Digestion: It takes guts
A few years ago, I had an interesting chat with one of our local medical doctors, who has since left the area. He referred to himself as an alternative medical doctor. He was a good doctor. This memorable day as we were chatting, he suddenly said “Are you curious about how I became interested in alternative medicine?” I said “Sure!” So he began a very lengthy discussion about a chain of events that got him thinking about how he was practicing medicine.
It all started with a woman complaining of heartburn and reflux. He had given her one prescription after another in an attempt to bring her symptoms under control, all to non-avail. On one particular visit, he handed her yet another prescription, and as he was handing it to her, he “thought about it” and realized that giving an acid-suppressing medication was actually contrary to what she really needed. He took the prescription back and sent her to the health food store to get a particular supplement. He was surprised that after years of doing the same protocol, he was questioning whether or not it was really the best course of action. After all, he was following “established” protocols all these years!
He waited anxiously to hear the results, wondering if he just made a fool out of himself. Sure enough, the patient came back – with total resolution of her symptoms! He was genuinely relieved. Shortly thereafter, another patient with a different digestive issue came to him and “after thinking about it” he decided to try the same thing. He was equally gratified with the results.
Getting some courage, he branched out with different digestive disorders, as well as some other conditions. He’d “think about it,” think through the physiology of it, then decide on a more natural approach; one that felt more in harmony with what the body was needing, rather than simply suppressing the symptom(s). He recounted to me 6 distinct turning-point patients as he was learning a new approach to resolving these medical conditions.
I chidingly said “So, you’re learning to think!” He literally jumped back two steps, eyes wide open in astonishment that I had the audacity to say such a thing to him! I laughed at his reaction and said “Think about it. In every case you recounted, midway you would say “and I thought about it…” “You’re learning to think!” He stopped and we talked about how medicine is so much about following protocols today. When a doctor deviates from established protocols, he is subject to peer review. That’s not a good thing.
We talked about the difference between resolving issues via exploration of what the body is missing to be able to heal itself, versus the established protocols of suppressing the symptom – making the patient more comfortable. While that definitely has its value, resolving the underlying issue is so much more important.
Learn more, attend tonight’s class, “Overcoming Digestive Challenges,” 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 23 at Vital Health in Coeur d’Alene. Fee: $10. RSVP: (208) 765-1994.
Holly Carling is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist, Doctor of Naturopathy, Clinical Nutritionist and Master Herbologist with nearly four decades of experience. She is currently accepting new patients and offers natural health care services and whole food nutritional supplements in her Coeur d’Alene clinic. Visit www.vitalhealthcda.com to learn more about her, view a list of upcoming health classes and read other informative articles. Carling can be reached at (208) 765-1994 and would be happy to answer any questions regarding this topic.