Why do some women seem to move easily through menopause while others suffer greatly? Why do some menopausal women respond well to hormone therapy while others get little relief? The answer may have less to do with sex hormones and more to do with imbalances in the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal-thyroid (HPAT) axis.
A holistic, integrative approach can often slow the neurodegenerative processes that underlie Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, and many other neurological conditions. But neurodegenerative disorders are typically very complicated, with multiple comorbidities, so it can be difficult even to know where to begin. A seasoned naturopathic physician offers guidance.
“Dr. Bastyr was a true a physician-healer. And he was always learning,” Dr. Joe Pizzorno told Holistic Primary Care. The founder of Bastyr University, now celebrating it’s 40th year, reflects on his mentor and main inspiration.
It began with a dream, the zeal of youth, and the knowledge of a few elders. Oh, and $200 in cash. Forty years later, Bastyr University is a vibrant nucleus of naturopathic medicine, with two thriving campuses, thousands of graduates, multiple degree tracks, a robust research agenda, and an uncanny knack for making waves far greater than its modest size would predict. In this in-depth feature, HPC talked to the school’s founders, current students, and early supporters to reflect on the vast legacy of this institution and its future directions.
Over the last 10 years, the naturopathic profession has experienced major advances and significant challenges. Some are unique to our profession; others we share with all holistically minded professionals as we take our places in American health care.
Regenerative Injection Therapy (RIT), also known as prolotherapy, is an effective, low-cost treatment for treating musculoskeletal problems, and to truly repair overuse injuries. Yet it remains sadly underutilized in the US.
Last year, Hawaii naturopaths won a major victory when the state legislature expanded their independent prescribing authority. No sooner had the ink dried then the Hawaii Medical Assocation, with blessings from the AMA, sought to repeal the new law. The opposition is troubling given the dire shortage of primary care MDs in Hawaii and many other states.
What happens when a naturopathic doctor & his girlfriend get the H1N1 flu? A whole lot of coughing, sneezing, fevering and bed rest, that’s what. Swine flu is nasty, says Dr. Michael Traub, but for most people it’s not likely to be life-threatening.
Vitamin D deficiency has been linked with everything from psoriasis and osteoporosis to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and autoimmune diseases. But the relationships may not be as simple as we’d like to believe. Neither is the relationship between sun exposure and vitamin D production in the skin.
Hypothyroidism is very common, and it has serious health consequences, including cardiovascular disease, obesity, menorrhagia, infertility, polycystic ovarian syndrome, depression, psoriasis, and urticaria. But you’ll often miss it if you rely solely on conventional diagnostic criteria.
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