Category: Naturopathic Medicine

The Division of Health Care Between Mind and Body In modern or conventional medicine, ‘Western’ scientific thinking has led to a deep division between the mind and the body. That is why America and many other countries have distinct mental health and physical health professions. This division of care often leads to incomplete or poorly integrated treatment that neglects either the mind or the body. Counselors and therapists are highly skilled at addressing the mental aspects of many conditions but have few tools to address the physical conditions that affect the mind. On the contrary, syndromes and disorders which cannot be seen on an X-ray, scan, or lab result, are often taken less seriously by Medical Doctors. Individuals with these conditions may feel stigmatized by the health care system. As a result, serious conditions are often underdiagnosed and undertreated, such as: Fibromyalgia Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome Endometriosis Chronic Epstein-Barr Lyme Disease IBS Migraines Chronic pain syndromes Dysmenorrhea (painful or difficult periods) Some of patients with these conditions may be dismissed as being psychosomatic or even face hostility when pursuing treatment. This has become so common that the term psychosomatic has come to erroneously mean fake, made...

Finding the right mental health provider can be challenging, confusing, and overwhelming. There are not enough mental health professionals out there to meet the needs of these challenging times. At least one in four American adults, and one in three teens in the US, have a diagnosable mental health condition. Many providers have waitlists that are booked for months out. The other challenge is that there are so many different types of mental health providers offering wildly different services. It is hard to know which approach and provider is the right fit for each individual’s needs. It’s helpful to understand the differences between a Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Counselor, Life Coach, Primary Care Physician and Naturopathic Doctor. Psychiatrists: Medical Doctors Who Can Prescribe and Manage Medications Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have gone through additional training and board certification in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions. Psychiatrists can prescribe pharmaceuticals and are seen on occasion to manage medications and treatment. As medical doctors, psychiatrists are also skilled in treating physical health conditions as well. Some physician assistants and nurse practitioners take additional training in mental health and may be able manage psychiatric medications. Behavioral Tools and Psychologists Psychologists have completed...

Niacin (vitamin B3) was one of the first drugs that was ever used to improve cholesterol levels. It was frequently used with good results before the introduction of statin medications. Now it is common for conventional medical doctors to tell patients to stop taking niacin and take statins instead. When Statins for High Cholesterol Are Patient Incompatible In 2019, Lipitor was the most prescribed drug in the United States and is still considered the standard of care for anyone with an LDL over 100. Typical statins (lipid-lowering medications) include Crestor (rosuvastatin), Lipitor (atorvastatin), Zocor (simvastatin), Livalo (ptivistatin), Mevacor (lovastatin), and pravastatin (Pravachol). Statins work by blocking an enzyme called HMGCoA reductase. Unfortunately, this mechanism also blocks the body's production of coenzyme Q10. About 25% of patients are statin intolerant or do not fill their prescriptions. The most common symptoms I see are tendinitis, muscle pain, joint pain, elevated blood sugar, and cognitive difficulties. Recent studies point to less benefits from statins in the elderly. In patients who do not tolerate statins well I have had good results with lowering the dose of the statin medication and adding niacin. I sometimes use niacin alone or with a number of other natural...

There has been a resurgence of interest in alternative, holistic, integrative, functional, and natural medicine in America. From Instagram to the Mayo Clinic, there has been a wave of popularity in unconventional approaches to health. But why and why now? What does it even mean for something to be holistic or natural? The current healthcare environment is vague, confusing, and overwhelming at times. To understand modern healthcare, it is important to understand where ideas about health came from. A Holistic View on the Mind, Body, and Spirit The philosopher Descartes asserted nearly 400 years ago that, “I think therefore I am” or “I am a thinking thing”. This led to a dualistic ideal that the mind and the body are separate. This continues to influence Western cultures in the present day. Most neuroscientists view the mind as a collection of “things that think”, specifically neurons and anatomical structures in the brain. This has led some scientists to the conclusion that the mind may not even exist. Traditional systems of world medicine like Ayurvedic medicine, Yoga, and Chinese medicine make little distinction between mind, body, and often the spirit as well. This is a holistic view. Holism also regards the health...

What is biofeedback and how can it be used to treat mental and physical health conditions? To understand why biofeedback is so effective, it is important to assess the relationship between the mind and the body. Everyone has experienced the mind body connection. A certain smell can bring back a long-forgotten memory. A particular song can bring up old feelings. A favorite food can comfort the body. A beautiful view can calm the mind. A loved one’s touch can make us feel relaxed and at ease. Similarly, a depressed mood can make food less flavorful. An anxious mind can make muscles tense and skin more sensitive to pain. When feeling frustrated or tired, irritating noises become intolerable. A memory can evoke a smell out of thin air.   The Ancient Brain at Work Today The ancient parts of the brain use the senses to constantly ask the question, “Am I safe, am I safe, am I safe?” Some sensations reassure us that everything is good. But after a physically, emotionally, or mentally traumatic event, the brain can flag certain sensations as threats. The next time those sensations are experienced, the stress response may be triggered. The body changes in a...