Behind the scenes of my health journey...
I began my undergraduate studies at 26; which led to medical school and residency (translation: long, intense hours). Additionally, I was married with small children.
Probably because I was young, I was able to handle that level of emotional, mental, and physical stress.
Until one day I couldn't anymore.
In 1995, I had an established private practice as a successful podiatrist. As a business owner, physician, husband, and father, I was juggling a lot. The breaking point came when I started feeling crushing chest pain up to three times a week, extreme fatigue, and a number of other health concerns that included: skin changes, unpredictable balance, and frustrating forgetfulness.
I went from specialist to specialist in search of answers:
Cardiologists, neurologists, endocrinologist, pulmonologoists, and rheumatologists...to no avail. My quest lasted two long years.
Eventually I ended up (thank goodness) in the office of a talented and forward-thinking allergist who tested my body for formaldehyde sensitivity. Aldehydes are toxic substances I was exposed to on a regular basis. They were present in x-ray developing solution, sterilizing agents, operating rooms and cast materials I used.
To say I had to make some changes is an understatement.
In fact, I had to completely re-think my career and make some serious lifestyle changes to detoxify and heal my body.
I left podiatry and received specialized training in the areas of functional medicine and clinical nutrition so I could help people just like me: people who can't find solid answers to the root causes of their (or their loved ones) heath issues.
I have an uncommon empathy and sensitivity for my patients...
Because I know from personal experience how frustrating it is to feel misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or given a pharmaceutical treatment plan that creates additional problems with significant side effects.
As somebody who wasn't getting answers and had to give up my career, I became passionate about new ways of diagnostic testing for my patients, to more quickly discover the root cause of their health issues.
In my functional medicine practice, I work with the bio-individuality of each of my patients to create treatment plans that include natural agents (supplements, herbs, nutraceuticals and homeopathics), nutritional and lifestyle changes, and pharmaceuticals—if necessary, to prod a patient's physiology back to an optimal state.
In addition, I educate my patients about their condition, to empower them to take charge of their own health and healing!