The difference between science and various forms of holistic medicine-most particularly Chinese medicine is that having a different way through which to view illness and health often opens up different possibilities for treatment. I was speaking to someone recently who struglles with severe depression and anxiety and has had to turn to prescription medication on and off throughout her life. We have been working on this issue with her and the way in which we have been addressing it provides remarkable results. She asked me if I could explain. And I can, however, in this case, there is no way fro me to "translate" the effects into Western thinking. In some cases, there definitely are, and in others not-because it is not that we use natural substances to substitute for synthetic ones and call it natural medicine. On the contrary, we are working within a different paradigm and with a different methodology which allows the body to make changes it may not be able to do otherwise. This is the great thing. And as I always say, if a person needs brain surgery or a broken bone set, we are not the people to be coming to. But, this is the beauty of having different medicines for different purposes. In chronic illness, I believe that alternative medicine shines. Of course I am biased towards Chinese medicine, but there are many approaches.
The next example is an account from a patient who had issues with her thyroid in addition to her IC. When I asked her to write something, I think she thought I was asking for a testimonial, which is not at all what I was asking for. I included everything she wrote, but, what is interesting is the difference in the thyroid levels. What is important is that her levels were not changing with western meds for years from what I understand, and with this treatment they began to correct themselves. Why this is is interesting is not to boast we are so great-that is why I am saying it is not a testimonial. Why this is interesting is because my focus was not her thyroid-my focus was her body. I did not give her things to correct these specific levels-but they began to correct themselves. This happened through viewing the body through the paradigm of Chinese medicine and with the addition of the ICAMA overlay of that. Please take a look at this account, it is interesting.
Patient account:
I was diagnosed with IC when I was 29 in the year of 1999, and with Hashimoto’s Hypothyroid when I
was 36, in 2006. I was on Elmiron for 14 years; fortunately it was the only medication I took for my IC.
For the Hashimoto’s I’ve been taking a compounded T3/T4, which I have been able to reduce
significantly since beginning care with Dr. Brizman. February 2012, was my first appointment. I never
thought having Hashimoto’s, another autoimmune condition would be a blessing, but it is the way I have
been able to gauge my healing with my IC and my body in general. I monitor my thyroid levels about
every 3 months since one of my goals with Dr. Brizman is to try to reduce my thyroid medication as
much as possible (with her doctor's knowledge and review). Below I’ve listed two tests, Thyroglobulin Antibodies and Thyroid Peroxidase
Antibodies, which have been tested almost every year. The higher the values, the more antibodies my
body is producing to fight off my thyroid. The more antibodies, the more inflammation. After 2 ½ years
with Dr. Brizman, I couldn’t be happier with the decrease in my thyroid inflammation and IC symptoms,
but I also know there is more work to be done.
Thyroglobulin AB Normal Values between 0 – 1.0 IU/mL
2010 209.0
2013 (6 mos after starting program) 57.9
2014 test not ordered
July 2015 1.0 (normal)
Thyroid Peroxidase AB Normal Values between 0.8 -8.9 IU/mL
2010 513.0
January 2012 (1 month prior to Dr. B) 326.0
2013 131.0
2014 203.0
Feb 2015 271.0
July 2015 172.0
I hope these were interesting.
Dr.M
