders
  • Cardiovascular health
  • Digestive disorders
  • Hormonal health – such as menopause.

(this is not an exhaustive list)

Integrative Medicine is already well established as a subspecialty of Medicine in the United States and is offered by some of the largest clinics there. In Europe, Germany and Switzerland are leading in Integrative Medicine services. Although Integrative Medicine is currently not a part of the routine NHS offering, I firmly believe conventional medicine in the UK will change to adopt a similar approach to treating patients in the future. Already, increasing numbers of medical professionals are acknowledging the benefits of an Integrative Medicine approach – with some specialists already using selected holistic therapies in their NHS practice.

If you are happy for me to share information with your doctor, then I will do so when required.

Any nutritional supplements that I may recommend to you will not require a prescription. I will not be issuing any prescribed medications during the consultation – though I can liaise with your GP if they are required.

If I do recommend supplements, I will direct you to the appropriate retailers. Please note I only recommend brands that I believe to be effective.

I completed my degree in Medicine in 2005 at Birmingham University, after which I undertook a further eight years of rigorous training to become an Emergency Medicine Consultant. Since 2013 I have worked as an Emergency Medicine Consultant at both St George’s Hospital in London (you may catch me on a few episodes of Channel 4’s “24 hours in A&E”) and University Hospitals Birmingham. Both trusts are major trauma and tertiary referral centres. Therefore I have extensive experience in managing patients that present with a wide range of conditions and severity. I completed my Masters level Diploma in Integrative Medicine via the National Centre of Integrative Medicine in 2022.

I am listed on the GMC specialist register and I am appropriately indemnified.

During the consultation, I will provide a holistic whole person approach to your health that utilises my wealth of experience in the NHS and my knowledge of other non-conventional therapeutic modalities. Considering your goals, lifestyle and health beliefs I will recommend a strategy that helps you achieve your health targets in collaboration with any existing medical care you may be receiving.

If your management plan requires specialist input (e.g. naturopathy, acupuncture) then I will assist you in finding a credible, professional and registered practitioner.

When seeing an appropriately qualified practitioner, such as myself, the risks are minimal. As a doctor who is trained in both conventional Medicine and Integrative Medicine, I possess the knowledge and skills to be able to consult with a range of clients. I practice ethically and with safeguards. I do not recommend treatments that will not benefit individual clients.

If I do recommend any therapies or treatments, then this will be done after carefully considering both the scientific evidence that supports their use and any possible interactions/interference that may occur with ongoing treatment that a client may be receiving.

My Services

You are at the centre of the consultation. My role as a doctor is to support you in achieving your health goals.

Contact Me

Feel free to reach out to me, let’s start your journey towards optimal well-being together.

The Integrative Medic - Fiona Vij