Isabel Giralt Sampedro

Biography and Expertise of Isabel Sampedro

Dr. Isabel Sampedro has dedicated her career to building credible, evidence-based bridges between conventional medicine and traditional practices, particularly acupuncture. Her professional journey is defined by a dual commitment: providing patient-centered care in her clinics and championing the formal recognition of integrative medicine within Spain’s official medical institutions. This approach directly embodies the 3rd WCTCIM’s thematic axis, “Integration of TCIM into Health Systems.”

Her work is a practical application of the congress motto pillar of “Knowledge Diversity.” By holding leadership roles in organizations like the Official Medical College of Barcelona, Dr. Sampedro actively works to ensure that different healing modalities are understood, respected, and evaluated with scientific rigor within the dominant healthcare paradigm. Therefore, she is instrumental in translating the principles of the Gujarat Declaration into tangible action, promoting a healthcare model where validated traditional and complementary practices are not seen as alternatives, but as integral components of a holistic public health strategy.

Furthermore, the efforts of Isabel Sampedro in promoting dialogue and establishing standards are crucial for implementing the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034. Her leadership provides a blueprint for how other nations can navigate the complex process of integrating TCIM, ensuring that it is done safely, effectively, and sustainably for the benefit of all.

Professional Career

Dr. Isabel Sampedro’s professional career is a testament to her pioneering vision for an integrated healthcare landscape. Her trajectory demonstrates a seamless blend of hands-on clinical work with high-impact institutional advocacy, allowing her to influence both patient care and national health policy. This dual focus has positioned her as a key architect of integrative medicine in Spain.

Each role she has undertaken has been a strategic step toward embedding TCIM within mainstream medical settings. Beyond her private practice, she has successfully established acupuncture services in a major university hospital, a clear demonstration of her integration-focused mission.

• 2019 – Present: President of the Sociedad Española de Salud y Medicina Integrativa (SESMI), where she leads the premier national organization dedicated to advancing the science and practice of integrative medicine.
• 2018 – Present: Director of the Acupuncture Unit at Dexeus Mujer University Clinic, integrating acupuncture into specialized women’s health services, including fertility and oncology support.
• 2014 – Present: Vice-president of the Complementary Treatments Section at the Official Medical College of Barcelona, a critical role influencing the medical establishment’s stance on TCIM from within.
• 1998 – Present: Medical Director of the ENERGIMED Clinic in Barcelona, her foundational practice where she has developed and refined her clinical approach to acupuncture and integrative medicine for over two decades.

Academic Qualifications

The academic foundation of Dr. Isabel Sampedro is a deliberate fusion of rigorous conventional medical training and specialized university-level education in a traditional healing modality. This unique combination provides her with the credibility and language to communicate effectively with conventional medical professionals, while also giving her the deep, nuanced understanding required to practice acupuncture at the highest level. Her education is the cornerstone of her evidence-based approach to integrative health.

This dual expertise allows her to design clinical protocols and research studies that respect the principles of traditional medicine while meeting the stringent demands of modern science. Consequently, her academic background serves as a model for the type of cross-disciplinary training needed to develop future leaders in integrative medicine.

• Master of Acupuncture, Barcelona University: This advanced degree from a prestigious public university signifies a high level of academic rigor in her TCIM training, distinguishing it from less formal programs and reinforcing its legitimacy within the academic medical community.
• Medical Doctor: Her foundational degree in medicine provides her with the comprehensive knowledge of physiology, pathology, and pharmacology necessary to practice safely and effectively, and to understand where and how integrative therapies can best be applied.

Research and Publications

Dr. Isabel Sampedro actively contributes to the scientific literature, focusing on research that validates the clinical applications of acupuncture within conventional medical settings. Her work is a direct response to the global call for more robust evidence, as outlined in the Gujarat Declaration, and aligns with the 3rd WCTCIM’s axis on “Contributions of TCIM to Global Public Health (Evidence-Based).” Her research provides the data necessary for clinicians and policymakers to make informed decisions about integrating these therapies.

Her publications serve two main purposes: to demonstrate clinical efficacy and to analyze the strategic landscape of integrative medicine. This approach ensures her contributions are relevant to both practicing clinicians and healthcare administrators. Therefore, her work helps build a stronger scientific foundation for TCIM.

Key Research Areas:

• Pain and Anxiety Management in Women’s Health: Her 2022 randomized controlled study, “Acupuncture for pain and anxiety in the oocyte retrieval procedure,” published in Acupuncture in Medicine, exemplifies her focus. It provides crucial evidence for using acupuncture to improve patient experience and outcomes in fertility treatments.
• Healthcare Policy and Integration: In her 2020 paper, “Current Situation of Integrative Medicine in Spain,” Isabel Sampedro provides a critical analysis of the challenges and progress in her home country. This work contributes to the broader strategic conversation about how to successfully integrate TCIM into national health systems.

Board and Committee Activities

Dr. Isabel Sampedro’s influence is amplified by her active participation in diverse professional organizations (national, European, global). These leadership roles demonstrate her commitment to fostering collaboration, setting standards, and advancing integrative medicine via institutional channels. Her presence ensures integrative health’s perspective is represented in key medical and policy discussions.

Through this network, she works to create a cohesive, regulated environment for TCIM practice and research. Her committee work is fundamental to building the institutional infrastructure for sustainable integration.

• President, Sociedad Española de Salud y Medicina Integrativa (SESMI): As leader of Spain’s foremost integrative medicine society, she guides its strategic direction and public advocacy.
• Vice-president, Complementary Treatments Section, Official Medical College of Barcelona: This influential position allows her to shape the dialogue and policies regarding TCIM within an official body of physicians.
• Executive Board Member, European Society of Integrative Medicine (ESIM): In this role, she contributes to the development and promotion of integrative medicine across Europe, fostering international collaboration.
• Observatory Member, International Council of Medical Acupuncture and Related Techniques (ICMART): Her involvement connects her with global leaders in medical acupuncture, contributing to worldwide standards and research.
• Board Member, NPO Acupuncture for the World: This position reflects her commitment to the humanitarian application of acupuncture, promoting access to care for underserved populations.

Connect with Dr. Sampedro

To further explore the work and professional activities of Dr. Isabel Sampedro, a variety of online resources are available. These platforms offer detailed information on her clinical practice, her academic publications, and her leadership roles in advancing integrative medicine in Spain and beyond.

LinkedIn Profile: Connect with Isabel Sampedro on LinkedIn

Official Profile at Dexeus Mujer: View Clinical Profile

ENERGIMED Clinic: Visit the Official Clinic Website