Treatment Modalities
Functional Medicine
Functional medicine is personalized medicine that deals with primary prevention
and underlying causes instead of symptoms for serious chronic disease. It is a science-based
field of health care that is grounded in the following principles:
- Biochemical individuality describes the importance of individual variations in
metabolic function that derive from genetic and environmental differences among
individuals
- Patient-centered medicine emphasizes "patient care" rather than "disease care,"
following Sir William Osler’s admonition that "It is more important to know what
patient has the disease than to know what disease the patient has"
- Dynamic balance of internal and external factors
- Web-like interconnections of physiological factors – an abundance of research
now supports the view that the human body functions as an orchestrated network of
interconnected systems, rather than individual systems functioning autonomously
and without effect on each other. For example, we now know that immunological dysfunctions
can promote cardiovascular disease, that dietary imbalances can cause hormonal disturbances,
and that environmental exposures can precipitate neurologic syndromes such as Parkinson’s
disease
- Health as a positive vitality – not merely the absence of disease
- Promotion of organ reserve as the means to enhance health span
Functional medicine is anchored by an examination of the core clinical
imbalances that underlie various disease conditions. Those imbalances arise as environmental
inputs such as diet, nutrients (including air and water), exercise, and trauma are
processed by one’s body, mind, and spirit through a unique set of genetic predispositions,
attitudes, and beliefs.
The fundamental physiological processes include communication,
both outside and inside the cell; bioenergetics, or the transformation of food into
energy; replication, repair, and maintenance of structural integrity, from the cellular
to the whole body level; elimination of waste; protection and defense; and transport
and circulation. The core clinical imbalances that arise from malfunctions within
this complex system include:
- Hormonal and neurotransmitter imbalances
- Oxidation-reduction imbalances and mitochondropathy
- Detoxification and biotransformational imbalances
- Immune imbalances
- Inflammatory imbalances
- Digestive, absorptive, and microbiological imbalances
- Structural imbalance
Wholistic Nutrition
Wholistic Nutrition looks at a person with the recognition that each of us is different
and requires different amounts of protein, fats, vitamins, and other nutrients to
help his body reach maximum energy levels and overall physical and emotional health
Our body is designed to work synergistically, working in harmonious cooperation
to create a delicate balance. The synergetic action of the food we eat, the water
we drink and the many other life style choices we make on a daily basis determine
the over all health of our bodies.
Holism (or Synergism) is the simultaneous actions of separate agencies, which together
have a greater effect than the sum of their individual effects. Think of it this
way: one man standing alone on a baseball field can only throw the ball for him
self, however with the help of the whole team they can win the game and even the
world series. This is how all the individual aspects of our body functions and daily
dietary routines work in synergy: either struggling alone to fight a battle or working
as a team to maintain balance and health. The goal is to use nature’s healing power
to address the needs of the whole person. With the understanding that prevention
is the best way to maintain health and wellness.
The basic principles of Wholistic nutrition are:
- Eating whole unrefined foods, as close as possible to their natural state
- Eating a wide variety of local foods in their season
- Eating a diet that promoted longevity in your ancestors
- Eating according to the needs of your own unique biochemistry
Healthy eating habits do not have to be boring, restrictive or bland. Herbs, spices
and condiments are used to flavor foods and to create tasty, satisfying and healthy
dishes. I strongly believe that a diet based on natural, organic, wholesome food,
consumed in balance will provide the nutrients that you need to keep degenerative
and chronic disease at bay, restore optimal health, internal balance, and help you
manifest the life that you were meant to live.
Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicine is a clinical modality based upon using plant derived medicines
as therapeutic tools. It is one of the oldest methods of healing on the planet with
a history of over 100,000 years of continuous use.
Herbs are not drugs, and herbal medicine is not based upon the premises of mainstream
biomedicine with its disease/pathology centered approach. Botanical medicine is
an individual-centered therapeutic art, based upon an understanding of the vital
force and its inherent healing properties, with a deep passion and respect for the
gifts of plant medicines. The underlying tenet of Wholistic Herbalism is to treat
the person, not the disease. Thus when we practice Herbalism we attempt to treat
the whole person, body, mind and spirit as well as operating within the recognized
influence of family, community and society. We address diet, exercise, stress management,
lifestyle and relationship issues and other individual concerns as well as the general
disease states and particular pathologies that people present with. Wholistic approach
of herbal medicine acknowledges its ancestry in the wisdom of wise women, shaman
and itinerant healers, as well as the great documented traditions of Chinese, Ayurvedic,
Unani, Greco-Roman, and European Eclectic Medicine.
Herbal medicine is proven effective in assisting the body to heal from an amazing
variety of complaints and diseases. Professional Clinical Herbalists can be of assistance
in many health concerns from simple coughs and colds to more serious conditions.
Herbs may be especially effective in chronic conditions and in cases requiring tonic,
nourishing and revitalizing medicines.
Herbs supports the life force in a unique way, that is still, in some ways, a mystery.
Herbs are effective because plants, like all living organisms, are imbued with the
same vital intelligent life force that aminates the human body. When the right herb
is used by n experienced practitioner its vital life force works synergistically
with that of the person, bringing deep healing in many levels. New science has allowed
us to research plant life in way never before imagined, to discover, research and
document thousands of compounds. Nevertheless, we may never fully understand in
a fully scientific way how herbs help us heal. The spirit of herbal medicine is
the foundation of my work. With each day that pass I am drawn deeper into the world
of plants that so humbly exists as our food and medicine.
Flower Essences
Flower essences are dilute extracts of various types of flowers and plants. They
are similar to homeopathic remedies in that they are diluted and potentized to make
them more effective. Flower essences are not to be confused with essential oils
(which are a very concentrated, and usually should not be ingested)
The person who first developed the original flower remedies was Dr. Edward Bach,
a famous English physician. He developed the Bach Flower Remedies and devoted the
last years of his life to researching and developing his remedies, from 1930 onwards.
Dr. Bach believed that diseases of the body come about as a result of imbalances
or negativity at the level of the soul, and by correcting the problem healing would
result and the body would heal on all levels.
Flower remedies and essences have many and varied uses, Flower essences can help
us recognize, resolve, or release different conditioned ways of perceiving the world
and can help us experience greater well-being and harmony in our lives. By creating
harmony within us, we often notice distinct changes in ourselves physically, emotionally,
and spiritually.
Flower essences do not overwhelm or force something to happen. They do, however,
help us become conscious of things that are already happening with ourselves. As
a result, sometimes we may have an awareness with which we are uncomfortable.
The essences affect a shift in consciousness, and each person may experience the
effects differently. To recognize how they are working, it is necessary to observe
our inner state. The more attuned we are to our inner life; the easier it is to
recognize the flower essence's effects.
Subsequent to Bach's work other Flower Essence Societies have been formed and remedies
have been developed in other areas of the world, among them are the: California
Flower Essences society, The Alaskan Flower Essence society, The Australian Bush
flower essences the Desert and many others. I was trained with Jane Bell the co-founder
of the Alaskan Flower essences society and in the use of the California flower essences.