Don’t you just hate feeling like you’re stuck in traffic? You’re stuck on a long stretch of road, there are no turn-offs or off-ramps, and you feel like you’re going nowhere fast. Another classic example many in Christchurch will relate to is knowing where you want to get to, but find that roadworks and diversions are blocking your path, and you’re no longer sure if you’re heading in the right direction or if you can even get to where you want to go.
Sometimes you get lucky. The road opens up, you can accelerate and it feels like you’re on your way. It’s a good feeling, even if you spent much longer stuck in traffic than you thought you were going to be, and you end up being late for your appointment.
Isn’t this the same sometimes with our health? How often does it feel like you’re only given one option of treatment?
The allopathic model, which is the standard, Western model of healthcare doesn’t usually give you many options. Sometimes you can be referred to another doctor for a second opinion, or if you see a specialist, their focus is often in a narrow field, and may not always look at the bigger picture.
The aim here is not to disrespect medical practitioners, but to highlight a system that generally does not give us options when it comes to choosing treatments. There’s a number of reasons as to why this is the case when it comes to healthcare, but that’s not what we’re getting into right now.’
Integrated medicine looks for other opportunities. To continue the ‘stuck in traffic’ metaphor, integrated medicine looks for roundabouts, side roads or off-ramps that may be useful for helping you reach your destination. You can continue in the direction you’re travelling in, but you’re able to try a different path, augmenting or improving your journey.
What could this look like? I help a number of people manage different health conditions, including skin conditions. In some cases, these people will have gone to a number of different doctors who will recommend various treatments of increasing strengths, and sometimes the client continues to use those treatments even though the condition doesn’t resolve. Sometimes these standard solutions can feel a whole lot like being stuck in traffic. You may not be going backwards but equally you’re getting nowhere fast.
When you decide to visit me in my clinic, I’ll ask more questions about your diet and lifestyle. In the process, we may uncover a food allergy or an allergic reaction to a lifestyle factor. Combining my new course of treatment with what your doctor may have prescribed them, we may see conditions that you’ve been managing for months or years simply clear up. You may not even need to apply the prescription treatment anymore.
As an integrated health practitioner, one of the areas I look most closely at is your quality of sleep. How do you relax and what kind of stresses are you under? I look at your exercise routine and your movement, and I also look at your diet and nutrition. These are my four corner pieces to your jigsaw puzzle picture of health.
We may work on a treatment plan together, based on my corner pieces for wellness. Equally, if I believe you’ll benefit from a treatment that isn’t part of my skill set, like a chiropractor, an acupuncturist, or a podiatrist for example, I’ll refer you to a professional that I know and trust. The key for me is to keep you heading in the right direction, and if that means guiding you to a different off-ramp I’m happy to do it.
Do you feel like you’re stuck in your health traffic jam? Do you maybe feel like you’re heading down a road but you’re no longer sure that it’s going in the right direction? Perhaps you feel like you’re going to end up somewhere you didn’t expect?
Consider making an appointment with me and fill out the pre-consult questionnaire, which might highlight some issues you hadn’t thought of before.Just filling out my questionnaire will give us both a better idea of the next step in finding a solution for your health concern, and work towards helping you live well and stay well.
15 Dec
What do you need to reach the next level? To overcome the next obstacle? To find a better, more healthy way of living? Have you heard of a health coach?
06 Apr
At this time when we’re talking about isolation and social distancing, I want to encourage you that it’s not the same as losing the emotional connection to other people. For your wellbeing, how are you staying connected?
Don’t you just hate feeling like you’re stuck in traffic? You’re stuck on a long stretch of road, there are no turn-offs or off-ramps, and you feel like you’re going nowhere fast. Isn’t this the same sometimes with our health?
We’re told so much about food. What’s healthy, what’s good for us. There is so much information out there. New studies every month, it can get a bit confusing. Some of the experts in our industry who are meant to be telling us the ‘right’ or ‘healthy’ things to eat are sometimes dealing with corrupt information.
At this time when we’re talking about isolation and social distancing, I want to encourage you that it’s not the same as losing the emotional connection to other people. For your wellbeing, how are you staying connected?
Coming into winter, what’s your seatbelt of health? What added layer of protection do you need to prevent yourself from serious harm?
The purpose of this website is promoting understanding and awareness of integrated medicine and various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health care provider with any questions regarding a medical condition, treatment or before starting a new health care regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
Stay Well Clinic
C/O 27 Shands Road
Hornby
Christchurch 8042
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