unwanted pregnancy, and their contact with drugs and alcohol. I find it essen- tial to ask my teenage patients direct and specific questions in a non-judgmental atmosphere. It is also essential that they understand that their naturopathic or Chinese medicine practitioner is not a parent, and will not fill a parental role. They will instead serve as an ally and partner who will help them navigate pit- falls of the teenage experience. Through open and thorough conver-
sation, followed by a complete physical exam, a holistic picture of the patients’ life emerges. Naturopathic and Chi- nese medicine provide uniquely use- ful perspectives through which we can understand all imbalances. This can range from the simple to the complex. For example, a simple imbalance may be caused by the patients’ inexperi- ence and difficulty sleeping or eating in healthy ways. In this case, gentle edu- cation is often all that is needed. Sex hormones are a slightly more complex concept. Estrogen and testosterone are produced in high levels during our teen- age years and are processed and detoxi- fied by the body through the liver. If the liver is congested through constitutional imbalances, toxins, or disease, excessive amounts of sex hormones can accumu- late in the body. This can lead to mood disorders,
acne, headaches, and many other symp- toms. In this case, the therapeutic ap- proach is to gently detoxify the liver. Increased consumption of leafy green vegetables, increased water intake, herbal supplementation, and exercise may be all that is required to return to a healthy balance. As teenagers age, preexisting food intolerances that did
not cause obvious symptoms in the past can become problematic. These can cause congestion in the liver leading to the aforementioned symptoms. Food in- tolerances can cause a myriad of other concerns as well affecting many body systems. Hyperactivity, inflammatory conditions, and menstrual imbalances can occur. In this case, the physician tests for food intolerances, and follows with specific dietary instructions. On the mental, emotional, and spiri-
tual level, imbalances in teenagers often become dramatic because everything in the patients’ life is changing. It is es- sential that the practitioner be available for the teenager to address any private or confusing issues. Having experienced professional input is often all that the adolescent needs to allay their fears and to help them feel empowered to make positive choices. However, imbalances on these levels often require deeper work. Through the use of homeopathic medicines, energy medicine, counsel- ing, acupuncture, and many other ap- proaches, mental and emotional wellbe- ing becomes possible. Naturopathic and Chinese medi-
cine provide our community with many ways to support the profound transition that is the teenage years. Through these deep, gentle, and balancing methods, the teenage patient comes to understand their body, mind and spirit in a profound way. They are provided with all the tools necessary to become healthy, happy, and balanced adults.
Submitted by Lilly-Marie Blecher ND, LAc of Natural Health Associates in Hamden. See ad on page 19.
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