integrative alternative holistic medi- cine and sees a new breed of informed patients that are taking responsibility for their health and seeking to create a 21st-century model for the doctor- patient relationship. “My patients’ personal research inspires me to follow up with my own, so that I am continu- ally learning about the benefits of new modalities,” advises Ying, who notes that this new doctor-patient relationship should be a partnership approach. Terri Evans, an


acupuncturist, doctor of Oriental medicine and owner of TAE Healthy Aging Center, agrees with Ying’s approach. “Patients are surprised to hear that I don’t treat dis-


well as in obstetrics and gynecology. Like Martin, James


Goldman, a doctor of chiropractic, acupunctur- ist and owner of Gold- man Chiropractic, refers patients out for needed services if he cannot provide them.


dysfunction, hormone replacement and sexual issues.


James Goldman


Terri Evans


ease, but rather act as a partner, to help them magnify the importance of their health,” explains Evans, who sends first-time clients to LabCorp, in North Naples, where blood and urine samples are taken for evaluation. She reviews the results of a nutritional blood analy- sis with her client, along with providing them with a customized educational booklet that she compiles in order to specifically address their needs. “It covers everything from the func- tions of particular organs and glands in need of balancing to recommended lifestyle and nutritional changes,” she says, emphasizing that patients should take an active role in improving their health by adopting preventive measures and becoming knowledgeable about complementary and alternative options. “Few individuals


realize that acupuncture can play a preventive role in a wellness program focused on reducing the susceptibility to disease,” notes David Martin, an acupuncturist, doctor of


“Because every individual’s problem has many components, Goldman Chiropractic has two on-site massage therapists,” Goldman advises. “I like working hand-in-hand with them, because they are well educated in structural reintegration techniques like St. John’s Neuromuscular Massage and Upledger CrainioSacral Therapy.” This collaborative attitude serves the patients as much as it sometimes does the traditional medical community. “If a patient isn’t showing a 50 percent improvement in their condition within four weeks,” notes Goldman, “I refer them out for whatever they need—an orthopedic surgeon, physical therapist or neurologist.”


A crusader for patient edification, as well as for his own continuing education, Jim Occhio- grosso is a master herbal- ist and natural health practitioner who stays up-to-date on integra- tive medicine in order to


Focusing on Functional Medicine A major CAM trend is functional medicine; personalized health care that emphasizes primary prevention and un- derlying causes, instead of symptoms, when dealing with serious, chronic disease. Pioneered by Mark Hyman, a medical doctor and bestselling au- thor, functional medicine is based on cutting-edge science and offers a new way to understand and treat chronic illnesses ranging from diabetes to de- pression; heart disease to hypertension; autoimmune disorders to autism; and Alzheimer’s to anxiety. Its core con- cept posits that chronic illness results from imbalances in the body’s key physiological systems. When inflam- mation, blood sugar imbalance, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, hormonal problems and other systemic upsets occur, the body spirals out of balance. Such imbalances, in conjunction with poor diet, lack of essential nutrients, emotional stress, environmental toxins, lack of exercise and other lifestyle is- sues, set the stage for the development of chronic disease.


Jim Occhiogrosso


David Martin


Oriental medicine and owner of the Lotus Blossom Clinic. “Western medi- cine sometimes has the right answer; however, I think more often, it’s better to work in concert and integrate the best of both worlds.” Martin frequently works with area chiropractors and on fertility issues with Jacob L. Glock, an M.D. who is board-certified in fertil- ity and reproductive endocrinology, as


advocate for his clients’ health, main- tain his informative websites (Pros- tateHealthNaturally.com and Health- NaturallyToday.com) and provide an educational monthly newsletter. “I read articles on many reputable websites, such as Medscape.com, Medlines. com, ScienceDaily.com, Natural- HealthScience.org, BioMedCentral. com, NaturalNews.com, and Mercola. com,” says Occhiogrosso. “I also read volumes of books, such as those written by Bill Gottleib, the former editor-in- chief of Rodale Books and Prevention Magazine Health Books.” The author of Your Prostate, Your Libido, Your Life: Natural Solutions for Common Prostate Problems, Occhiogrosso specializes in male and female health and helps men and women be proactive in find- ing natural solutions for health issues including, but not limited to, erectile


Functional medicine provides a method for rebalancing the body’s underlying systems and addressing lifestyle issues that contribute to health challenges. The process unleashes the body’s inherent healing forces, and chronic disease is often resolved natu- rally and quickly, frequently without the need for costly pharmaceutical medications or invasive surgeries. Traditionally trained doctors, health practitio- ners and chiropractors such as Robert Gilliland, D.C., founder of South- west Florida Natural Health Center, attend Hyman’s functional


Robert Gilliland


medicine conferences to learn how to help patients achieve vibrant well- ness. “Functional medicine is now the foundation of my practice,” he says. “I’m focused on helping my patients to achieve optimal health, which is why I’m not focused on disease care,” remarks Gilliland, who likes to suggest that his patients with thyroid issues read


natural awakenings January 2012 37


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72