Integrative Medicine

Integrative Medicine is healing-oriented medicine that encompasses the whole child, including all aspects of lifestyle. It emphasizes the therapeutic relationship and makes use of both conventional and alternative therapies.

Clinic Information

First-time patients will participate in a comprehensive evaluation based on their medical history, physical findings, emotional wellbeing, environment, sleep history, nutrition, and exercise. Then, a specific treatment plan is suggested and discussed.

During the first session, children may receive their first treatment, along with techniques to try at home. An initial consultation will usually last 45-60 minutes. Please note that it may take 6-8 clinic visits to see if a particular therapy is working for your child or to make adjustments to a therapy plan.

Core Principles

  1. To provide a partnership between patient and practitioner in the healing process.
  2. To provide safe and appropriate use of conventional and alternative methods to facilitate the body's innate healing response.
  3. To consider many factors that influence health, wellness and disease, including mind, body, spirit and community.
  4. To recognize that good medicine should be based in good science, be inquiry driven, and be open to new paradigms.
  5. To use natural, effective, less-invasive interventions when possible.

Insurance Information & Discounted Payments

Integrative medicine consultations and therapies may or may not be covered by insurance. Because coverage varies, we encourage patients to check before scheduling an appointment. The standard billing codes used by the Integrative Medicine department are 97124, 97140, 97810, 97811, 97813, 97814. 

Families may elect to pay actual charges in full on the day of service in order to receive a 40% discount. This is the 25% discount for payment at the time of service plus an additional 15% discount for no balance billing needed.

Alternative Therapies for Infants, Children, and Teens

All services in our integrative medicine clinic are provided by clinicians with specialized training and certification in pediatrics. Treatments are tailored to the individual patient and designed specifically for infants, children, and teens. We provide the following therapies:

  • Acupoint Stimulation (Acupuncture, Acupressure, Cupping, Tuina, Shiatsu and Shonishin)
  • Muscle Relaxation Techniques (Massage, Cupping, Tuina, Shiatsu)
  • Nutritional Advice & Herbal Consultations
  • Medical Aromatherapy

Primary Children's Integrative Medicine Team

Karena Luttmer L.Ac, MSOM, Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. Techniques used are acupuncture, acupressure, shonishin, cupping, acumagnets, acubeads. Meeting may also include nutritional advice, some supplemental advice, some basic essential oil advice, environmental changes as well as a treatment that may or may not include a number of techniques: most commonly acupuncture, cupping and placement of acubeads/acumagnets. Acupuncture/Chinese medicine is best used for pain, balancing, emotional issues, digestive issues, immunity, chronic issues.

Charly Candilora, trained massage therapist that specializes in Neuromuscular techniques (massage with some compression and traction techniques). Massage is best used for pain, tightness, emotional calming, digestive issue(constipation). Meeting may also include exercise (homework).

Jody Osteyee, DNP, APRN, CPNP provides aromatherapy consultation to children cared for at Primary Children’s Hospital. She emphasizes the safe use of essential oils to promote comfort and well-being in children experiencing illness and hospitalization. Jody is a Nurse Practitioner and has completed a certificate program in Integrative Aromatherapy.