Type two diabetes, inflammatory conditions of all kinds, hypertension, difficulties with weight, and blood lipid imbalances are just the tip of the iceberg when describing the kinds of chronic issues that often are resolved, or at least improved, with a comprehensive program that includes dietary change, nutritional support, stress reduction, and exercise.
These positive results are possible because we’re addressing what’s actually causing these health related issues in a very comprehensive manner.
It’s important to remember that the body’s natural impulse is to heal, and that it heals most efficiently when we remove the obstacles to healing. Regardless of the named illness, a comprehensive approach to healing offers us the best chance of being successful.
While there’s always the possibility that a natural substance alone will help to relieve a symptom, like using cherry juice for arthritis, or aloe for an irritable bowel, it’s still a limited, symptomatic treatment that’s not addressing the root cause of that illness … or of other potential illnesses in the future.
Infrequently, the cause of an illness is simple and isolated. For example, at times the removal of a single offensive agent like gluten, will resolve a longstanding chronic condition. However, simple solutions are not the norm, nor or they effective strategies for dealing with the complexity of modern illness.
In my office I do my best to address the root cause of issues as comprehensively as possible because this ultimately saves patients time and money.
So, what are the root causes that generate the inflammation and toxicity that gives rise to many, if not most illnesses?
- too many carbs … especially sugar
- too many grains … especially gluten containing grains like wheat
- not enough fat … especially good fat
- not enough water … especially good water
- too much unresolved stress (which is something I always assess for with biofeedback equipment)
- poor sleep
- not enough exercise
- toxins … both environmental and those generated via the intestines
- nutritional deficiencies … so be sure to add whole foods and vitamin D3, probiotics, and omega 3’s at a minimum
- Here’s the dietary handout that I give to new patients
Addressing the root causes mentioned above assists greatly in repairing communication between the gut, brain, and immune system … which together provide the foundation for overall health and well-being.
Addressing what I’ve just described is something that most everyone can at least begin to do at home under their own supervision. Following these recommendations as consistently as you can for a three month period will give you the best chance for healing or effective prevention.
By the three month point you’ve built a wonderful foundation for healing … and your body is already repairing tissues and detoxifying more efficiently. If you’re not experiencing a significant improvement in your symptoms or overall health and well-being at this point this may signal that its necessary to detoxify more specifically or more deeply.
Even though more specific and involved detoxification processes may be required at this time, it should be comforting to know that you’ve already mastered the most difficult part … and the most indispensable part … the diet and lifestyle changes.
Steven Templin, D.O.M., Dipl. Ac., is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine and nationally certified acupuncturist, specializing in Self-Regulation Training (to resolve the omnipresent stress-induced component of illness), Energy Medicine, Mind-Body Medicine, and Diet and Nutrition to repair the Gut-Immune-Brain Axis.
In his Self-Regulation training program he shares the science and most importantly the effective practices for transforming physical health and emotional well-being. Self-Regulation practices will greatly enhance the effectiveness of other therapeutic interventions, like diet and lifestyle modifications.
He teaches and consults online, and sees patients at the Natural Medicine Center in Lakeland, Florida. You can learn more about Dr. Templin and his healing program by visiting www.newmedicalmodel.com.
Steve is a retired Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Acupuncture Physician, and HeartMath Trauma-Sensitive Certified Practitioner with over 35 years of clinical experience in the fields of Energy Medicine, Energy Psychology, and Biofeedback. 