According to the Peterson-Kaiser Health System Tracker age-related mortality rates between 1980-2015 have steadily fallen, however, we experience a slightly lowered Healthcare Access and Quality Index compared to many developed countries. Also, Americans experience a significant higher disease burden and have higher rates of medical, medication, and lab errors compared to many developed nations. In a 2010 survey from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health older Americans over 50, half of those surveyed have used Complementary and Alternative medical methods (CAM). Most of them used herbal or dietary supplements, while a smaller percentage used massage, chiropractic and acupuncture care. The Blue Cross Blue Shield article from 4/24/2019, The Health of Millennials outlines that younger adults suffer from the top 10 conditions at an earlier age compared to previous decades. Article here.

As the population suffers multi-modality approaches have shown to be helpful.

Chinese medicine is about 4,000 years old and includes herbal medicine, acupuncture, qi gong, tui na massage, gua sha scraping therapy, cupping therapy and diet therapy. Traditional Chinese Medicine is the current style practiced in China, however, there are many other styles that are taught throughout the world, such as French, Korean, or Vietnamese styles. The Japanese, for example, created blended styles using the best from Chinese and western medicine. Using palpation can give immediate feedback during acupuncture treatments which determines whether a certain point combination is giving immediate results. Searching the scientific Medline database for the keyword acupuncture gives over 30,000 entries marking it the most researched from of complementary medicine. Similar results can be found searching for Chinese herbal medicine. You can watch educational videos on herbal medicine here.

Functional medicine is defined as an alternative medicine that focuses on improving physiological function as a primary method of improving the health of patients with chronic disease. It is a science-based field that is grounded in the biochemistry of each individual’s physiology, and is patient-centered. It looks at health as a web-like interconnectedness between organ and endocrine systems which work synergistically together like a finely tuned orchestra, rather than individual systems functioning autonomously and without any effect on each other.

For example, functional medicine principles tell us that digestive problems can impact neurotransmitters, thereby influencing moods and feelings; thyroid imbalances affect digestion, potentially leading to poor absorption, high cholesterol, and gallstone formation; immunological factors can promote cardiovascular disease; and dietary imbalances can lead to hormonal problems.

Nutrition is a complex topic with many differing opinions and diets. There are pros and cons to all of these approaches, and there is no one-size-fits-all diet. However, there is value in revisiting the nutritional wisdom of our ancestors through the dietary discoveries and recommendations of Weston A. Price, the dentist who traveled the world researching a dozen indigenous groups who had not been exposed to processed foods. These tribal people were remarkable for their perfect teeth, robust physique, pleasant dispositions and remarkable fertility as described here. Diets are, ideally, custom-tailored to the needs of the patient and the particular condition that is treated. Factoring in principles of functional and Chinese medicine aids in this process.

Homeopathy is an energetic therapy that has many applications for health and psychological well-being. Homeopathics are microdoses of substances derived from plants, minerals, or animals that stimulate a natural healing response. The Banerji Protocols, a style of homeopathy, developed in Calcutta, India, provides useful remedies for emotions that impact our attitudes about abundance such as fear, grief, anxiety, insomnia and sugar cravings. More information about homeopathy can be found here.

Dr. Schüssler's Trace Mineral Salts follow the principles of the homeopathic theory laid out by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, the "Father of Homeopathy." Among his successors was Dr. Wilhelm H. Schūssler (1821-1898), a homeopathic physician, who was troubled by the vast array and volume of homeopathic medicines being used in the early history of homeopathic medicine. Dr. Schūssler wanted to find an easier way to use homeopathy for his patients. He carefully followed the work of Dr. Rudolf Ludwig Carl Virchow, often referred to as the "Father of Modern Cellular Pathology." Dr. Virchow taught that all diseases are based upon a change in function or condition of cells in the body. This theory led Schūssler to analyze the basic components of the body, a field of study called "cellular research."

Dr. Schūssler discovered a common pattern of twelve salts, or biochemical minerals, to be not only prevalent, but critical for healthy physiological functioning in the human body. His studies led him to conclude that dysfunctions in the human body were provoked by deficiencies in these cellular minerals. After Dr. Schüssler‘s death, as biochemical research advanced, 21 more trace mineral salts were discovered.

All life is fueled by reactions between various chemical elements which are known as nutrients. These chemical elements, also known as trace mineral salts, are needed in small amounts so our bodies can function optimally.

Trace mineral salts, in particular, help facilitate many biochemical reactions; are important building blocks for enzyme synthesis; act as builders of tissue, including connective tissue; serve as anti-oxidants; support growth and development; optimize neurological function; support the blood and vascular system; improve metabolic functions of tissues and organs; slow the oxidation or aging of tissues; are needed for hormone synthesis, and are required for normal sex organ development.

Unfortunately, hundreds of years of poor agricultural practices, including the use of inorganic fertilizers, have depleted minerals found in soil. Therefore, even if we purchase organic, local, farm-grown food it is unlikely to contain the minerals needed for optimal physiology. Without a proper cellular mineral reservoir, you couldn't think, bend at your joints, stand up straight, digest food, or eliminate toxins. Deficiency of one or more of these minerals puts your body out of balance and into "dis-ease," where your energy drops, you may experience unclear thinking or depression, or may lose emotional balance. Facial analysis aides in the diagnosis of specific minerals that may be missing in an individual. Anyone can buy and use these trace mineral salts, without fear of toxicity. This includes pregnant or nursing women, old or young alike, those taking medications, and even those using other natural therapies.