The Time Has Come: Holistic Medicine

photo of young

January 29, 2021

Over the last two decades, there has been a shift toward a more holistic approach to patient treatment.  Wellness is a booming industry, and research shows that there is a strong trend in the healthcare sector towards Integrative and Lifestyle Medicine.  Lifestyle Medicine is defined by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) as “the use of a whole food, plant-predominant dietary lifestyle, regular physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances and positive social connection as a primary therapeutic modality for treatment and reversal of chronic disease.” 

The ACLM reports more than 400% growth in membership in the past four years.  700 physicians, registered nurses, and PhD/Master’s-level health practitioners are now ACLM diplomates.  The ACLM suggests that while rates of chronic disease have reached an all-time high, many of the costliest conditions could be treated more effectively with an Integrative/Lifestyle Medicine approach. 

A 2019 article from the Midland Reporter-Telegram makes a strong case for investment in this combined approach:  “Lifestyle medicine is an evidence-based approach shown to prevent, treat and reverse disease.  It treats the underlying cause of disease rather than its symptoms that are too often addressed with ever-increasing quantities of pills and procedures.  It is important to delineate the distinction that lifestyle medicine is not just preventive medicine, but it offers therapeutic lifestyle interventions for the treatment and reversal of existing chronic diseases.”

Many Lifestyle Medicine practitioners are osteopathic doctors, and Gray’s job postings data calls attention to osteopathy as a highly desirable skill.  An osteopathic physician uses both conventional medicine and osteopathic manipulation, focused on relieving pain and tension in the musculoskeletal system. 


GrayData:  Job Postings for Physicians by Skill

Gray Data on Job Posting for Holistic Medicine

Gray Associates

Gray Associates, Inc. provides the best available data, software, and facilitated processes to help higher education institutions make high-stakes decisions regarding academic programs, pricing, and locations.

About Gray DI

Gray DI provides data, software and facilitated processes that power higher-education decisions. Our data and AI insights inform program choices, optimize finances, and fuel growth in a challenging market – one data-informed decision at a time.

Related Posts
Subscribe to Our Blog

Don’t miss our latest research and insights

Related Posts

Gray Data

The AI Education Boom: Masters Lead the Charge, Community Colleges Join the Fray

AI education is booming—and it’s not just for tech giants or elite institutions. From soaring master’s degree enrollment to cutting-edge associate programs at community colleges, schools across the country are rapidly expanding AI offerings to meet rising employer demand. Explore the data behind this surge, the surprising role of community colleges, and what institutions should know to stay ahead in preparing tomorrow’s AI workforce.

Read More
Gray Data

Business As Usual? Not Exactly.

Business degrees remain a cornerstone of higher education, but recent trends show student expectations and institutional strategies are shifting. With MBA applications rising in 2024 and flexible, tech-integrated formats gaining momentum, schools are adapting to meet evolving workforce demands. From AI-enhanced curricula to dual degrees and online options, what’s fueling renewed interest in business education—and how are institutions responding?

Read More
Gray Data

BSN-Prepared Nurses Are Vital to Better Patient Outcomes

The demand for BSN-prepared nurses is rising—and with good reason. As healthcare systems seek to improve patient outcomes and meet evolving workforce expectations, nursing education is under increasing pressure to keep pace. But recent trends reveal a complex picture. From shifting enrollment patterns to growing capacity challenges, there’s more beneath the surface than meets the eye.

Read More