Published August 25, 2001 in the North Island Weekender
I was told early in my career as a naturopathic doctor (ND), that if I listened to the patient for five minutes they would tell me what was wrong, in the next five minutes they would give me a diagnosis and in the final five minutes they would give me a hint at a possible treatment! Many patients have come in saying “I think it is my gallbladder but the ultrasound and blood tests are normal so my MD does nothing.” In my office I use the EAV machine to detect energetic weaknesses in organs before they show up in traditional medical tests. The liver and gallbladder are the two organ systems to be out of balance in most people. I also look at blood tests differently than MD’s, which can also give me a clue.
The best thing a doctor can do it listen to their patients. ND’s are experts at listening and determining the causes of disease. Once you know the cause you can prevent it, right? It is much easier to prevent disease than to treat it. This is the basis of naturopathic medicine. However humans being as they are usually wait until they have symptoms before they want to do work on their health.
Here is what I look for on my evaluation of patients. Usually by the second or third visit I like to do a simple physical exam on everyone. Excessive ear wax indicates an essential fatty acid deficiency; if the gums are unhealthy and the teeth have numerous silver fillings and root canals I know this person needs extra antioxidants and detoxification programs to assist their liver; the blood pressure (B/P) may show either too high or too low both of which I want to treat as naturally as possible; an abdominal exam can tell me how congested the bowel may be and how tender the liver, gallbladder and stomach are; I always go over a breast exam with my female patients; an evaluation of the back and arches tells me if there is a structural imbalance that should be addressed and finally I check height and weight for baseline information.
Mr. Jones came to me complaining of headaches that had started after he had a root canal. He told me he thought it was the tooth that was causing the headaches. He just wanted the tooth extracted but the dentist had talked him into a root canal. I agreed with him and suggested that he have the tooth extracted. He returned one more time after the extraction very pleased that his headaches were now gone! In the book “The Root Canal Cover-up” by Meinig, it is explained how teeth can be the focus of chronic diseases.
Marg, age 45, came in looking for natural treatments for B/P of 140/95. I suggested that she purchase her own B/P cuff so she could check it at home to verify that her B/P was indeed elevated. 40% of people who are on blood pressure medication don’t need to be as their B/P is only high in the doctor’s office. She brought in her unit to make sure she was doing it right and sure enough her B/P was normal at home. I monitored her and her blood pressure was never elevated in my office. Of course the healthy program I had recommended for her which included a good calcium magnesium supplement, may have also helped her.
The causes we look for include internal toxins which are generated by the body due to organ weaknesses; external toxins in the air and water; structural causes such as found in tingling of extremities; heredity although many of these can be modified by nutrition; health in utero and the early months of life; dental, mental, emotional and spiritual issues.
These are the tools that a good health coach (ND) will use in evaluating your health concern. Are you ready to make some changes? This long journey starts with a single step. Just do it!
Dr. Pincott has been practicing naturopathic medicine since 1985 and is currently practicing in Campbell River. She can be reached at (250) 286-3655 or www.DrPincott.com