Integrative medicine is the combination of mainstream medicine with complementary, alternative therapies such as nutritional, herbal, and hormonal therapies. This approach takes into account every influence on a person’s health whether it be physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, or environmental. When used in the right combinations, these integrative therapies can be effective against many chronic health conditions and can help you establish the highest level of health and wellness.

What is unique about integrative medicine is that it seeks to address the underlying causes of your illness by confronting the condition on a cellular level, rather than at an organ or system level. We tailor each treatment strategy to your unique needs that are based on the results of our comprehensive, individualized testing, health history evaluation, and your personal preferences. Click here to learn more about our approach.

The Carolina Center does not contract with insurance companies, including Medicare/Medicaid/Tricare.  Moreover, although many of our services have been covered by insurance in the past, we can provide no assurance or guarantee that you will receive insurance reimbursement for any of the charges at the Center.  As a courtesy, these charges will be filed with your insurance company if it is determined that you have out-of-network benefits, and you will receive reimbursement from the Center when appropriate.  The main exception is Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), which will not reimburse for services, regardless of whether you have out-of-network benefit status.  In addition, the Carolina Center will not provide BCBS any records for the purpose of insurance determination if requested by the insurance company or the patient.  Finally, the Center has “opted out” of the Medicare program, and Medicare will not reimburse for any fees paid to the Center or the patient.

In summary, your ability to receive insurance reimbursement for any of the charges at the Carolina Center will depend on the specific policies of your insurance carrier.  Except for BCBS and Medicare, many insurance carriers are increasingly willing to provide coverage for integrative medicine, recognizing its emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention (which ultimately translates into lower health care costs over time).  We will work with you as much as possible and plan strategically to minimize costs while hopefully meeting your treatment and health-related goals. Click here to learn more about insurance.

To learn more about payment and fees click here.

Since office visits are scheduled in advanced, we are unable to accommodate walk-ins or schedule appointments with short notice.  We recommend patients secure and/or maintain their relationship with a Primary Care Physician. In the event, an emergency arises, and you are unable to see us immediately, you should see your primary caregiver, who can then call us if our input is needed.  We also encourage you to maintain any established relationship you may have with specialists that may be needed to assist with your medical situation.

The Carolina Center only sees patients 18 and older.

No you do not need a referral however we do require you to submit any recent/relevant medical records for us to review prior to becoming a new patient at our practice. Please visit our Three Step Process for Becoming a New Patient.

Grounded in sound science and a commitment to an individualized approach, the Carolina Center provides you with tools you need for complete healing. The Center provides a diverse array of therapies and educational guidance in the areas of health promotion and preventative medicine. 

Conditions we routinely treat include: Andropause; Atherosclerosis & Disorder of Circulation; Autoimmune disorders (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Crohn’s, and others); Cancer; Chronic fatigue; Chronic Infections & Immune Dysfunction; Degenerative neurological disorders; Diabetes; Fibromyalgia; Hormonal Imbalances; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Lyme Disease; Memory Problems; Menopause; Multiple Chemical Sensitivity/Environmental Allergies; Nutritional Deficiencies; Premature Aging; Overweight and Obesity; and Toxic Metal Overload. Click here for more information about the conditions we treat.

John C. Pittman, MD is an integrative medicine specialist who has been practicing for 35 years. He received his B.S. in Biology in 1980 and completed studies for a master’s degree in biochemistry and microbiology at the University of Georgia in 1982. He received his medical degree from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia in 1986 and attended the Pediatric Residency Program at NC Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, North Carolina with an emphasis on Preventative Medicine. 

Dr. Pittman founded the Carolina Center in 1994 and has enhanced his understanding of integrative medicine through clinical training at the Autism Research Institute and the International Lyme and Associate Diseases Society’s Physician Training Program. He lectured often at the UNC School of Medicine’s Program on Integrative Medicine and serves as a member on the state’s Vector Disease Task Force. Click here to learn more about Dr. Pittman's approach to medicine.

We believe that participating in the orientation session and following the preparatory recommendations we have developed sets the stage for you to achieve the most effective outcome.  We do, however, recognize that some patients need to be seen more quickly or must travel from greater distances and we are willing to work with those individuals to expedite their visit.

Not just for New Patients, the Group Orientation is the best way to obtain more detailed information about the way we evaluate and treat our patients as well as about our office processes and procedures.  We invite everyone to attend the Group Orientation sessions as we believe the information provided will be very valuable and even help established patients to get more out of their experience at the Carolina Center. This is an excellent opportunity for our established patients to invite their friends and family to learn more about the Center and understand more about their treatment process.

During the Group Orientation, you will learn the following:

• What makes the Carolina Center for Integrative Medicine unique compared with conventional medical facilities;

• How we approach health and disease at the cellular and molecular levels rather than the more conventional emphasis on organ systems;

• How we evaluate health status using a variety of laboratory and other testing techniques;

• The various treatment modalities we utilize to help our patients achieve their goals;

• How we utilize diet and nutrition as the foundation of our programs, giving specific instructions as to how to adjust your diet to eliminate any food sensitivities or allergies;

• How our practice operates with explanations about how to schedule appointments, how to contact us if you have questions, how to maximize reimbursement from your insurance company, and other information about the policies and procedures of our office;

• What to expect after starting your treatment plan—for example, what the subsequent 4 to 6 months will be like, and potential timetables for accomplishing your goals.

You will be given dietary and lifestyle recommendations during this Group Orientation, with suggestions for specific steps to take prior to your actual office visit.  We hope these steps will help launch your healing process so that by the time you have your initial office visit, some health benefits already will have been realized.  In short, our intention is not merely to educate you about the Center and our approach, but to give you some initial guidance so that you can get off to a good start and make the most of your experience at the Carolina Center. Click here to learn more about orientation.