Ki Center Blog

With so many prescription drugs being pulled off the shelves, most recently the drug Avandia, it would seem that someone somewhere should be raising a flag and asking some hard questions.

Why is this country, with all its wealth and resources, one of the lowest rated for life expectancy? Why is iatrogenic disease (health care caused) the number one cause of death in this country, even above heart disease and diabetes?

I strongly believe that our medical establishment has lost sight of a fundamental truth in health and wellness. You must treat the whole person.

Drugs not always the answer

Using toxic chemicals to drug a person's symptom into submission isn't working for the long term. Side effects from these drugs are the cause of many other problems that are then treated with even more drugs. The cycle continues, and a severe decline in health is seen. For the most part, it is the elderly that suffers I believe, more so than the rest of the population. However, I have noticed an increase in the number of clients that are younger now having the same problems as the elderly. I hope this trend doesn't continue, but unfortunately, unless we as a nation re-examine the national health care system, I believe it will continue.

There is room enough in our health care system for alternative practitioners and allopathic (traditional) practitioners to work together. I have had the opportunity to share my information and findings with a few of my clients physicians. It is refreshing to find a physician open enough to discuss what I find and what course of action I take to correct the imbalances. The treatment is enhanced when qualified alternative practitioners and traditional medicine is combined. The patient benefits, they get better quicker and their health care costs go down as the need for long term medication is eliminated.

Profit over health

Too much emphasis has been put on drugs for everything and nothing but drugs for anything. The profits are too high to stop and the lobbyists are too numerous to ignore. Frankly I think the emphasis is on money and profit and not on the individual. There is a good reason why more people are migrating to holistic practitioners and alternative therapies. People want more choice in their health care. They are becoming more educated about alternatives, and with detailed information available on the internet have more resources to better educate themselves.

Alternative therapies work. Nutritional deficiencies are rampant in this country and no amount of chemistry will change that. Much of the heart disease in this country could be alleviated by simple additions of key phytonutrients to the diet. Balancing the energetic and emotional components of health is a much better choice than toxic, side effect laden drugs for depression. My case files are full of people weaned off of heavy depression medications and now living drug free and happy.

Western medicine does not get it

My concept of an ideal health care system would be one that each person has the ability to choose which type of treatment to participate in. The insurance would cover any qualified practitioner and its components. Allopathic and alternative professionals could and would work together for the good of the patient and holistic (whole body, mind and spirit) care would be the norm.

Most physicians will tell you that vitamins and minerals don't work. They will tell you that studies have shown no significant improvement in conditions when vitamins and minerals were used. And quite frankly, in most cases they are correct. However the use of synthetic, fractionated nutrients will never give you the same results as clinically pure, whole food phytonutrients. There is a huge difference between a vitamin you buy in the local market and a true whole food nutrient that is tested to your body for efficacy and accuracy.

It's about balance

At the Ki Center we practice true clinical bio-chemistry. In addition, we balance the emotions, structure and energetic components of the body. In other words; we treat the whole body. And whenever possible, we will work with your regular doctor and offer the information to him or her and extend the hand of cooperation.

Each modality of health care has its merits. Each has value and can be incredibly beneficial. I will be the first to acknowledge that I cannot help everyone. Some folks are so devastated by illness and disease that strong drugs are the only answer, and are the most appropriate. I cannot however agree that drugs are the only answer to all maladies. I have witnessed many people get better with simple phytonutrient protocols, wean off of prescription drugs and finally have relief from years of discomfort.

These days, chronic stress and anxiety seems to be increasing with more and more prevalence. I can speak from first hand experience as I have been going through some serious issues this past year myself. Fully a third of my new clients are experiencing a marked increase in their stress levels with the associated physical symptoms.

Besides the obvious problems of employment, economics and world problems, there seems to be a general feeling of uncertainty about life in general. We are all feeling it; its just a matter of to what degree.

How it affects you

Long term chronic stress and anxiety will wreak havoc on your immune system, the adrenal glands, and the pancreas. As a result you will have a constant roller coaster ride of adrenalin, high and low blood sugar fluctuations, and other symptoms like the lack of quality sleep. When the blood sugar goes up and down over and over, it can create the same symptoms that diabetics experience. Unfortunately, if you do not address the cause of the stress, whether it is in relationships, your job or whatever, the physical load on your body, gone unchecked, will send you on downward spiral of poor health.

What helps

The protocols I use to stabilize mood and brain chemistry, as well as the blood sugar and support of the adrenal glands, can help tremendously to balance out physical symptoms. As to the cause of the stress, you will need to take a heart felt look at what is working in your life and what is not.

Deep breathing can help more than you know. I've talked about this simple yet effective practice in previous columns. Begin by finding a quiet place that you can have five minutes of uninterrupted space. Start with a deep full breath through the nose, hold for a count of three and exhale through the mouth. Do this for at least five repetitions. You will be amazed at how it can help you to relax. The nice thing about this simple technique is it can be done anywhere, even while driving. I am not saying that this alone will reverse your stress, but it can help. When you combine the nutritional support with this breathing technique, you will at least give your body and mind a fighting chance to cope with all that is troubling you.

Anti-anxiety drugs should be used as a last resort. Not only are the side effects problematic, you can risk the potential for dependence on these drugs as well. In most cases, I can find a nutritional or herbal protocol that will benefit your emotional stress without the use of prescription medications. Or if already taking them, it can help you to begin the weaning process to get off of them.

No amount of nutrition or drugs for that matter, will correct the problem until you address the initial cause. Whether you get into some counseling, psychotherapy or support from friends and family, you must correct the cause or struggle with the stress and anxiety.

Another powerful tool I can recommend is exercise. If you can find the time and motivation for daily aerobic exercise, the benefit from this activity can also add to the healing process. Whether you go to a gym or simply power walk around the neighborhood, the release of endorphins and the use of excess adrenalin will benefit your body chemistry. And of course proper exercise will help to stabilize blood sugar and help you sleep.

Don't wait too long

The worst thing you can do is nothing. And men, this is directed at you more than women. We men have a tendency to compartmentalize our stress and anxiety. It does no good to ignore the problem or just brush it aside for later consideration. It will continue to eat at your emotions, and can ultimately result in damage to the one support system you do have—your family. Most women are innately aware that talking about the emotions and addressing the problem is healthy. It will probably not take away the stress but it can help to deflate the sometimes overwhelming feeling of fear and uncertainty that goes along with chronic stress and anxiety.

The extreme amount of stressors in our society these days are not going to go away quickly. The best advice I can give is to buckle in for a wild ride. Support your body chemistry, get a support system in place and do all you can do, like the breathing and exercise, to help support the bodys needs during this difficult time.