Imagine having ambiguous yet persistent symptoms. You try everything you can to alleviate them on your own. You seek medical advice from your Western medical doctor, and they either dismiss them or can’t pinpoint the cause. It feels as though you’ve tried everything and keep reaching dead ends.
With permission I shared part one of a patient’s story last week. They were frustrated and overwhelmed by the lack of empathy and clarity from the “traditional” medical system. They set up a new patient consultation with me so that I could get up to speed on their health history.
Part two of this patient’s story (shared with permission):
“I could not get off the couch. I was in a downward spiral. I felt so unhealthy and unmotivated. My stomach was distended from bloating, and I was hesitant to eat. I started to feel lethargic and pretty depressed.
A friend reminded me that Dr. Graves, who practices functional medicine, offers food sensitivity testing. I’d heard about naturopathic medicine and functional testing, but I felt nervous about moving forward.
Still, my previous doctors hadn’t suggested anything like what Dr. Graves had to offer. They seemed to be focusing on weight as the issue and not getting to the underlying cause of my symptoms. Everything I tried to this point hadn’t worked.”
I assured my new patient that they were not alone in feeling disappointed and frustrated with the system of traditional medical treatment. That scenario is common with people who are seeking alternatives to conventional medicine. It didn’t surprise me that up to this point my patient’s symptoms hadn’t been fully addressed. Sometimes, it takes more time and effort to figure out the underlying cause of the dysfunction to feel functional.
I am happy to facilitate the process of helping patients find optimal wellness. It starts with a patient’s curiosity and commitment to finding a healthy way to live that is just right for them. It means not settling or taking a “diagnosis” for granted. Naturopathic medicine encourages individuals to be proactive about their healthcare by educating and empowering them.
When this patient reached out for a new patient consultation, I knew there was so much more we could do for them. I assured them this was not a dead end but rather a jumping-off point. I have helped thousands of patients struggling with health issues that their regular doctor hasn’t been able to help. After listening to them talk about their symptoms, I determined that nutritional testing and some in-depth labs would be an excellent place to start.
Functional testing has become so convenient. At CNMA we have an online portal that enables our clients to order testing kits (functional tests and comprehensive lab work) that get shipped directly to your home. In this instance, my patient was directed to our website where they signed up to receive the kit by mail. Results are received in ~two weeks and I will sit down again with them for a follow-up appointment to discuss the lab report and options for next steps. In the next blog post in this series, I’ll share the results of my work with this patient by walking you through an individual treatment plan in terms of optimal wellness.
Are you curious about nutritional testing or other types of functional testing for your “dead-end” symptoms? I would love to talk more about your situation to see if we can get to the root cause and create a personalized plan for you. I offer a complimentary call for new patients. Contact me by calling 303-688-6698 or scheduling online.
Dr. Graves is a naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist in Castle Rock, Colorado. His practice, Colorado Natural Medicine & Acupuncture, serves Larkspur, Palmer Lake, Monument, and the greater Colorado Springs area.
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