the healthcare system still doesn't "get it"

I have been doing this for 5 years and have just about seen it all, but this week I am COMPLETELY EXHAUSTED with stories of conventional medicine overtreating every symptom and abnormality with a prescription or a surgery. And the new healthcare system is going to allow more Americans access to care? That is a BAD thing as far as I'm concerned.

It's as if doctors are now in the business of customer service and freely give out a prescription or surgery to give immediate relief. The problem is they are wrong for two reasons:

1. These quick and/or aggressive fixes rarely improve the root reason for the concern in question
2. For the most part, the patient wants "care". That means they want to hear they are going to be fine, or that what is happening is normal and will resolve. They don't just want a pill to make it go away or some fancy-named diagnosis (exception: lots of patients still in appropriately want antibiotics for illnesses that do not need them).

Instead, patients are sent on aggressive and side-effect laden wild goose chases with surgeries, CT scans and other procedures that put them at risk and increase their worry that something really bad is happening for a symptom that will go away in time or improve with some simple lifestyle change.

My best advice (beside coming in to visit with one of our practitioners ;) is to wait it out. Whatever it is, wait it out. Now, on rare occasion there are signs and symptoms that are present that demand attention, no doubt. But always err on the side of taking care of yourself: get more sleep, breathe deeply, eat whole foods, laugh. If things worsen instead of stay the same or improve, go find someone you trust. Don't have a physician you trust, go find one. I have to believe that some still exist. Just tell them you want their care, respect and opinion, not a pill.

Have a story of when time healed. Please share...

fermented vegetables

I am not exactly sure what took us so long to try and ferment our vegetables ourselves. Doing this is one way to ensure daily probiotic intake for you and your family.

When in Seattle last month, we had pickled peppers that tasting amazing. Crunchy, lightly salty and fresh was a whole new experience.

So we found a recipe at Whole Life Nutrition Kitchen and tried it. The result was fabulous. The kids at the cabbage, cauliflower and carrots we did with dill until their plates were spotless. I used them on my eggs the next morning.

So like all good nutrition finds, we taking it up a notch. Our own pickles and adding chili pepper to another batch. The perfect solution to a great harvest from your garden or Farmer's Market. Enjoy.

Have you fermented veggies? Please share your story in the comments section.

the most successful patients

Our clients come to see us for a large variety of health concerns. The most common reasons are: Fatigue, digestive issues, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, and anxiety/panic or depression. They have been in and out of the health care system over the years, been through lots of testing and are largely told that everything is normal and sometimes that things must be, "in your head."

While the testing, specific supplementation recommendations and other therapies are crucial for getting one's health back on track, there is a common theme in the patients that have the most success in reaching their health goals. Those that truly invest their time and energy in whole foods nutrition and find a go-to stress management therapy get to the root issue faster, with more intensity and create a more stable foundation for health than everyone else.

For this reason, we want to make a greater commitment to providing support and education around these crucial pieces. This means making avaible services that are convenient and less expensive than one-on-one counseling. We are now offering group visits to meet with Meghann for nutrition support. Chances are lots of folks are struggling with the same issues and concerns you are. Meeting in an hour group visit to discuss nutrition can take your health to the next level. We are also starting group stress management sessions with our nurse practitioner using Heartmath.

Call or email (clinic@gladdmd.com) to sign up.

easter seals gluten free event

It was so good to see so many of you come out for the Easter Seals Gluten Free Event.  Let's continue the conversation and learn from each other about how to improve the health of our kids.  I'd love to hear your feedback on the event, so feel free to post comments below.  A few pictures from the day...