Your Comments: Responses from an MD, DC, 2 NDs, Holistic Nurse, Yoga Teacher and 2 Entrepreneurs
Written by John Weeks
Your Forum: Comments from an MD, DC, 2 NDs, Holistic Nurse, Yoga Teacher and 2 Business Types
Summary: Karen Lawson, MD, on the value of functional medicine for opening conventional MDs to integrative practice; educator Beth Wooten Pimental, ND, on educational issues begged by the column by Marty Rossman, MD; Linda Bark, RN, notes the absence of integral nursing in the upcoming IHPM employer conference; James Winterstein, DC, gives kudos to acupuncture physician James Saylor, AP, for comments on patient -focused care; Jacob Schor, ND, FABNO on a previous reference of Winterstein to what is properly called the "whole Megillah;" CAM entrepreneur Taylor Walsh fills out the Integrator Top 10 with an excellent post; and then, non-typical Integrator fare from adviser Michael Levin and Jessica Noggle, PhD, RYT regarding emerging research in contamination of our water supply.
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Karen Lawson, MD: functional medicine as bridge
1. Karen Lawson, MD: The bridging role of functional medicine for conventional MDs
"Additionally,
I just returned from spending the week at the latest Institute for Functional
Medicine(IFM) conference in LA. Patrick Hannaway [MD] and Bethany Hays [MD] were among
the excellent faculty members. While I have been resistant to Functional
Medicine for years (as a recovering biochemist) I must admit to being
pleasantly surprised by the heart and wholeness demonstrated in both their
institutional philosophy and in the individual’s presentations.
"It was a revelation to me
that functional medicine
may be just the stepping
stone, being very physical
and scientific, that may
allow volumes of physicians
to begin to step away from
the reductionistic paradigm."
- Lawson
"It also
was a revelation to me that functional medicine may be just the stepping
stone, being very physical and scientific, that may allow volumes of physicians
to begin to step away from the diagnosis-based, reductionistic paradigm that
continues to be the basis for conventional medical training and practice.
It is a relatively easy step into a practice that naturally lends itself to
interdisciplinary, integrative practice styles—and ultimately holism.
"Given the recent move of the Board [of the American Board of Holistic Medicine] to rename [it as American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine-ABIHM] which I think is a good
one, and with Patrick [Hannaway] as the Pres. Elect of ABIHM, I think this would be
really good time to include IFM in the organizations that AHMA is building
bridges with. The leaders of IFM, David Jones[MD] andDan Lucazer [ND] would, I
believe, be very interested. It also is really another population of docs
who, in the majority, have not heard of the AHMA at all."
Karen Lawson, MD
Center for Spirituality and Health
University of Minnesota School of Medicine
Beth Wootne Pimentel, ND: implications for quality integrative education
2. Beth Wooten Pimentel, ND: Rossman suggests direction in practitioner education
"A wise doctor once told me that the healing interaction between a doctor and
patient has very little to do with the letters behind your name and everything
to do with who you are as a person. Dr. Rossman captures this concept
beautifully when he describes the healing effect deriving from 'the interacting belief systems of practitioner and
patient, which is held, molded and supported by the nature of their
relationship on both human and archetypal levels.' As I read his
comments, I found myself nodding in agreement and, yet, all the while I was
thinking, as you reflected, that if this is 'real, human, integrative health
care,' then how do we translate these concepts into the education and training
of integrative health practitioners? This question has dogged me for
years, first as a naturopathic/midwifery student atBastyr [University] and, currently, as
an instructor at University of Bridgeport.
"The current educational
paradigm does not
support
the kind of experiential
learning that may be more
conducive to
integrative
medicine."
- Pimentel
"While I by no means have the answer, I do have a couple of thoughts on the
matter. The first is that the current educational paradigm does not
support the kind of experiential learning that may be more conducive to
integrative medicine. Case-based learning and other interactive teaching
methods take time – both on the part of the student and instructors – something
which may not be allowed for in the program. And yet, I think these are
important strategies to bring into the classroom. Wellness, preventative,
and other outpatient-based practices do not necessarily provide the structure
within which 'rounds' can be conducted - a key element of conventional
medical education. A radical shift is needed, but where to begin?
"Secondly, there is little, if any, attention paid to practitioner preparation -
supporting the processes of refinement, self-inquiry, and becoming rooted in
the medicine. While we excel, to varying degrees, in teaching the
material and modalities involved in the practice of integrative medicine, we
neglect the vessel through which the medicine will be practiced. The more
we foster the grounded-ness of the practitioner, the more the practitioner is
able to hold the space for the patient’s innate healing abilities. Along
the same lines, I recently read an article about teaching children how to play
chess. The instructor suggested having the players sit on their hands to
minimize the chances of making impulsive moves. This is a
no-brainer for midwives who know how to sit on their hands and patiently wait
for nature’s wisdom to unveil her mysteries. Just because we have the
tools doesn’t mean that we have to use them. The healing effect is there
in spades if we can bring ourselves to be still, be present, and let be.
"Thanks for opening the dialogue - I eagerly await the wisdom of your readers."
Beth Wotton Pimentel, ND University of Bridgeport, Naturopathic Medicine Bridgeport, Connecticut
Linda Bark, RN: integral coaching
3. Linda Bark, RN: Why is integral coaching not in the employer conference?
Linda Bark, RN, is a holistic nurse who operates a holistic coaching business, AsOne Coaching Institute. She was last seen here commenting on the new NCCAM leadership.
"Where is
holistic/integral coaching in your conference? (IHPM Conference to Cross-Fertilize Employer and Integrative Health Care: March 31-April 2, Orlando, February 4, 2008). Companies have been
and are hiring coaches to work with those most at risk for disease and having
some success. Kaiser's only slogan
now is "Thrive" and they have health educators providing
services at most of their clinics. Coaching for prevention and for high
risk would seem like a key intervention in the type of health care that you are
exploring."
Linda Bark, RN
AsOne Coaching Institute
James Wintrestein, DC
4. James Winterstein, DC: "Take care of your patients and they'll take care of you"
James Winterstein, DC, is the president of National University of Health Sciencesin Lombard, Illinois. His university, with DC, AOM and ND programs, is the subject of an Integrator feature, accessible here.
'Our thing in our office is, get the patient
better, don't worry about the money. Most of these people are considerably
different than our usual, cash patients. They wouldn't have an opportunity to
see us if it weren't for the program. I came from a family that didn't have
access to any of this. I never turn away a client that can't pay me." [Then
he corrected himself]: "I only would if the patient was non-compliant and didn't
show up."
"If all healers returned to this kind of thinking, the world would be a
different place. Additionally, the healers would be well taken care of in the
process. It is a basic principle that we used to understand, but which seems
lost by many today.
"I spoke recently with an alumnus (chiropractic physician)
of National University from the 50s. He practices in Kentucky in a small town
of 450 people. He has been there for 48 years and has provided over 400,000
patient visits. He still charges a simple office call which has finally reached
the price of $20.00. He has, over the years accumulated significant land which
he intends to leave in the hands of a major university for their agricultural
program. His concern continues to be for the people he serves and is setting up
a not-for-profit foundation to assure that his clinic remains viable after his
passing. "Take care of your patients and they will take care of you."
Jim Winterstein, DC, President
National University of Health Sciences
Lombard, Illinois
Michael Levin
5. Jacob Schor, ND, FABNO: a little education on the "whole Megillah"
Some time back, Winterstein, who wrote the prior comment, above, added his perspective on a prior posting on whether or not naturopathic physicians should speak of their academic training as "medical school." This stimulated one of his fellow commentators, Jacob Schor, ND, FABNO, to give many of us a little education. Schor also writes an excellent, thoughtful newsletter, available on his practice site.
"These 'blogs' of yours are just getting more and more entertaining. "Since this entire line of discussion is about semantics, I had to laugh though
at the comment of the eminent Dr. Winterstein who suggested that: 'NDs should go for the 'whole magilla' and brook no interference from
anyone. They are part of the medical profession just as we are. We just
function in 'adjectively defined' areas that are different than allopathy.' "As much as I appreciate the sentiment, the good doctor is apparently mixing up
his tamales with his megillahs. The later term comes from the Hebrew
Megillah, shortened to the Yiddish megile, referring to a scroll, usually the
scroll of the story of Esther. The story or scroll is read on the
holiday of Purim. It's a long story. Once the 'whole Magillah' is read,
the real party begins. In slang, the whole magillah, refers to the whole
story. Getting the whole magillah is hearing the whole story, sometimes
in more detail than one needs. "A tamale on the other hand is a traditional Mexican food made by wrapping a
corn meal mush made from ground corn and lime, some filling (typically spiced
meat) in a dried corn husk and then steaming the stuff. Or perhaps it's the
whole Burrito. All nine yards of it.
"Keep up the entertaining and good work."
Comment: And here's to your own elements of entertainment, Jacob!
Taylor Walsh nominates Health 2.0
6. Walsh provides #10 to the Integrator Top 10, plus Oprah, an Uncle and a flattering nomination
When I published by Top 10 from 2007 as we enter 2008, I asked readers to supply #10. The winning response I received for #10 to add to my list came from Taylor Walsh, a Washington, DC-based "CAMpreneur," in this excellent posting.
"The
web presence of alternative and integrative health will emerge from the depths
of the best known health portals like WebMD and EverydayHealth to amplify what
we've seen in recent months with the Oprah/Oz collaboration that John noted and
last week's cover story in US News & World Report. (And about 10
minutes ago on NBC I watched Al Roker observe an Ayurvedic treatment.)
"The health-web-consumer dynamic is coalescing into what is being called 'Health 2.0,' and is sporting the clever tag
line 'User Generated Healthcare' (a borrowing from 'user generated content' which defines all Web 2.0 sites like
FaceBook). At the moment this emerging community and its agenda
include little explicit reference to integrative health, but this is a cohort
of webified practitioners who love to blow up - in a positive way - recalcitrant
industries. http://www.health2con.com/sandiego.html
"It would be worthwhile for the CAM/IM community to lash
itself to the Health 2.0 crowd, many of whose people have alternativity in
their DNA, in order to strengthen the bond between practitioners and
patient/client consumers."
Alas, his was the only substantive response. I received three quick responses from close to home. My eldest sister Pamela Weeks, MA, a psychotherapist for 40 years, wrote: "Your top '9' was especially thoughtful about the Oprah/Oz connection ... and the church of Oprah having to do with wellness and health." Then longtime friend and former colleague, Charlie Priester (who many Integrator readers will know from my partnership with him on the hard-copy Integrator, 1998-2001) picked up the same theme, writing of the Oprah/Mehmet Oz, MD team: "Oprah is god. Oz is good (and, if Oprah married Deepak
Chopra, she'd be Oprah Chopra). I've caught some of their shows over [my spouse's]
shoulder (although I missed the acupuncture one) and they are an excellent
team." Priester, ever the loyal friend, then nominated the existence of the Integrator as his #10. Thanks, Chas!
Finally, from my Mother's brother, Thomas Roland, MD, a retired orthopedic surgeon who favors my commentary writing style over that in my more conventionally reported material:
"Some great stuff this past issue, especially theIntegrator Top 10, which allows greater exposure of
your style and personality - always a good thing in my
humble opinion. But then I'm prejudiced."
Thomas Roland, MD
Oxnard, California
Comment: Ahhh, the love and support from family ...
7. Michael Levin: Water Supply Under Assault – Implications for
Public Health, Food Supply
Integrator adviser and columnist Michael Levinsent me a note earlier this month with his brief article, below, on airborne contaminants, and a comment that it wasn't typical Integrator fare but wondered if I might publish something. Shortly after that the news broke of pharmaceuticals showing up in our water supply. Researcher and Yoga teacher Jessica Noggle, PhD, RYT, subsequently sent me a note with a link to a related story. Together they are a discomforting coupling.
"The National Parks Services recently published the
results from a 6 year, multi-agency study of airborne contaminants found
bioaccumulating in western US national parks. It was initiated to determine
risk to ecosystems and food webs. The press release and access to the final
report (>25 megs) can be found here.
"Of 100 persistent organic pollutants (POPs) studied, 70
were found to be widely distributed. Mercury, dieldrin and DDT (neurotoxins,
reproductive toxins and immune suppressants) were found even in the most remote
places studied. Mercury concentrations found in fish in Alaska’s Noastak
National Preserve were above the EPA human health threshold for consumption.
Dieldrin concentrations in Rocky Mountain, Sequoia, Kings Canyon and Glacier
exceeded the health threshold for recreational fishermen (i.e, 2.3
meals/month). Average DDT concentrations in fish exceeded the human risk
threshold for subsistence fishers at Sequoia, Kings Canyon and at one lake in
Glacier National Park.
"This report details widespread
bioaccumulation of these
toxins
in our 'pristine' wilderness areas."
- Levin
"This report details widespread bioaccumulation of these
toxins in our 'pristine' wilderness areas. What about our cities? What about
our food supply? To what degree are these persistent toxins impacting public
health? "Mindful practitioners of integrative medicine have been
aware of these environmental challenges for years. Yet, this remains a
generally under-recognized issue on Main Street, USA. In my little corner of
the universe, this report underscores the need for rigorous inspection of
dietary ingredients used to manufacture dietary supplements. "Consider: Dieldrin was banned from use in the US in 1987.
DDT was banned in 1972 but was still produced and used in China, as of
2004. Why? 'China can
produce some alternatives to POPs but farmers and businesses are reluctant to
use them because the prices are too high' said Zhang Qingfeng, an official with
China’s State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA). "Let the buyer, and wilderness fishermen, beware."
Michael D. Levin,
Founder
Health Business Strategies
Clackamas, OR
97015
Now, from Noggle, the researcher and Yoga teacher:
"I thought
you might find [this news story]an interesting reason to garner support for the CAM
movement. Big Pharma may not like it, but I'm sure they're
already against CAM from the beginning!
"In grad school I worked at a
USGS center that participated (still participates) in the fish collections and
analyses at Lake Mead, and I'm a member of SETAC (the prof. society referenced
in the article) where there are increasing numbers of studies reported on
environmental effects of pharmaceuticals. I also know the group who conducted
the ethinyl estradiol lake experiment, they do top-notch research for
Environment Canada. I should caution that the work on pharmaceuticals is
relatively new, so the puzzle is still being pieced together."
Jessica
J. Noggle, PhD, RYT
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