To provide customer-oriented, preventative services and medical care in a healing environment by integrating the highest standards of conventional and complementary medicine, and by nurturing the intrinsic healing in the whole person – body, mind, and spirit.
The Center for Life was inaugurated in 2007, as part of the expansion of the Section of Integrative Medicine (2001-2007) at the UNM Health Sciences Center. Integrative Medicine is healing-oriented medicine that takes account of the whole person (mind, body, and spirit), including all aspects of lifestyle. It emphasizes the therapeutic relationship and makes use of all appropriate therapies, both conventional and complementary. CFL receives support from the Department of Internal Medicine, the Health Sciences Center, the New Mexico State Legislature, and individual donors.
As with most academic units, CFL provides clinical service, medical education, research, and community service. These are described in detail throughout this website.
FAQ's
Some FAQ’s about your appointment at CFL: (Also, see the Patient Information section of our web-site for more information on the various modalities offered at CFL.)
What happens in the Integrative Medicine Consultations? These new patient visits are one hour long with either Dr. Kennedy or Dr. Small. The consultations are for specific, already worked-up health problems. If the patient is from outside the UNM/UH system, then copies of the relevant work-up need to be faxed or brought to the clinic, along with the intake packet. These are holistic, integrative consultations that include family medical history, personal medical history, diet, stresses, emotions, exercise, sleep and more, for conditions such as cancer, weight loss, dietary issues, chronic pain, depression, menopausal issue, stress, and many other patient concerns. Remember to fill out the integrative medicine in-take form on our homepage, and bring it to your first appointment
What does the doctor do in the Consultations? The doctor does an assessment not only of the medical condition, but also of the patient’s life (social, emotional, etc.). Recommendations are made for integrating alternative with conventional therapies in a way that is both safe and effective. The focus is on healthy life-style habits. Counseling is done around nutrition, physical activity and mind-body medicine. The doctors will recommend supplements and other therapies when appropriate. Providers will often not prescribe pharmaceuticals, nor order diagnostic studies, deferring to the patient’s PCP for those.
Will the doctor refer me to other services at CFL? Yes, the doctors will often refer their patients to other services at CFL, such as acupuncture or Trigger Point Injections.
What if I develop a new problem after I’m seen at CFL? Since we are a specialty clinic and not a primary care clinic, if a new problem develops after being seen for an Integrative Consultation, then you need to see your PCP to get it evaluated first. You will need a new referral because it is a new problem if you want to be seen at CFL for this new problem.
I have been referred for Trigger Point Injections. What is that? TPI is a system for pain relief dealing with referred pain and its origins. The trigger points are injected with Lidocaine which is a local anesthetic.
Do I need a referral for acupuncture? Yes, you will need a referral for acupuncture. The first visit is 90-minutes, and the follow-up visits are one hour. Remember to fill out the acupuncture in-take form on our homepage, and bring it to your first appointment. Both of our acupuncturists are nationally certified Chinese herbalists, so you may want to consider an herbal consultation. This is still treated like an acupuncture appointment, and needs a referral. Dr. Smith-Fassler also does cosmetic acupuncture. This service is a pay-up-front service and does not need a referral. Call the clinic (925-RING) for more information.
Do I need a referral for the hypnotherapy? No, the Medical Hypnotherapy sessions are pay-up-front. No referral is needed. Call the clinic (925-RING) for more information on prices and offerings. Hypnotherapy is effective for pain relief, anxiety, trouble sleeping, smoking cessation, and many other problems.
Are there massage services at CFL? Yes, our massage therapist is also a physical therapist and has a wide range of therapies to offer. She utilizes a multi-system approach to the body: the nervous system, the body’s musculature, fascia, joints, bones, lymphatic system and visceral (organ) system. She works with the patient and the patient’s goals. The massage is also a pay-up-front service, no referral needed. However, if you are in need of physical therapy (PT), then you will need a referral.
